New Zealand
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to New Zealand
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to New Zealand based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, New Zealand does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
Restrictions on short-term stay in New Zealand
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay to New Zealand based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, New Zealand does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
Restrictions on long-term stay in New Zealand
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay to New Zealand based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, New Zealand does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
According to the information available on the website of the New Zealand Immigration Office, stays longer than six months require a chest X-ray and a medical certificate of good health. While this certificate does not include HIV, visas may be denied for a number of other conditions, including Hepatitis B and C, and Tb.
Historic regulations in New Zealand
In 2004, immigration services confirmed that from 2005 immigrants would be tested for HIV. A quota regulation will be implemented, with a maximum of 20 HIV-positive persons accepted per year.
According to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation website, in October 2021, Immigration NZ removed HIV from the list of medical conditions deemed likely to impose significant costs or demands on the New Zealand health system. This means that HIV is no longer automatically considered not to meet the Immigration NZ acceptable standard of health. The individual health circumstances of each visa applicant living with HIV will now be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This removes a significant formal obstacle in the immigration process for many applicants, and was welcomed by UNAIDS.
Treatment access in New Zealand
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in New Zealand. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, in New Zealand HIV treatment is provided free of charge to everyone living with HIV, regardless of their immigration status or eligibility for publicly funded healthcare. To access HIV care, you’ll need to register with a specialist, typically through your local Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) Infectious Diseases or Sexual Health clinic.
In major cities, the following services are available:
- Auckland: The Auckland Community HIV team, offers free, confidential services and treatment.
- Wellington: HIV treatment is available through the Infection Services at Wellington Regional Hospital.
- Christchurch: The Christchurch Sexual Health Service provides treatment options for people living with HIV.
If you are already on HIV treatment, the same medications might not be available in New Zealand. Your local HIV specialist will discuss alternative treatments with you and recommend the best option. If you’re worried about HIV and the immigration process, you can consult a licensed immigration adviser for guidance.
Refugees are usually screened for HIV before reaching New Zealand. Once in New Zealand, they are prioritised to be seen early by the health service during their resettlement.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the New Zealand 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 | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
Share
If you want to refer to this page when travelling and may not have internet access, you can use your browser to Save or Print this page - how you do it will depend on the device and browser you are using.
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.
