Question
Will being HIV positive affect my move to New Zealand?
21 October 2021. Related: All topics, Travel.
I was planning to move to New Zealand with my wife and start a fresh life together. I have just found out that I may be HIV positive. Will this affect my plans to get a job or even the application forms?
Answer
NOTE: In October 2021 further HIV restrictions were removed in New Zealand. See:
https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2021/october/new-zealand-lift-travel-restrictions-hiv
Thank you for your question.
Being HIV positive will not affect you visiting New Zealand. If you are looking to move there permanently being HIV positive will make you ineligible for a residential and working visa.
However, don’t lose hope because Australia is currently reviewing its policies on HIV positive people migrating to live there. The laws are already relaxing and the renewed policies should be in place within the next 1-2 years.
New Zealand immigration would not comment on whether they would also change their policies when I contacted them. In the past Australia and New Zealand have adopted similar immigration practices to encourage movement between the neighbouring countries. To follow any progress on this go to the New Zealand immigration site
Good luck
This post was updated in 2021 from an original Q in 2010.
Hi Jim, PLHIV can get a job in NZ. HIV is no longer considered a barrier to getting a working visa. The cost of treatment alone is not considered a high enough burden on the country to deny entry. Each case is now assessed individually to consider any other factors that may effect your visa application.
Being HIV positive does not immediately cause your application to be rejected.
Can plhiv get live and work in new Zealand now. Will there be any barrier to getting a job if I arrive NZ ?
Hi Susan, HIV is not a barrier to entry to NZ. Treatment will also be free regardless of migration status. For more information please see here: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=133
Hi I am a woman living with HIV will I be able to migrate to New Zealand?
Hi Rodrigo, thanks, but both the main question and HIVtravel.org already include this update on NZ:
https://i-base.info/qa/1456
I am not sure which post you are referring to?
This information needs to be updated as Immigration NZ has removed HIV from he list of medical conditions to migrate to NZ.
Check:
https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2021/october/new-zealand-lift-travel-restrictions-hiv
https://www.nzaf.org.nz/life-with-hiv/living-with-hiv/
Hi Gilo – please select New Zealand from the pull down country menu here:
https://hivtravel.org
Hi m a woman who intends to work in New Zealand
M living positively. What is the current status of the about the restrictions for people living with hiv