Medical Assessors and timing
 

Hi all

I've just been offered a job in NZ but it is subject to me starting within 3 months. I have all the ITA paperwork ready to hand at the end of this week, but because of some minor (past) medical conditions, I suspect my medicals might get referred to a medical assessor.

I'm confident that the medical issues wont be any reason to turn down a visa, but I've heard so many horror stories about the time it takes for medical assessors to decide on things and ask for more info. I'm really worried that if it does get referred, this will delay my application for so long that I will lose the job (I've been told they really can't keep it open any long than three months). :(

Has anyone had fairly recent experience of being referred to medical assessors and know how long these things take? I am having a huge panic. My panel doctor has already recommended submitting a doctor's letter with the application, which I have got (she will then pass the medicals), but I just have no idea whether the assessors will want further specialist reports or not and am so worried that I will lose the job.

Any advice appreciated!

Re: Medical Assessors and timing
 

Cath,
I was applying under the family/partner stream and was referred to the MA so there was no deadline like your job offer, but I was given an estimate of 3 weeks for the MA to do their assessment (then they asked for more tests and then another '3 weeks' to assess the new results). The 3 weeks was a little optimistic - but perhaps they were busy doing assessments of people who had a deadline to meet (:fingerscrossed: for you).
In your original post you say your panel doctor will pass the medicals once you have the letter - if the panel doc ticks all the 'ok' boxes then I wouldn't have thought you would be referred:confused:
John.

Re: Medical Assessors and timing
 

John

Thanks so much for the response - I'm stressing far too much about it but it is reassuring to hear that it wasn't too long in your case. I guess it's just luck - I'm going to put the application in and just keep everything crossed that any issues get sorted out within my 3 month deadline!

Cath.

Re: Medical Assessors and timing
 

It can't hurt to highlight the deadline in a covering letter with your application.
John.