Q and A

Question

Which countries that do not allow HIV positive people to visit?

Can you please name a few countries who do not allow hiv +ve people? What about Saudi Arabia ?

Answer

Further information on the legislation of the different countries is published at the following link:
https://www.hivtravel.org

It is important to recognise that what countries have on paper is impossible to enforce in practice. Even when countries say that HIV is a bar to entry, and even if they maintain the right to test you, this very rarely happens unless they have a reason to think you are HIV positive.

Even with restrictive policies, for short trips, some HIV positive people still travel for holidays and business. The main complication comes if your meds are found by border control or immigration.

For this reason some people decide not to travel to countries that show this discrimination.

This Q&A was updated in 2021 from a post in May 2008.

277 comments

  1. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Jojo,

    Many thanks for your comment.

  2. Jojo

    @Sindy

    I can tell you that it will be a huge issue especially with English teaching.
    Once you receive your Z- visa (work visa) and come to China, you will be subject to medical test for your residency permit [you need a residency permit to live in the country] which requires a medical test. When you take the medical exam, they will determine your status and deport you. Only high ranking positions will be able to work past this, however China is not one of them.

    I’m sorry to bear bad news.

  3. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Sindy,

    Your status may be an issue, you may however also be OK. Please see here: http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=48

  4. Sindy

    Hi…
    I want to apply for an English teaching job in China and I am HIV+… Will there be any restrictions due to my status?

  5. Lisa Thorley

    Hi NANSUBUGA,

    Unfortunately the UEA is one of the few countries that has a serious issue with people who are positive. People who are positive can’t work in the UEA and neither can they take ARVs into the country, it’s as simple and as unfair as that. Please see here: http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=189

  6. NANSUBUGA

    I NEED TO GO AND WORK IN UAE BUT AM HIV POSITIVE AND ON MEDICATION

  7. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Warren,

    Where is it that you’re thinking of going to teach?

  8. Warren

    Hi, I recently found out that I am HIV + and I really wanna teach abroad I just started taking medication for it. Which countries are the friendliest for people like me to teach in and will not hassle me for a work visa?
    It would really mean a-lot to me if anyone could help me.

  9. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Senate,

    Info about China can be found here: http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=48

  10. senate

    Hi…
    Does China have restrictions on hiv people.

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