Countries with HIV Travel Bans and Traveling with HIV

17 Jul 22:36

Travel for HIV-positive persons has been a contentious issue. Many nations used to have limitations on whether or not someone with HIV could travel.

Fortunately, many countries throughout the world have abolished their HIV travel restrictions, and the ones that still have limitations are largely for longer-term stays for education, job, or immigration.

The Obama administration repealed the travel ban in 2010, therefore there are no longer any limitations for HIV-positive persons travelling to the United States.

This page will identify the nations that do have limitations in place, followed by some advice on what you should know about travelling with HIV.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

Countries with Restriction Measures

Some nations still have HIV travel restrictions in effect. They are as follows:

  • Aruba – There are no limits on short-term tourist trips, although there are on employment and resident licenses.
  • Australia – There are no limitations for visitors. Permanent resident visa applicants, on the other hand, shall be assessed and considered in accordance with immigration standards for any chronic health disorders that necessitate significant treatment costs.
  • Azerbaijan – To be eligible for an e-visa, applicants must be HIV-negative.
  • Bahrain – Tourists face no limitations, but anyone seeking residency will be deported if they test positive for HIV.
  • Bangladesh – There are no admission restrictions, but if the authorities learn of your HIV+ status, you may be deported.
  • Bhutan – Travelers travelling for less than two weeks have no limitations, while stays of more than two weeks are only authorized with documentation of a recent negative HIV test.
  • Brunei – People who have been diagnosed with HIV are not authorized to enter Brunei. Testing is required for all student, employment, and residence permits, and positive instances will result in deportation. Short-term visitors, on the other hand, are not tested.
  • China – Short-term visitors face no limitations, while work and study visas lasting more than six months need HIV testing.
  • Cuba – There are no limits for short-term tourists, but students and anybody staying for more than three months must undergo tests.
  • Cyprus – Short trips are not restricted, however those from non-EEA countries seeking student, employment, or residence visas must be checked.
  • Dominican Republic – Tourists are not restricted, but work and residence visa applications must be examined.
  • Ecuador – Short-term tourism is not restricted, but long-term resident candidates must test negative.
  • Egypt – Tourists are not required to get tested, but anyone seeking employment or residency permits must be HIV-negative.
  • Equatorial Guinea – Travel to Equatorial Guinea is becoming increasingly difficult for people of all ages. It is unclear what the limits are at this time, but HIV+ persons are likely to be barred from entering.
  • Honduras – There are no limits for visitors, however there are for work permit applicants.
  • Iran – Visitors entering Iran with stays of up to three months face no restrictions. Longer stays, as well as all applicants for employment or residence permits, must submit a negative test result.
  • Iraq – With the exception of diplomats, all visitors staying for more than 10 days are required to be tested for HIV, and positive individuals are likely to be deported.
  • Israel – The only limits in Israel appear to be for individuals seeking work permits.
  • Jordan – HIV+ persons are not permitted to enter Jordan. For visits of up to 30 days, no tests are necessary. People seeking work permits or residence will be tested within one month of their arrival and deported if the test results are positive.
  • Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan’s only limitation is that candidates for residence must show that they are HIV-negative.
  • Kuwait – For trips of up to 90 days, no testing is necessary; however, for visas of more than 90 days, the applicant must be tested for HIV. Cases that test positive will be deported.
  • Kyrgyzstan – There are no limits for trips of less than 60 days. Stays of more over 60 days may need a test, and all work visa candidates must be tested.
  • Lebanon – There are no limitations on immigration, however migrant labourers must pass an HIV test.
  • Malaysia – There are no limitations on short-term trips, but longer-term stays require a negative HIV test, with deportation possible if the result is positive.
  • Marshall Islands – Tourists visiting for fewer than 30 days have no limitations, while longer-term stays may necessitate testing.
  • North Korea – There are no immigration restrictions, but if the authorities learn of your HIV+ status, you will most likely be deported.
  • Oman – Short-term trips are not restricted, however longer-term stays and work permits are subject to a negative test. Cases that test positive will be deported.
  • Qatar – Anyone staying for more than 30 days must get an HIV test.
  • Russia – There are no limitations for persons travelling for fewer than 90 days. HIV testing is mandatory for multiple-entry visas and stays of more than 90 days. Other nations’ medical certifications demonstrating a negative test can be presented.
  • Solomon Islands – HIV testing are mandatory for visitors staying in the Solomon Islands for more than 90 days. HIV+ persons are more likely to be denied entry and deported.
  • Suriname – Suriname’s position is currently unknown. Visitors from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia appear to be required to certify that they are HIV negative, and employers are also likely to seek an HIV test.
  • Syria – Tourist visas, including 6-month multi-entry visas, do not need testing. Work and residence permits, on the other hand, do.
  • Tunisia – Tunisia’s position is unknown. Tourists who travel for a short period of time are unlikely to be limited, but employment and residency permits need a health check, which may result in refusal in HIV+ situations.
  • United Arab Emirates – The UAE does not screen travelers who want to remain for less than 60 days, but screening is required for everyone else. Tests performed outside of the UAE are not recognized, and anyone found to be HIV positive will be deported.
  • Yemen – Yemen prohibits all HIV+ people from entering the nation. While testing is necessary for longer stays, such as students, workers, refugees, and immigrants, visitors visiting for less than 90 days are not examined.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

Restrictions on ESTA

Citizens of nations included in the USA’s Visa Waiver Program may enter the country using an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) rather than a visa.

Prior to 2010, HIV+ persons could not enter the United States on an ESTA. However, now that the US HIV travel prohibition has been abolished, HIV+ patients, like everyone else, can travel to the US with an ESTA.

Apply here for your next trip, or check the status of your existing ESTA here.

Of course, the US authorities will investigate your background, and several reasons may influence the acceptance of your application. However, there is no reason to believe that HIV can cause specific issues.

If you wish to double-check your eligibility, go through the ESTA questions here.

If you’re going to be travelling for a longer period of time and applying for a visa, you can learn more about the questions you’ll be asked here.

Having HIV while travelling

Traveling with HIV medicine will have the greatest impact on you as an HIV+ tourist. If you are travelling with specific medicine, it is critical that you consider all of the issues associated with pharmaceutical travel in general.

Traveling with a letter from your doctor explaining your medicine, keeping the medication in its original packaging, and retaining a copy of your prescription with your name and address is a good place to start.

This is pretty much routine procedure when travelling to the United States with HIV medicine and any other prescription medication. A doctor’s certificate in English clarifying that the medications are for personal use is required by US customs. In addition, keep your medicine in your hand baggage in case your checked bags are lost or delayed.

You should also ensure that your travel insurance covers any medical care you may need while away from home, and that you are eligible to travel as an HIV+ person under your insurance coverage.

FAQs

Can I go to the United States if I have HIV?
Without a doubt. The HIV travel ban in the United States was repealed in 2010, and there are no longer any limitations on travelling to the United States with HIV.

Is an HIV test necessary to obtain a US visa?
No, no longer is an HIV test necessary for US visas.

Is it possible for HIV sufferers to go abroad?
Definitely. Assuming you’re healthy enough to go and have all necessary medications for the duration of your vacation, as well as adequate travel insurance.

What countries are you allowed to visit if you have HIV?
Almost many Western nations have no limitations for HIV-positive travelers. Many eastern nations do impose limits. They are, however, mostly in existence for longer-term trips, such as student, work, and residence permits.

How do you transport HIV medicine when travelling?
Ascertain that you have a doctor’s certificate and prescription papers confirming that your drug is yours and is required for personal usage. Check that the medicine is still in its original container and that you have enough to last if your return home is delayed.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

Travel Freedom

With the exception of a few nations on the list above, the great majority of countries currently have no restrictions in place for HIV+tourists visiting for short periods of time.

When longer-term trips, study, job, or residency are contemplated, the limitations tend to kick in.

Finally, double-check the country’s limitations, make sure you have adequate medication and papers for the duration of your trip, and make sure you have appropriate travel insurance!