UK Visa – Medical Check Requirement Updated: 8th June 2010

Health (tuberculosis) screening

Applicants for UK visas valid for longer than six months in certain countries now require a certificate to show that they are free from infectious pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

The Government has implemented a programme to screen people applying to enter the UK for more than six months for tuberculosis.  The initiative is part of the Government's Five Year Strategy for Asylum and Immigration.  Testing has begun in the following countries:

Bangladesh, Ghana (which also takes applications from Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo and Niger ), Kenya (which also take applications from residents of Eritrea, Somalia, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Rwanda, Uganda (visitor applications) and Tanzania), Pakistan, Sudan, and Thailand (which also takes applications from Cambodia and Laos).

This programme is part of our ‘firm but fair’ policy on immigration and will benefit the UK’s public health by preventing the entry into the UK of infectious tuberculosis sufferers until they have been successfully treated.  It will also support the Department of Health’s Tuberculosis Action Plan. The programme also has advantages for applicants who may benefit from and early diagnosis of TB.  Host countries will also benefit from earlier detection of individuals with the disease.

Screening generates information about infectious tuberculosis among travellers to the UK and helps us to better understand the effect of migration on tuberculosis in the UK.  We will also be looking at ways to share data about tuberculosis rates with host countries to inform their own public health programmes.

A further benefit of the programme is that successful applicants will no longer need to undergo medical inspection on arrival in the UK before being allowed to enter the country.  This can be a time consuming process but can be avoided if those coming to the UK carry their screening certificate in their hand luggage to present to an immigration officer on arrival in the UK.

To help applicants, their sponsors and others with an interest in the UK's entry clearance operations overseas, we have prepared two sets of questions and answers (Q&A) which we hope will provide answers to most of the questions that this scheme will raise:

Health screening: general Q&A Health screening: Q&A for applicants 

Use the links below to find out more about visa application process in countries where the health screening programme has started. 

Accra

Bangkok

Dar es Salaam

Dhaka

Islamabad

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UK Visa – Medical Check Requirement Updated: 8th June 2010

Khartoum

Nairobi

Do I have to be tested for tuberculosis (TB)?

If you are planning to come to the UK for more than six months, you will need to be tested to show that you are free from TB before we will accept your visa application.

How do I arrange to be tested?

Details of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) clinics and their contact details are available on the website of the British diplomatic mission or visa application centre for each country involved in the scheme (links below). You will need to book an appointment with the IOM clinic in your country to arrange testing.

 British High Commission, Accra   British Embassy, Bangkok   British High Commission, Dar es Salaam   British High Commission, Dhaka   British High Commission, Islamabad   British Embassy, Khartoum   British High Commission, Nairobi

How is the testing done?

Applicants will first be required to have a chest x-ray. If this shows signs of infection, they will be required to undergo further tests.

Is the screening process the same in all countries?

The same standards apply in all countries but the administrative processes may vary from one country to another depending on how we process visa applications in that country.

Who is exempt from testing?

We will not require certificates from children under 11 years old, diplomats and their families (this exemption does not include other members of diplomats' households such as domestic staff), or returning residents.

Where do I go to be tested and how much will the test cost?

The British diplomatic mission in your country will have information on their websites about testing procedure and fees. Use the links on the main health screening page to access this information.

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UK Visa – Medical Check Requirement Updated: 8th June 2010

What about pregnant women?

Pregnant women will be offered a chest x-ray with abdominal shielding to protect the unborn child.  If they decline, other tests may be carried out or delays may occur.

What will happen if I refuse to take a TB test?

You can still make your visa application, but we will refuse your visa.

What will happen if I do have TB?

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will not give you a certificate and you will not be able to apply for a visa until you have been cured. The IOM will give you advice and tell you how to get treatment. A full course of treatment usually takes six months. After you have been cured you must be tested again. If the test shows that you are free of infectious TB, the IOM will give you a certificate and you can apply for your visa.

Will I need to take my certificate with me to the UK?

Yes. You should carry it in your hand luggage. If you do not, you may be delayed on arrival in the UK. We also advise that you take your chest x-ray with you in case you need to see a doctor in the UK.

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