U.S. Department of State

U.S. Department of State

 
 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing Requirements
for Entry into Foreign Countries

March 2003

An increasing number of countries require that foreigners be tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prior to entry. It is usually required as part of a medical exam for long-term visitors, i.e. students and workers. The following list of country requirements is based on information available as of March 2003 and is subject to change. Before traveling abroad, check with the embassy of the country to be visited to learn about entry requirements and specifically whether AIDS testing is a requirement. If the list indicates U.S. test results are acceptable and the word "Yes" appears with an asterisk beside it (Yes*) in a particular country, prospective travelers should inquire at the embassy of that country for details (i.e. which laboratories in the United States may perform tests and where to have results certified and authenticated) before departing the United States.

HIV Testing Requirements

COUNTRY

TEST REQUIRED FOR

U.S. TEST ACCEPTED?

Aruba

Intending immigrants

No*

Australia

All applicants for permanent residence over age 15 (All other applicants who require medical examinations are tested if it is indicated on clinical grounds.)

Yes*

Bahrain

Individuals employed in jobs involving food handling, and patient or child care

No

Belarus

All persons staying longer than 3 months

Yes

Belize

All persons applying for residency permits

No

Brunei

All persons applying for work permits

No

Bulgaria

All intending immigrants (and may be required for foreigners staying longer than 1 month for purposes of study or work)

Yes*

Canada

Any foreigner suspected of being HIV positive (HIV testing is not mandatory for entry)

Yes*

Central African Republic

Anyone seeking residence, work and student permits must submit to a medical exam (which includes an HIV test)

Yes

China, People’s Republic of

Foreigners planning to stay for more than 6 months (Testing is not required for entry or residency in Hong Kong or Macau.)

Yes*

Colombia

Anyone suspected of being HIV positive (HIV positive persons are not admitted without a waiver from a Colombian consulate in the U.S.)

No*

Cuba

Anyone staying over 90 days, excluding diplomats

Yes*

Cyprus

All foreigners working or studying are tested after entry

No

Dominican Republic

Foreigners planning to reside, study or work

No

Egypt

Foreigners applying for study, training or work permits (spouses of applicants are exempt)

Yes*

El Salvador

Anyone age 15 and older applying
for temporary and permanent residency

No

Georgia

All foreigners staying longer than 1 month

Yes*

Greece

Prostitutes (as defined by Greek law)

Yes*

Hungary

Anyone staying over 1 year, and all intending immigrants (some employers may require workers to be tested)

Yes*

India

All students over 18, anyone between the ages of 18 and 70 with a visa valid for 1 year or more, and anyone extending a stay to a year or more, excluding accredited journalists and those working in foreign missions

Yes*

Iraq

All foreigners (except diplomats, Muslim pilgrims transiting through Iraq, children under 14 who do not suffer from hemophilia, men over 60 and women over 50 years of age) will be tested upon entry and are required to pay a $50 (US) fee for the test (Persons possessing a current medical certificate confirming that they do not suffer from AIDS may also be exempt from being tested.)

Yes*

Jordan

Anyone staying longer than 3 months

No

Kazakstan

All visitors staying more then 1 month must present a certificate of an HIV test within 10 days of their arrival

Yes*

Korea, Republic of

Foreigners working as entertainers staying over 90 days

Yes

Kuwait

Those seeking to obtain a residence permit

No

Kyrgyzstan

All foreigners, excluding diplomats, staying more than one month

Yes

Latvia

Anyone seeking a residency permit

Yes

Lebanon

Those planning to reside or work (Universities may require testing of foreign students)

No*

Libya

Those seeking residency permits, excluding official visitors

Yes

Lithuania

Applicants for permanent residence permits

Yes*

Malaysia

Foreigners seeking work permits as unskilled laborers

Yes*

Marshall Islands, Republic of the

Temporary visitors staying more than 30 days, and applicants for residence and work permits

Yes*

Mauritius

Foreigners planning to work or seek permanent residence (testing performed upon arrival in Mauritius)

No

Micronesia, (Federated States of)

Anyone applying for a permit needs to obtain a medical clearance, which may include an HIV test

Yes

Moldova

Anyone staying more than 3 months

Yes*

Montserrat

University students and applicants for work and residency

Yes*

Oman

Those newly-employed by private sector companies and upon renewal of work permit

No

Panama

Women intending to work in prostitution and anyone who adjusts visa status once in Panama

No*

Papua New Guinea

Applicants seeking work or residency visas and their dependents

Yes

Paraguay

Applicants seeking temporary or permanent residency status

Yes*

Qatar

Applicants seeking work or residency visas and visitors staying more than 1 month

No

Russia

All foreign visitors staying longer than 3 months

Yes*

Saudi Arabia

Applicants for residency/work permits

Yes*

St. Vincent

Applicants seeking temporary and permanent residency visas

Yes

St. Kitts and Nevis

Students, intending immigrants and anyone seeking employment

Yes*

Seychelles

Foreigners planning to work must under go a medical exam, which includes an HIV test, upon arrival

No

Singapore

Workers who earn less than $1,250 per month and applicants for permanent resident status (except spouses and children of Singapore citizens)

No

Slovakia

Applicants for long term or permanent residency visas

No*

South Africa

All mine workers (irrespective of their positions)

Yes*

Spain

Anyone seeking residence, work and student permits must submit to a medical exam (which may include an AIDS test)

Yes*

Syria

All foreigners (ages 15 to 60 years) staying more than 15 days

Yes*

Taiwan

Applicants for residency and work permits (Testing is also required for anyone staying over 90 days.)

No*

Tajikistan

Anyone staying more than 90 days (pending legislation)

Yes*

Turkmenistan

All foreigners staying longer than 3 months

No*

Turks and Caicos

Foreign workers (HIV testing is part of the medical exam that is required for work permits.)

No

United Arab Emirates

Applicants for work or residence permits except those under age 18

No, testing performed upon arrival

Ukraine

Anyone staying longer than 3 months

Yes, if issued 30 days before arrival*

United Kingdom

Anyone who does not appear to be in good health may be required to undergo a medical exam (including an HIV test) prior to being granted or denied entry

No*

Uzbekistan

Anyone staying more than 15 days (Long-term visitors must renew HIV certificate after the first 3 months in Uzbekistan and annually thereafter.)

Yes*

Yemen

Applicants seeking permanent residence including work or study (students over age 16), all foreigners staying longer than 1 month, and foreign spouses of Yemeni nationals (excludes experts, teachers, and foreign missions who are required to work in Yemen)

No

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