A4.35 Referral to consultant physicians (26/07/1999)

1. Visa and immigration officers must refer medical and X-ray certificates that are not automatically acceptable to a consultant physician who will advise on whether or not the applicants are acceptable on medical grounds (see A4.35.1 below). All NZIS branches or MFAT offices will have a copy of the assessment guide for determining whether medical and X-ray certificates can be accepted without referral..
2. Certificates that need to be referred must be forwarded to:
   1. NZIS London, for referral to their consultant physician, by NZIS branches and MFAT offices in Africa, Europe and Turkey, or
   2. all other NZIS branches and MFAT offices both in New Zealand and overseas to the consultant physician in Wellington, with a stamped self-addressed envelope where appropriate.
3. NZIS branch offices should request any special reports before submitting certificates to a consultant physician, if:
   1. information in the application forms and/or medical forms indicates special medical problems, or
   2. the examining physician recommends a special test.

A4.35.1 Guidelines for assessing medical and X-ray certificates

X-ray reports, with large chest X-ray films attached, should be referred to a consultant physician if:

1. the applicant shows evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis or any other abnormality, or
2. the consultant physician specifically requests the film.

Effective 26/07/1999