Tuberculosis has been around since time immemorial and is caused by bacteria called M. Tuberculosises which affects the respiratory system and can go undetected in your body for years without any presence of visible symptoms. In rare situations it can be spread from one healthy person to another through the air.
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Tb Test For Uk Visa In South Africa
A TB test is required for certain types of UK visas. If you are applying for a visa that requires a TB test, you will need to have the test done at a designated centre in South Africa. This article will provide you with all the information you need to know about getting a TB test for your UK visa in South Africa.
What is the TB test?
The TB test is a test for tuberculosis. It is a requirement for a UK visa in South Africa. The test is done by injecting a small amount of tuberculin into the skin. A positive reaction to the test means that the person has been infected with tuberculosis.
Why do I need a TB test?
If you are applying for a UK visa from South Africa, you will need to provide evidence of a negative TB test. This is because TB is more common in South Africa than it is in the UK, and the UK government wants to make sure that visa applicants are not carrying the disease.
A TB test is a simple chest x-ray that can be done at your local clinic or hospital. You will need to provide your passport and visa application form when you go for your test. The results of the TB test will be sent to the UK Visas and Immigration office, and they will use this information to make a decision on your visa application.
If you have any questions about the TB test or your UK visa application, you should contact your local British embassy or consulate.
How do I get a TB test?
If you are planning to visit the UK from South Africa, you will need to get a TB test done before you can apply for your visa. There are a few ways to do this:
1. You can go to a local clinic or hospital that offers the TB test. Make sure to bring your passport with you.
2. You can also get the TB test done at the British High Commission in Pretoria.
3. If you are already in the UK, you can get the TB test done at a local GP surgery or hospital.
Once you have got your TB test results, you will need to send them to the UK Visas and Immigration department along with your visa application form.
What happens if I don’t have a TB test?
If you don’t have a TB test, you may not be able to get a visa to enter the UK.
The TB test for UK visa in South Africa is a requirement for those who want to enter the country. The test must be done within three months of your intended travel date, and you will need to provide proof of the results when applying for your visa. If you have any questions about the process, or need help finding a qualified healthcare provider, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
You must be tested for tuberculosis (TB) if you are coming to the UK for more than 6 months and are from South Africa, Lesotho or Swaziland.
Your test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office. We won’t accept a TB test certificate from a clinic we haven’t approved.
Your test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office and will need to obtain an IOM medical certificate confirming that they are free from TB. We will not accept a TB test certificate from a clinic we have not approved.
You do not need a certificate if you:
- are a diplomatic passport holder travelling on official business or on a posting to the UK
- qualify for an exempt visa
- are applying for a certificate of entitlement
- applying as a returning residents
There are no approved clinics in Lesotho or Swaziland so if you’re from either of these countries you must travel to South Africa to be tested.
The approved clinics are:
- Hatmed Medical Centre, based in Pretoria
- Intercare, based in Cape Town
- IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre, based in Pretoria
- ShipMed Medical Services, based in Durban
Hatmed Medical Centre
454 Hilda Street
Hatfield
Pretoria
Telephone:
- +27 12 362 7180
Email:
Website:
Operating hours
Mondays to Fridays: 8am to 4pm
Intercare
Intercare
Cnr Century Way and Park Lane
Grand Central Precinct
Century City
Cape Town
Telephone:
- +27 21 879 0000
Mobile:
- +27 71 607 0783
Email:
Online appointments:
- You can book your TB appointment online on the IOM website
The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:
- applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)
- applicants under 11 years old
- applicants booking for family members. You can only book family members who are 11 years old or more
Operating hours
Mondays to Fridays: 8am to 3pm
Closed on national holidays.
IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre
Walker Creek Office Park
Building 4
Nicholson Street
Muckleneuk
Pretoria
Telephone:
- +27(0)12 342 2789
Email:
Online appointments:
- You can book your TB appointment online on the IOM website
The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:
- applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)
- applicants under 11 years old
- applicants booking for family members. You can only book family members who are 11 years old or more
Operating hours
Mondays to Thursdays: 8am to 4.30pm
Fridays: 8am to 12.30pm
Closed on National and IOM holidays.
ShipMed Medical Services
Shipmed Medical Services
25 Glenwood Drive
Glenwood
Durban
Telephone:
- +27 31 261 8291
Email:
Online appointments:
- You can book your TB appointment online on the IOM website
The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:
- applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)
- applicants under 11 years old
- applicants booking for family members. You can only book family members who are 11 years old or more
Test fees
| 11 years and above | Below 11 years | Certificate reissue (IOM only) |
|---|---|---|
| R2,500 | R1,250 | R100 |
The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee. You are unable to pay at the clinic.
Payment details (IOM only)
You must pay your fee using the following banking details before you arrive at the clinic.The booking reference number given must be used on the payment slip.
- Bank: FNB
- Account name: International Organisation for Migration
- Account number: 62165532724
- Branch: Brooklyn
- Branch Code: 251345
- Swift Code: FIRNZAJJXXX
The fee is not refundable if the person is tested positive for TB or decides not travel to the UK, or their visa is refused. For most applicants, this is where the testing process will end and your certificate will then be issued.
Step – by – step procedures (IOM only)
- medical examination will be processed on Tuesdays (chest X-ray) and on Wednesdays (physical exam)
- all visa applicants must present themselves to the clinic for assessment with the required identification document
- the initial examination will comprise of a counselling session and signing of consent for all
- applicants below 11 years will undergo a medical examination by the physician before a certificate is issued
- applicants 11 years and above will have a chest x-ray done – applicants will then be reviewed by the doctor with the chest x-ray result before issuance of a certificate
- additional diagnostic procedures (sputum smears and cultures) may apply in case of abnormal chest x-ray findings and will 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 fail to return within 7 days for sputum collection, you will forfeit the chance to obtain a TB clearance certificate
- advice will be given for further testing or follow up with the applicant’s own health care provider as needed if the examination results are abnormal but the abnormality not related to TB disease
- the TB clearance certificate expires 6 months from the chest x-ray date for applicants who have had a chest x-ray done, or 6 months from the physical examination date for applicants whom a chest x-ray is not applicable/done
- the above TB clearance certificate’s validity is 3 months for applicants who have been in contact with a family member with active pulmonary TB
- please note that female applicants of childbearing age may be requested to undergo a pregnancy test, in case there is uncertainty as to whether they maybe currently pregnant
- pregnant applicants may opt not to get a chest x-ray done and instead either give sputum for TB testing done on 3 consecutive mornings or postpone the TB screening until after delivery
Please read this leaflet from the UK Home Office for further clarification on the process and timelines.
If you fail to return within 7 days for sputum collection, you will forfeit the chance to obtain a TB clearance certificate.
Conclusion
It’s not your fault that you didn’t fully grasp what was required of you to get a UK visa. The system is inherently confusing. Hopefully, this article helped you fill in any blanks and answered any questions you may have had. Best of luck going forward!