World news story

Tuberculosis testing in Hong Kong & Macau for long-term UK visas

UKVI announced that it will be extending pre-entry tuberculosis screening in Hong Kong and Macau starting on 31 December 2013.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
UK visa

UK Visas and Immigration has today announced that it will be extending pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening in Hong Kong and Macau, starting on 31 December 2013, to anyone travelling to the UK for longer than 6 months.

Those applying for settlement in the UK are already required to undergo pre-entry TB testing as part of the visa application process.

This follows the UK Government’s announcement in May 2012 that it would be extending this requirement to an additional 67 countries and regions, including Hong Kong and Macau, based on the figures for high TB incidence provided by the World Health Organisation.

This brings the UK in line with the practice of a number of other countries including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Pre-entry TB screening is not required for those going to the UK as a tourist or other type of visitor, except for those applying for a fiancé(e) visa.

It will be required for all individuals in Hong Kong and Macau who are applying for a UK visa which is longer than 6 months including those applying for a Tier 4 student visa. The process will require individuals to be screened and obtain a certificate from an UK Visas and Immigration approved health centre in Hong Kong and Macau to show that they are free of TB before they make a UK visa application. They will need to include the TB certificate with their visa application.

Applicants who require pre-entry TB screening should contact one of the approved clinics to schedule an appointment for screening. A fee for the screening will be payable directly to the clinic. Further details of the approved health centre facilities available in Hong Kong and Macau are on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Further information

  1. On 21 May 2012, the UK government announced plans to extend pre-entry TB screening to a further 67 countries, including Hong Kong and Macau. Further background is contained in our press release.

  2. Read more about tuberculosis tests for visa applicants.

Published 21 November 2013