They were planning to start a new life in a new country but Rowan Trezise, age 33, has been told by the government of New Zealand that she and her husband may have to look elsewhere for a place to live, because she is too fat to be allowed into the country.

Although both husband and wife were too fat for admittance when they first applied Mr. Trezise, a submarine cable specialist who was once a member of the British Army, has managed to shed two inches from his waistline thereby meeting the standards set for a work visa.

Mrs. Trezise however has not met the goal set for her and is therefore barred.

The couple were informed that New Zealand bars overweight people because of the potential burden they pose to the national health care system. According to New Zealand Robyn Toomath, spokesman of

My goodness….I wonder if other countries have specific health issues are of interest on visa applications?  I wonder if being blind, a paraplegic, age etc. are points the visa application ponders?

hulitoons - 16 September 2008 05:07 PM

My goodness….I wonder if other countries have specific health issues are of interest on visa applications?  I wonder if being blind, a paraplegic, age etc. are points the visa application ponders?

Austrailian requirements for permanent entry (pdf)

New Zealand requirements (Html)

Canadian requirements (Html)

British requirements (Html)

...just to show a few examples

Thank you Oppie, MOST informative: 

All of these, including NZ appropriately indicate diseases that might endanger the immediate public, or a condition that needs 24-hour care or medical monitoring. 

Obesity itself is not mentioned in NZ requirements.  It is mentioned in Austrailia