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.

283 comments

  1. Adebose

    Can HIV positive travel to Egypt without issue of deported

  2. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Thando, congratulations on getting the job. Unfortunately Dubai is not welcoming to those who are HIV positive even if on treatment.

    Applying for a work visa will require you to have medical exam including an HIV test. Any foreign national testing HIV positive will be detained and deported.

    For more information see here: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=189

  3. Thando

    I got a job in dubai and iam hiv positive on arv’s will i not be allowed to work there

  4. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Sindle, in the UK being HIV positive is not a barrier to work. You will not be required to disclose your status and it will have no bearing on you being employed. As i-base is a UK based charity I am less sure about Canada. Please see here for further information: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=39

  5. Sindile

    My name is Sindy i am hiv positive im looking for a teaching job in Canada or United Kingdom can i be employed with my status? My son he is negetive but my partner is positive we are consistent with taking our medication

  6. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Nomsa, I am sorry to hear about your daughter. How is she doing?

  7. Nomsa

    My daughter was deported from Thailand today because she is hiv positive

  8. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Elise, unfortunately Bahrain is not a welcoming country for people living with HIV. Applying for a visa requires an in-country HIV test. When testing positive all foreign nationals are immediately deported. More information about this can be found here: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=25

  9. Elsie

    Hi I got a job offer in Bahrain as a teacher but I’m HIV positive will I be allowed to work there??

  10. Simon Collins

    Hi Mandy

    Congratulations on the new job.

    As the answer says above, i-Base focus on treatment but a good website to find out about Cambodia is http://www.hivtravel.org

    The page on Cambodia says there are no HIV restrictions:
    https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=37

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *