Pregnant Korean woman forced to leave NZ

A Korean woman will be kicked out of New Zealand after being refused a student visa because she is pregnant – despite being willing to pay for her maternity care.

Sung Won Kim, 31, and her partner arrived on visitors' permits in March.

In April, she applied for a student permit which was declined because she was pregnant, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said.

He said it would be different if Ms Kim already had a student visa.

"It is also simply not true that if a woman who is already studying in New Zealand on a student permit becomes pregnant they are automatically required to leave the country.

"Each case would have to be considered on its own circumstances."

It was immigration policy not to grant student permits to pregnant women because it puts "extra strain on the health system," he said.

"It does not matter whether the applicant is prepared to pay for services, New Zealand simply does not have the healthcare resources to offer maternity services to visitors," Mr Coleman said.

Ms Kim said she was "at a loss" after being told she had to leave New Zealand by June 21.

"We are prepared to pay the costs up-front. We're not expecting anything free or to receive any special treatment in New Zealand, so how can they do this to me and my baby?"

A law change in 2006 means children born in New Zealand will not obtain citizenship unless at least one of the parents is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

The Ministry of Health estimates the average cost of an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery to be about $4000, but the amount can reach $8500 if there are complications.

The Department of Labour, which oversees immigration, said even if applicants offered to pay their own maternity costs, they still added to the demand for services.

"There may also be a question of whether the person is able to undertake the course of study on the basis of which they are applying for a visa or permit if pregnant."

Exceptions were granted for partners of New Zealand citizens or residents and, in some cases, to people applying for a work-to-residence visa or permit.

-NZPA