Tuberculosis Test Requirements for UK Visas

Our comprehensive guide to the Tuberculosis Test Requirements for UK visas is a free in-depth resource. You’ll find information about who it applies to and the testing process. If you need help with this or any part of your application, please get in touch.


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An Overview of Tuberculosis Tests for UK Visas

The UK immigration system continues to evolve and become more complex. One of the most recent additions to the application process is the requirement for citizens of specific listed countries to undertake a tuberculosis (TB) test before applying for a long-term UK visa.

These specific countries have been identified based on active tuberculosis within the country. Not only do applicants need to be tested for tuberculosis, but the test needs to be undertaken by an approved medical clinic.

The test typically involves a chest x-ray, but in addition or in limited circumstances, a sputum sample (phlegm coughed up from your lungs) can be provided. After successfully obtaining a negative test result, you’ll be issued a tuberculosis clearance certificate, which you’ll need to include as part of your visa application. The test certificate will be valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray.

Who Needs to Undertake a Tuberculosis Test for a UK Visa?

The criteria for who needs to undertake a tuberculosis test is relatively simple:

  • You must be applying for a UK visa of 6 months or longer in duration
  • You live in one of the listed countries
  • You have lived in one of the listed countries in the past 6 months

If you fall into the above criteria, you must schedule a test with an approved clinic.

Exceptions to the Tuberculosis Test Requirement

There are very limited criteria for when a tuberculosis test would not be required if you’ve resided in one of the listed countries. The only published exceptions to the tuberculosis testing requirements are as follows:

  • if you’re a diplomat accredited to the UK
  • if you’re a returning UK resident and haven’t been away from the UK for more than 2 years
  • if you’ve lived for at least 6 months in a country where the UK does not require TB screening, and you’ve been away from that country for no longer than 6 months

These are the only permissible exceptions to the tuberculosis test requirement. It’s worth noting that accommodations are made for pregnant women and children, and there is different criteria, which varies slightly from the standard testing requirements.

Tuberculosis Tests for Pregnant Women and Children

All children still need to provide a tuberculosis test certificate, but they won’t need to undergo a chest x-ray. Instead, a child must see a clinician who will assess whether they believe a chest x-ray is necessary. Typically, any children aged under 11 will not be required to have a chest x-ray. Instead, they will need to complete a health questionnaire. Once completed, if the clinician decides the child does not have tuberculosis, they’ll issue a tuberculosis test certificate.

In the case of pregnant women, there are a few different options they can decide between. The options available to them are as follows:

  • if you’re in the 2nd or 3rd trimester, you can have an x-ray with an additional shield, which will protect you and your unborn child from radiation
  • you can provide a sputum test instead (phlegm coughed up from your lungs), although there could be an extra fee payable, and you will need to wait up to 8 weeks for the results and the tuberculosis certificate
  • choose to wait until after your child is born

Each of these options has its own merits. You'll need to decide which is the right option for your individual circumstances.

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Which Countries Residents Need a TB Certificate?

Citizens and residents of the following countries are currently required to obtain a tuberculosis test certificate. Countries included on this list are deemed to have active tuberculosis within the country:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Benin
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Brunei
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Cameroon
  • China
  • Congo
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican Republic
  • East Timor
  • Ecuador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Ghana
  • Guatemala
  • Guinea
  • Guinea Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Macau
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Mali
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritania
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Namibia
  • Nepal
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • São Tomé and Principe
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • South Sudan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Swaziland
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Togo
  • Turkmenistan
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

This list of countries can change from time to time, so it's important to check for updates before making your visa application. 

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