An Indian-origin healthcare worker in New Zealand is facing the prospect of being separated from his five-year-old autistic son after immigration authorities declined the child’s visa on health grounds, triggering outrage and renewed debate over the country’s immigration health rules.
Nithin Mankeel, an elder care nurse who moved from India to New Zealand in January 2024, learned that his son Aidhan could not legally remain in the country because of his autism diagnosis. Mankeel’s wife, Aparna Jayandhan Geetha, and their son joined him later in the year after the family applied for residency under the straight-to-residence pathway.
Visa application hits roadblock over child’s health
Mankeel, whose role falls under Tier 1 of Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) Green List, had listed his wife and son as secondary applicants. During the assessment process, authorities sought additional details regarding Aidhan’s delayed speech development.
According to a report by RNZ, the family was informed that all visas would be declined unless Aidhan’s name was withdrawn from the application and submitted separately under a different visa category. Mankeel complied, after which his and his wife’s visas were approved — but their son’s was not, raising the possibility that the child could be deported.
“I was really, really shocked,” Mankeel said.
“It’s really heartbreaking. I don’t know how, mentally, I can cope, if that’s going to happen,” he said.
Immigration rules allow no health waiver
Responding to the case, INZ deputy chief operating officer Jeannie Melville said applicants assessed as likely to impose significant costs on health and education services could not be granted a waiver.
“We understand the challenges faced by Mr Mankeel and his family; however, immigration health requirements are very specific and can only be waived through ministerial intervention. The granting of residence to Mr Mankeel and his wife was based on the critical need for healthcare professionals in New Zealand, as reflected by their inclusion in Tier 1 of the Green List. All secondary applicants must still meet the health criteria for their visa category,” she said.
Family says returning to India is not an option
Mankeel said returning to India is no longer feasible for the family, as both he and his wife gave up their professional licences there after securing registrations in New Zealand.
“I don’t have any licence to practise in India because we cancelled that and got the registration here. We left everything and came [here],” he said.
He described the emotional toll the situation has taken on the family, even as they receive support from local communities.
“We are living full of fear but I’m getting so much support from many, many different communities,” he said.
“I’m getting weaker day by day but I’m getting all this support, I’m getting the energy to push forward. We are just praying and hoping for the best,” he added.