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!
I also wanna if the restriction applies to Poland.. I am a filipino guy and i have a boyfriend who lives in poland… as early as now we are discussing things about how i can possibly move there, do i have to disclose my status, we are planning to get maried there somehow…please anyone help enlighten me about this…
Hi LIVINUS,
This is something that you’d need to discuss with the British consulate in Nigeria. We aren’t able to help with situations like this.
am gay and HIV positive am a Nigerian but life here is so risky for people with a sexuality such as main can I get an asylum to remain in UK? so afraid my friend killed 3 weeks ago his only crime was being gay….please I need help and advice thanks.
Hallo my brother better you come to germany,the german state will take very very good care of you
Hi Ali,
No you don’t need to do a HIV test in the UK before you marry someone. Neither is HIV testing obligatory in the UK.
Hello, I want to marry with a woman in uk…does hiv test is a compulsory test for the marrage procedure? Does everyone need hiv test from his or her partner brfore they married (is it a common test)? Please answer it seperately
Hi Marvin,
There are no rules against entry or residence to the UK if you are HIV+. You can read more at this link.
Hi Dear,
Im Marvin, a nurse here in the Philippines, I am a HIV+ and I have a low viral load count. Ive been planning to work in Kingston Hospital in United Kingdom as registered nurse. I have british boyfriend there, he ask me to go and work there and soon to get married. Can I work there or do I have any problems regarding of my status? Please help me I need your advice. Thanks.
Hi Chris,
In the UK there are no specific entry or residence regulations for people with HIV. Please see here.
I’m HIV+.I am a Kenyan Suppossing I get a job in the UK, can I be restricted from working there if this is know by the UK authorities?. And if not will I be able to access the ARTs in the UK if I am allowed to work and live there? Thanks.