New Zealand Cites Obesity In Denying Chef's Work Visa

Chef Albert Buitenhuis has been declared too fat to live in New Zealand, a country with one of the highest obesity rates in the developed world.Immigration officials recently informed South African Buitenhuis that his work visa would not be renewed because, at 286 pounds, he falls short of what Wellington deems "an acceptable standard of health."According to in Christchurch, "Immigration authorities cited the demands his obesity could place on New Zealand health services."At 5'10", Buitenhuis' body mass.es in at 40, which makes him medically obese. Adding irony to insult, he's actually shed more than 65 pounds since moving to New Zealand six years ago.Buitenhuis' wife, Marthie, said their annual visa renewal has gone smoothly since 2007 until now.

Staff at the embassy will continue to take visa applications but from today diplomats will not be there to approve them.The industrial action is part of a series of rotating strikes by embassy staff that began in April in a pay dispute between the diplomats' trade union and the Canadian government.The strikes initially targeted three diplomatic missions but have since spread. Diplomats who approve visas will not be at work today in the Canadian embassies in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, London, Paris, Beijing and 10 other cities.It is not known how long the strike will last.The industrial action will add to an existing backlog of applications, immigration consultants said yesterday. "This is not a good move," said Mohammed Amini, a director at Unican Immigration in Dubai. "It's going to affect our clients undoubtedly."

"There has already been a slowdown in the application process," said Ravi Lakhani, a consultant with Vision Consultancy in Abu Dhabi."This is likely just going to add to the backlog. From a consultant's point of view, it's not good for us because we'll be losing revenue."From the view of our clients, these people are pinning their hopes on their application and getting a visa – be it tourist or immigration."The strike is likely to most affect anyone wishing to holiday in Canada, students who plan to start studying in the autumn, and individuals seeking to emigrate to the country, Mr Lakhani said."In the past two weeks I have submitted eight applications for student visas, six or seven applications for tourist visas and three for work permits."