NZ residency declined when heart murmur discovered in Indian man

A heart murmur that Harsinder Singh didn’t know he had appears to have ruined his chances of New Zealand residency.

He may need surgery in 10 to 20 years, so Immigration NZ policy says he doesn’t qualify to stay in the country he loves.

The 26-year-old, known as Harry, has life insurance and has offered to have any necessary surgery at home in India, where he says it will be less than a quarter of the cost.

But Immigration NZ says that wouldn’t be enforceable, and Singh is likely to “impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health services”.

After spending thousands on the visa application, unsuccessfully applying for a medical waiver and appealing Immigration NZ’s decision, Singh isn’t sure what to do next.

He came to New Zealand to study hospitality management, and has worked at Theobroma Chocolate Lounge in Hamilton for about five years.

That makes around seven years in New Zealand.

“In that time I’ve paid almost $23,000 in tax to the New Zealand Government. Plus I have KiwiSaver – that’s about eleven grand. And I have my own life insurance which is more than $100,000 and they cover critical illness as well,” he said.

“I don’t want to leave this country. I love New Zealand.”

Work takes up most of his time but he fits in the occasional cricket game or drinks with mates. He says he enjoys snowboarding on Mt Ruapehu and exploring areas from Ninety Mile Beach to Te Puke.

Medical checks before he came to New Zealand didn’t pick up anything amiss, but one in 2013 revealed a heart murmur – an aortic valve abnormality.

Surgery, which may be required, would cost more than the Immigration’s $41,000 threshold, so he was denied residency.

Singh first applied in October 2013, then tried unsuccessfully to get a medical waiver and to appeal through the Immigration and Protection Tribunal – whose decision came back in January 2016.

He estimates the process cost him more than $10,000, and the outcome means he has to stay on a work visa.

“They just ruined my life.”

“Only because of the small thing, they didn’t give me residency,” he said.

“After 20 years, I’ll already pay about $25,000 tax to the Government… I don’t need surgery tomorrow.”

Immigration NZ said Singh’s application was declined because his condition was likely to put a significant cost or demand on Kiwi health services.

A person’s health insurance or ability to pay for health services can’t be taken into account in the decision, area manager Michael Carley said in a statement.

“A medical waiver was considered, but was declined as it is likely he will require aortic valve surgery in the next 10-20 years,” he said.

“The cost of this surgery and ongoing monitoring of Mr Singh’s condition is greater than the $41,000 threshold.”

Singh tried to find ways to make it work, including asking his doctor if he can have the valve-replacement surgery now.

“He said, no, don’t do that, it’s not possible. At the moment I don’t suffer any problems.”

He got quotes for the same operation in India – about $6500 – and said he’d sign a binding undertaking to go home for any required surgery.

But Immigration said that wouldn’t be enforceable, because he would be eligible for publicly-funded healthcare once he became a resident.

Singh’s boss Manu Malhotra​ said he was a hard worker and she’d love him to get residency.

“If I’m not there for 15 to 20 days he’s pretty fine [to run the business],” she said.

“It’s actually quite difficult for me to think of not having him because all the responsibilities will come over me and I really don’t have anybody else who can take his place.”

Singh says he’s left disappointed after his experience – and poorer.

“I just followed the process, every single process. I didn’t break any rules and regulations. I just follow but, at the end, I’ve still got nothing.”
Yes or no to residency?

Residency applications approved and declined over the past five financial years

                     Approved          Declined failed medical        Other declined             Total
2010/11        40,737                        217                                    7271                      48,225
2011/12        40,448                        194                                    7254                      47,896
2012/13        38,961                        109                                    6559                      45,629
2013/14        44,008                        101                                    7569                      51,678
2014/15        43,085                        116                                    7449                      50,650

For more information about New Zealand Immigration programs, please visit the company’s site at http://www.immigrationexperts.pk
Contact :

Immigration Experts
Tel: +92 308 5857777
E-mail: wecare@immigrationexperts.pk