Cook Islands
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on entry limiting the entry of people living with HIV.
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for entry.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for study visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on entry.
Restrictions on entry to Cook Islands
We are aware of some official restrictions on entry of people living with HIV to the Cook Islands.
According to UNAIDS, the Cook Islands prohibits entry on the basis of HIV status, and non-nationals living with HIV are deported.
According to the information available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, requirements for all visa types include ‘must meet general requirements related to translations, evidence of identity, character, and health.’
According to the frequently asked questions on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration: ‘A person must have an acceptable standard of health approved by the Cook Islands Ministry of Health. An acceptable standard of health means not having a condition listed in regulations, unlikely to be a danger to public health or impose significant demands on the publicly funded health services of the Cook Islands. The person must be sufficiently well to be able to undertake the activities that they came to the Cook Islands to do.’
Additionally, HIV is part of the conditions listed in the Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 2023 as needing a medical assessment to consider whether it is likely to impose significant costs or demands on the publicly funded health services or special education services of the Cook Islands; and is likely for any other reason to be a danger to public health.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Cook Islands
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in the Cook Islands.
According to UNAIDS, the Cook Islands requires HIV testing for work permits.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Cook Islands
We are aware of some official restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV in the Cook Islands.
According to the information available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, a full health test completed by an approved panel physician is required for stays of six months or more.
The documents required to apply for a long-term stay include medical certificates and there is mention of medical tests. However, it is not clear if these include HIV disclosure or tests. The visa application form contains a field to self declare the following: “I have an acceptable standard of health and have no health conditions that might be a danger to public health or impose significant costs or demands on Cook Islands’ health or special education services.’
Treatment access in Cook Islands
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in the Cook Islands. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to the National Health Information Bulletin 2020-2023, the government provides free healthcare to all students until the age of 18 years and for all pensioners aged 60 years and over. Visitors and short term residents are required to pay. Health services range from public health (inclusive of primary care) to secondary care. There are also a small number of private health providers on the island.
Specialised clinical support services are mainly centralised in Rarotonga, which is the only island with a dedicated pharmacy and radiology staff, as well as a significant number of laboratory technicians and Emergency Medical Technicians. Rarotonga itself acts as a referral centre for complex and critical situations, with patients then being transferred to New Zealand for specialised care.
Between 2020 and 2023, a single case of HIV was confirmed in the Cook Islands in 2023.
Through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Ministry of Health provides ART to confirmed cases including and monitoring CD4 count and viral load testing with samples sent to New Zealand.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Cook Islands page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
