Question
Can I work in the UK?
14 November 2018. Related: All topics, Travel.
I am being offered a job in UK but I am HIV positive from last 7+ years undergoing ART treatment since I was diagnosed positive, is it ok or not?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Yes its OK for you to live in the UK, you being positive won’t be an issue.
You will also be able to get free HIV treatment and monitoring.
Please bring a summary of your medical history with you so the new doctor has these notes.
Please also get in touch with i-Base again if you need information about how to register at a clinic. It is good to bring at least a month of meds with you though – more if possible. This is so there is not a pressure on getting the new clinic with often takes a few weeks.
Hi Philia, in the UK there are no restrictions for people living with HIV. You will be able to be employed as a nurse in the UK while living with HIV. If your role requires you to be in contact with blood/open procedures you would be required to prove you are on treatment. This would not stop employment but regular testing of viral load would be needed.
I’m a registered nurse from Nigeria seeking for an employment in either NHS or home care but I’m hiv positive on ARV for about19years. Please, can my status hinder me from achieving my goal?.
Hi Aishat, yes you can work in the UK. There are no restrictions in the UK for people living with HIV. You do not need to do a medical test before entering the country at the airport.
Can hiv positive travel and based in UK and work in UK
Hi Eunice, the UK doesn’t check for HIV for people trabelling to the UK – whether for holidays or for work.
I’m HIV positive can I travel to UK and work
Hi am interested in search ajob in UK,but I was afraid because of my status
Hi Milka, being HIV status should not be a restriction to employment in the UK. The Equality Act, 2010 prevents discrimination on the basis of HIV status (and a number of other protected human characteristics). HIV testing is not routine for employment in the UK and disclosure of status is only required for a small number of blood-facing professions e.g., dentistry. Though even in this instance, your status as HIV positive will not impact being employed.
Hi Aisha, you do not need to disclose your status to work in the UK. You are only asked to disclose this in certain blood-contact roles e.g., dentistry and midwifery. It is illegal to reject employment on the basis of HIV status.
I want to travel to uk and work as care take will they ask about my status