[westi]

But his wife had breast cancer 4 years ago and although she is clear now they think that she has to be clear for 5 years before they will be considered.
He's asked me whether there are any loop holes that will allow them to move earlier as I have NZ citizenship.
They are both in their 60's, retired with funds, and US citizens. Does anyone know whether they have the correct info & whether there's anything I can do to make is possible to live here earlier ?

Thanks :)

[jess]

Hi Westi. I don't know of any reference to being disease free for a particular number of years in the NZIS health requirements (http://glossary.immigration.govt.nz/healthrequriementsresidence.htm). But NZIS will turn them down if she's deemed, "likely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health services." Since she has been cancer free for four years they may not see her as a future cost risk.

The only people I know who had problems getting PR had chronic conditions likely to worsen over their life time (even though they were under control at the time the application was made). Cancer is a different situation since it could be - and hopefully is - completely gone.

Best of luck to you. Hopefully you'll get a reply with better first hand experience.