Question
Which countries that do not allow HIV positive people to visit?
16 April 2021. Related: All topics, Travel.
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.
I don’t understand why the refusing to go overseas if your hiv positive and treatment which means all people there are staying overseas there are 100% oe God my man his working overseas his HIV negative me I m HIV positive which means I can’t go to stay with him is the big problem overseer will separate with my husband is the big issue
Hi AJ68,
Please see here:
http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=144
Does phillipine work visa require a hiv test?
Hi Mario,
Please read the Qatar page here on HIV travel. But if you are in transit you’re not entering the country. You could ask the airline what checks you might have to go through when you change flights.
I am HIV positive and on ARVs. I am travelling to the USA in 2 months time but still need to book my ticket. My US visa has been approved.
I am considering flying via Dubai or Qatar but will only be in transit.
Will this be a problem even if I have a doctor’s letter and prescription with me? I do know they still do a slight security check when going through transit hall on hand luggage so just scared that the meds will come up on the xrays.
Flying via the middle east is much cheaper. I am from South Africa.
There are so many different versions of answers even the embassy of the UAE gives conflicting answers that it won’t be a problem but failing to provide this in writing
Hi Levin.
Its perfectly fine to travel to the US when positive, your status won’t be an issue.
Please I want to travel to the U.S.A next year that is 2019. I don’t know if the ban on hiv travelers is still in full operation. I read some articles which said Obama lifted it in 2010 but other articles say US is one of the top countries with that restriction. Please clear my doubts
Hi Poxie,
There is a restriction on HIV positive people who want to stay in Qatar longer than a month. There is more information on the HIV travel Qatar page.
Hi administration
I will be travelling to Thailand with a stop over in Qatar. I’m hiv positive and on treatment. Will this affect my travel as much doctor has issued a letter to stipulate what meds I’m on
Hi Franco,
Here’s a link to HIV Travel. It looks like there’s not a problem with Serbia. Unfortunately Qatar has severe restrictions. But if just stopping for a flight change Qatar looks okay but only for less than a month. It’s a good idea to check with the Embassies, perhaps anonymously, in case this site needs updating.