🇳🇿 Must I present medical exams for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa?

Volare Editorial | September 12, 2026

Compliance with health standards is a critical component in the evaluation process of the Working Holiday Visa. Immigration New Zealand classifies countries according to their epidemiological risk level, specifically in relation to tuberculosis (TB), which exclusively determines if an applicant must undergo medical tests before receiving the approval of their visa.

Unlike a general health checkup, the Oceanic government looks for a very specific screening. Below, we break down the regulations by passport and the exact protocols you must follow to avoid the rejection of your file.

Summary Board Requirements by Risk Level and Nationality

New Zealand regulations require citizens from countries considered to have an active presence of tuberculosis to carry out preventive sanitary procedures. Conversely, those coming from low-risk nations are exempt from these tests, unless their recent travel history indicates otherwise.

Risk Level (Nationalities)	Health Requirement	Technical Observations
🌎 High Risk: Argentina, Brazil, China, South Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.	Mandatory	It is an exclusive requirement. The applicant must mandatorily undergo a Chest X-ray with an approved physician.
🛡️ Low Risk: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States, Estonia, Finland, France, Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland (Republic), Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Sweden, Turkey, and Uruguay.	Exempt	Applicable if the applicant is considered from a low-risk country and has not recently traveled to risk zones.

eMedical Protocols and Submission Deadlines

For nationalities where the exam is mandatory, it is imperative to visit one of the medical centers specifically authorized (Panel Physicians) by the New Zealand government. You cannot use your regular local hospital. Once the online visa application is completed and the fee is paid, the applicant has a maximum and strict deadline of 15 calendar days to take the X-ray.

The results are not handed to you physically; they are sent electronically and directly to Immigration servers by the medical center via the encrypted eMedical system. Failing to meet this 15-day timeframe results in the automatic cancellation of the process.

The third-country clause: It is fundamental to consider that, even if your home country is classified as low risk (such as Chile, Spain, or the United States), the chest X-ray requirement becomes mandatory if you have stayed for more than 3 months in any high-risk country during the last 5 years.

Master your paperwork with Working Holiday Visa Quest

Scheduling your medical appointment with a Panel Physician within the 15-day timeframe is a race against time. That is why we invite you to register for Working Holiday Visa Quest, our interactive platform that transforms this bureaucratic process into a gamified adventure. With the help of Avi, your virtual copilot, you will have total control of your consular checklist step by step, ensuring you meet your medical deadlines and make no mistakes in your New Zealand application.

More Information at Volare

To find the updated list of authorized medical centers (Panel Physicians) in your city and receive detailed technical assistance regarding your application, we invite you to consult the Official New Zealand Working Holiday Visa Guide on our platform.