All South Africans applying for a visa for the UK for a period longer than 6 months must be tested for tuberculosis (TB) at a clinic approved by the UK Border Agency.
By Breytenbachs on 1 April, 2013 10:58 am in Business, Popular stories, Visas & Immigration / no comments
Tuberculosis Testing – FAQ for South Africans applying for UK visa from SA
Yes, all South Africans applying for a visa for the UK for a period longer than six months must be tested for tuberculosis (TB) at a clinic approved by the UK Border Agency.
If you are free from TB you will be issued with a certificate to this effect, which must then be submitted together with the UK visa application. The certificate will be valid for six months.
Do I have to get tested for TB if applying for a UK visitor visa?
No, you do not need to be tested. As the maximum stay for all the visitor visas, including the long-term visit visas of 2-, 5- and 10 years are a maximum of 6 months at a time, there is not a TB testing requirement.
Do children have to be tested?
The UK Border Agency differentiates between children 11 years and older and younger than 11 years.
If a child is 11 years and older, and applying for a UK visa for a period of longer than 6 months, then the child must be tested for TB.
However, children younger than 11 years must also attend the appointment at the clinic with their parents. The clinician will then base upon a questionnaire decide whether the child needs to take the test or not. If the child is not tested, the clinician will issue a certificate to this effect, which must be submitted together with the UK visa application.
Can I get tested by my local GP?
No, unfortunately you can only be tested at a clinic approved by the UK Border Agency. They will not accept a TB certificate from a clinic not on their list. There are clinics in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. Please contact our offices for information in this regard.
What happens if I test positive for Tuberculosis?
If you test positive, you will not be issued with a certificate and you will be given advice about treatment and a referral letter. You will not be able to apply for a UK visa until you can show that you are TB free, and have a certificate to this effect.
For more information, please contact the BIC offices.
JP Breytenbach
Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd
info@bic-immigration and www.bic-immigration.com
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