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!
Hi, i am HIV + and an experienced nurse back in my home country. I will love to apply to work in UK as a nurse since i am unable to practice as a nurse now. Do i need to disclose my medical condition during interview with the NHS? Hw much is the successful rate of visa application on my case? Thank you!
Hi Tholakele,
ARVs are free to anyone who lives in the UK, this is even if you aren’t from here. If you do move to the UK, please get in touch. We’ll be able to tell you how you can access them.
Hi be I get arvs in England if i move there
Hi Mohd,
When applying for a visa for the UK, your status won’t be taken into consideration. This applies to most places in the EU.
Hi
Iam an indian can i applird for work visa for uk or europe please help me out for this
Hi Betty,
When applying for a visa for the UK, your status won’t be taken into consideration.
Hi dear
I’m Betty, a secretary here in the Ethiopia, I am a HIV+ & I have british husband 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.
I am hi v and work visa UK and I am indien
Hi,
Your status won’t be an issue when applying for a visa for the UK.
Hi Froilan,
Info about Poland can be found here: http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=145