Greetings. My husband and I are planning to return to NZ for one year in July - he is a child psychiatrist - they are much in demand in NZ. He worked for six months in AUckland in 2005 and the clinic wants him to return for a year. We submitted all of our visas paperwork with plenty of time to get everything approved for our departure in mid-July as his contract begins August 1. However, the medical assessor has asked for more information. My husband had a cardiac catheterization in 2007 with stents inserted, and he has borderline high glucose and associated borderline elevated levels. He submitted a normal stress test, and all medical reports were positive.
The medical assessor asked for additional bloodtests - basically a repeat of the same ones he had already submitted. They aren't going to be any different than the first ones. The hospital that is going to employ him is trying to put pressure on the medical assessor to come through with a timely and hopefully positive outcome.
I've read a lot of the threads, but I'm wondering if there is a difference in the MA approach to those coming on student visas, permanent immigration or - in our case - a year long stay in an essential skills work area. Does anyone know about this? He will not be covered by NZ health insurance because we will only be there for a year. His health is stable. They are desperate for him to come and work there. Will this make a diffeence?
I'd appreciate any input on this. We've been "promised" a response next week, but I'm concerned they will just ask for more repeat information that won't be any different than what we have already submitted!
I wish we had just applied for six months again and this wouldn't have happened!