Tuberculosis testing in Kenya
Updated 28 November 2023
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The following will not be required to get a certificate:
- diplomatic passport holders travelling on official business or on a posting to the UK
- those who qualify for exempt visa
- those applying for a certificate of entitlement
Approved clinic
IOM Kenya
78 UN Crescent
Gigiri
Nairobi
Kenya
Telephone number: +254 709 890 000
Email: iomnbomhac@iom.int
Website: kenya.iom.int
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm
- Friday, 9am to 12pm
Closed on national holidays.
Attending the clinic
To arrange your TB appointment, you should register on the online appointment system, call the clinic or email to book an appointment at least 10 weeks before you travel to allow processing in case you require further testing after the initial examination. You should make it clear you need the test for a UK visa application.
What you should bring with you
You should bring either:
- your valid original passport
Or
- UNHCR/MHA registration documents for refugee applicants
Test fees
| 11 years and above | Below 11 years |
|---|---|
| 107 USD | 62 USD |
The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee.
The fee is not refundable if you test positive for TB or decide not travel to the UK, or your visa is refused.
Payment
Payment must be made before your medical examination in CBA Bank (Gigiri Branch Only) or through MPESA Pay bill at the clinic in US dollars (USD).
Step-by-step procedures
- medical examinations are processed between Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 4pm and on Friday 8am to 12:30pm
- all visa applicants must attend the clinic for the assessment with all the required documents
- the initial examination will include a counselling session and signing a consent form
- applicants aged 10 and under will go through a medical examination by the physician before a certificate is issued
- applicants aged 11 and above will have a chest x-ray done; applicants will then be reviewed by the doctor with the chest x-ray result before a certificate is issued
- additional sputum smears and cultures medical procedures may apply in case of abnormal chest x-ray findings and could take up to 8 weeks to get the final results
- a TB clearance certificate will be issued to the applicant on the day of the examination if the examination result is considered free of active pulmonary TB disease
- if you do not return within 7 days for sputum collection, you will not get a TB clearance certificate
- you will be given further testing or told to contact your own health care provider if the examination results are abnormal but the abnormality is not related to TB disease
- the TB clearance certificate expires 6 months from the chest x-ray date if you had a chest x-ray done, or 6 months from the physical examination date if you don’t need a chest x-ray
- the TB clearance certificate is valid for 3 months if you have been in contact with a family member with active pulmonary TB
- female applicants may be requested to undergo a pregnancy test, in case there is uncertainty as to whether they may be pregnant
- pregnant applicants can decide not to get a chest x-ray examination and instead either give sputum for a TB test on 3 consecutive mornings or delay the TB screening until after giving birth
Read more information on TB screening requirements for people applying for a UK visa in countries where TB is common.