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 Lorraine, yes you can get a job as an educator in the UK. You are not required to disclose your HIV status. Your status will have no impact on your application.
Treatment is free and accessed from sexual health clinics. This is regardless of your residency status. Bringing a months supply of your regular medication with you along with your medical notes can help improve the speed at which you can access treatment. You can find a local clinic here: https://www.bashh.org/clinics
Hi can I be able to get a job as an educator when I’m HIV positive in United Kingdom and am I still going to have access to the treatment once I am there?What are the requirements for me to still have the treatment?Please advise me on the whole process including applications and traveling procedures .
Hi Jason, I am very sorry to hear of your experience. It is not legal for an employer to discriminate against you because of your HIV status. It is also not legal for them to test you for HIV without you giving this consent.
If you were already in the UK you could take the company to court or to an industrial tribunal.
I do not know whether this is also the case if you are outside the UK, but it would be good to find out more information.
Do you have this information about the HIV test and the refusal in writing?
If yes, please send me an email if you would like me to help – please mark this for me personally and say the answer is not to go online.
i-Base does not deal with immigration, employment or legal issues. but I can try to see if another organisation here might be able to help.
UK immigration does not ask about HIV, so perhaps try another agency. Or ask the agency to contact other companies for you.
I recently signed a contract as a butcher for a company in the UK from a local agency here in the Philippines. I already have a sponsorship as well as skilled worker visa. However, I didn’t disclose to the agency that I’m HIV+. The agency required us to do a blood test that will check HIV. Unfortunately, they told me that my application will be withdrawn and my visa will be canceled because of my HIV status. I have explained to the agency that I’m undetectable and currently taking medications to suppress the virus in my blood. However, they told me that the employer from UK requested and told the agency that they will not specifically hire a person living with HIV.
Hi Epherm, it is good ou re on treatment nd our health is good. I am sorr but i-Base can’t help with jobs but I hope ou find work soon.
Thank you for your answer. i am well loader operater/ I take treatment medicine. i am in good health but have no work so I went to esposer to get work. I’m from Ethiopia.
Hi James, congratulations on qualifying as a nurse. Yes you can work as a nurse in the UK. Being HIV positive will not stop you being employed as a nurse in the UK.
I am a newly licensed nurse in the Philippines.. I am an HIV+ too since 2016 and I am in my ARV medications for 7 years. I would like to ask only if can I work in U.K. for a job even I am an HIV+? What work would you recommend me.? Anything my pleasure for you to help me..ThankU
Hi Essie, being HIV positive will not have an effect on you being a care giver in the UK. It is illegal in the UK for a persons HIV status to prevent someone getting a job and this includes care work.
Can I get a care giving job as a foreigner in the UK , despite me being HIv positive , does it affect my possibility.