Question
Can I invite my HIV-positive partner to live with me in the UK?
9 June 2008. Related: Access to treatment, All topics.
Can I call over from abroad my HIV-positive partner to join me in the UK for permanent residence?
Answer
The UK does not put a ban on positive people, as long as they reside here legally. Also, although HIV testing is rare, I think that the UK reserves the right to include a health test, including HIV, if they think someone is travelling here who is not well.
There may also be differences depending on where your partner lives and whether you have a legally binding partnership. If you are married or are civil partners, then health issues like HIV-status may be fine, but if this is not a formally recognised relationship, then your partner’s HIV status could limit how easily they can enter the country, if this is something you disclose on the application form.
If your partner is a citizen of an EU country, he/she can come to the UK without a visa and this is much more straight-forward as EU citizens can travel freely between other EU countries.
If he/she is a citizen of a non-EU country, the process is more complicated. You will have to send him/her an invitation letter and go through the partnership visa procedure. It varies slightly by country, that is why you will have to check the exact documents necessary in the local British embassy.
If you are successful in your partners application to stay, according to the legislation, your partner will not legally be able to access HIV treatment for one year after arriving in the UK. Sometimes it is possible to be treated anyway, but this varies by hospital, region and other factors. If they are on treatment, then making sure that he/she has enough medications for that period may be important.
This is a specialist area and it might be useful to contact the National AIDS Trust (www.nat.org.uk) for their advice.
Best of luck!
Thanks for this enlightenment. I Lilian and I have been on treatment for over 15 year and my viral load is very low and o would like to travel and work in UK
But I have always hastated but now I am to begin working on my travel.thanks alot
Hi Emebet, thanks, hope everything goes well.
Thanks for the info my friend want to invite me to Wales
Hi Eunice, HIV is not a barrier to employment to work as a carer in the UK. You are not required to disclose your status and being HIV positive will not prevent you getting a job.
Kindly help me to get a job as a care giver in UK and am HIV positive
Hi Jane, yes you can get a job in the UK. Being HIV positive is not a barrier to employment in the UK and will not impact you getting a visa.
Hi,can I get a job in the UK?
, currently working with the G4S kenya
Hi Kiiza, how are you doing since testing positive? have you now started treatment?
Being HIV positive is not a barrier to entering/getting work in the UK. You are not require to disclose your status and you will be able to access treatment in the UK for free, regardless of residency status.
Please see this similar question for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/14800
I just tested for Hiv of recent and found out I was positive, I would like to travel to UK for work, how is this possible? Can I get a work visa?
Hi Daniel, yes you can work in the UK. The UK has no restrictions for people living with HIV. You can travel with your medication into the UK. You will also be able to access treatment once in the UK for free and regardless of your residency status.