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Chef has visa rejected because he is overweight
A South African chef has had his application for a New Zealand work visa denied because the authorities say he is overweight. Albert Buitenhuis has been living and working in the country for six years, and claims that he was a lot heavier when he first moved from South Africa.
A spokesman for immigration told BBC News that his obesity meant that the New Zealand taxpayer could end up footing the bill for any health complications that could arise. Immigration manager Michael Carley said all migrants needed to prove they are in good health so that they do not become a burden on the New Zealand health services.
Mr Buitenhuis claims he has actually lost weight since he migrated to New Zealand and has had no problem renewing his work visa in the past. He added that although he understood the concerns of the Kiwi authorities, he wishes they had made their policy regarding weight clearer.
He explained that because he had already been granted permission to move to New Zealand for work, he and his wife had sold everything back home and intended to make the move a permanent one.
The couple have appealed the decision and a final ruling is due from the immigration department in the next couple of weeks.
A spokesman for immigration told BBC News that his obesity meant that the New Zealand taxpayer could end up footing the bill for any health complications that could arise. Immigration manager Michael Carley said all migrants needed to prove they are in good health so that they do not become a burden on the New Zealand health services.
Mr Buitenhuis claims he has actually lost weight since he migrated to New Zealand and has had no problem renewing his work visa in the past. He added that although he understood the concerns of the Kiwi authorities, he wishes they had made their policy regarding weight clearer.
He explained that because he had already been granted permission to move to New Zealand for work, he and his wife had sold everything back home and intended to make the move a permanent one.
The couple have appealed the decision and a final ruling is due from the immigration department in the next couple of weeks.
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