[Tui2too]

I have just been diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol (6.3) and high blood pressure. I've started Lipitor for the cholesterol, will start a bp med, and the diabetes seems manageable with my good diet (normal fasting sugars tested at home)

We are running out of time to submit our ITA, and we're not sure if the house will sell in time to get to Welly by June anyway (the job deadline).....so if we decide to go for it at the last minute would I pass the medical needed for OH's work visa (assuming my meds produce normal ranges) ?

My BMI is under the nz limit, so I feel guilty asking as someone who already has ALL the risk factors when so many out there with higher bmi's and no problems are having trouble getting in.

Any words of advice? Any experience willing to share? Hard cold truths? etc
If we get in on the work visa we'd then re-start the pr process, or if we can't make it by June we'll stay in Canada and re-start pr process....but only if we think I can potentially pass a medical....yikes (I'm not aging gracefully!)
--------------------------------------------

Job offer in negotiations since July 08
Contract arrived Dec 31 08
eoi submitted and selected Jan 14
ITA received Jan 27
Still trying to sell house (in negotiations)
OH expected in Wellington by June to start work (he won't go without me)

[dusk]

as far as I know the answer to yourt main question would be no. I think it's the same medical and the same MA - you will more than liekly be assessed by an MA as someone with diabetes - at the minimum you will need the extra bloods (fasting lipids) but I would also assume you may need some specialist reports on your condition and prognosis, so you won't get through the application process quickly, my advice would be to start a work visa application as soon as possible, thus giving yourself time to get the extra paperwork/tests etc processed.

I assume you are Type 2 from what you've said so I'm not exactly sure what you will be assessed on re risk factors (as I am type 1), but the good news is that all other things being well (assuming you can get your cholestorol and weight in line with requirements) there's no reason you would be denied a visa because you're diabetic :)

Just to add, this is my 'best guess' only - what I think would be the most likely scenario...

if you need to get over by June and only your OH is working you might consider temporarily taking yourself off their visa and getting your PR application started after that, coming in on a visitors visa yourself - or some other combination of visa/application process which would give you the longest time to get your condition under control whilst allowing you both to get here on time - perhaps someone else will be able to give you a specific route to follow.

[Tui2too]

Thanks Dusk! I was wondering if it was the same medical and same MA situation for both types of visas...so thanks for the input! I don't even remember having to do a medical 9 yrs ago when we last went to nz on a work visa, so this has thrown me a bit.
Thanks for the ideas too....I do feel I need a scenario that buys me more time so I can prove I'm managing all of this well...that may happen by default if our house doesn't sell.
Good to hear you don't think they'd deny me for being diabetic. Thanks!

[dusk]

No worries.

It can't hurt to check the facts for yourself, but as I say you should be okay getting in, there's just a couple more hoops to jump through :)

I've just got myself signed up with the local halthcare systems diabetic care - got my first eye appointment this afternoon and saw the doctors on monday, they seem to be reasonably clued up and well funded so your ongoing care should be okay once you get here :)

[Tui2too]

That is great to hear! Thanks! (also reminds me I have to book my first eye exam)

There is so much to process/figure out in such a short space of time, though if the house doesn't sell we'll change our immigration timeline and breathe a bit!

[Flutterby]

it depends on the length of the permit, if you go for the longer permit you have to do the same medical, but if you opt for a shorter permit the amount of medical assessment is different, not sure if it would help in your particular situation but its probably worth looking into in more detail.

[Tui2too]

Thanks Fluttery, this is an option (short term work visa) we had previously rejected but now that things are down to the wire we are looking into it again...at least it would get us there (does anyone know if the kids would get student visas? what other limitations there may be?)

Monday morning we'll phone and see how fast we can book medical apts for all five of us (!), I know mine will be complicated but if we can at least start the process from here...OH also need to phone employer to update...

We have always said we won't repeat what we did in 2000 which was to go to NZ on a visa that was tied to a specific job. We really want to acheive residency this time (we're getting old!) so also debating whether we should give up this job offer (and hope for another later) to buy us more time to start the whole (insert expletive here) process all over again having at least learned a bit from this time...

Lessons learned:
Don't get a job offer first (before selling house in a bad market)
Don't delay medicals for ITA (because you're worried house won't sell anyway)
Don't get any new diagnosis thrown at you in the process!! (lol)
I'm sure I'll add alot to this list!

sorry if I've rambled..
-----------------------------------
ITA expires in 18 days
Job offer expires in one month less three days
House in negotiations

[JandM]

I do feel for you. Dusk's last para sounds like a pretty good suggestion, if it's your OH's job that is the important one. And if it's a firm offer, who's to say when there would be another, and how it would look on his record? But you must have so many things to take into account.

About the children, I found this
Under temporary work policy, dependent children of work permit holders are regarded as domestic students for the purpose of all course fees at primary and secondary schools. This applies for the period of the parent's work permit. here http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/research/migration-outlook-2008/international-migration-outlook-nz-2008_08.asp