Question
I am HIV positive, can I travel to the USA?
30 April 2012. Related: All topics, Travel.
Hi – I have two questions:
1. Can I travel to the USA if I am positive? If so, must I tell the airport authorities what my drugs are if they stop me? If so, will this be noted on my record anywhere? Or passport?
2. I normally take my meds at 8am (UK time). How do I change the time and to what now that I am going to the USA? I will be 5 hours behind which means I would need to take them at 3am which isn’t practical.
Answer
Hello,
Thank-you for your question.
There are no travel restrictions for HIV positive people traveling to the USA. All American travel restrictions relating to HIV status were lifted in January 2010.
Customs regulations require people entering with prescription medication like antiretroviral drugs to carry a doctor’s certificate in English, stating that the drugs are required to treat a personal condition. This requirement applies to all prescription drugs, not just HIV treatment.
Medication should always be carried in hand luggage, as checked luggage may be delayed or get lost. If you are carrying-on liquid medication exceeding 3 ounces / 100 ml, you must declare it at the checkpoint for inspection.
As for what time to take your medication, this really depends on which ARVs you are taking. For answers to similar questions please follow the links below:
I’m moving from Asia to Europe- when do I take my meds?
Can I occasionally stretch my atazanavir dose to 32 hours?
How do I time my meds when travelling?
Is foreign plhiv allowed to work in USA?
Hi Gugu
Healthcare in the USA is very complicated. If you are working there, your employer might run a health insurance programme that you can join. Otherwise you might need to arrange you own health insurance.
Another option is to bring medicines with you from your own country.
Please contact a community HIV organisation in the city or State where you are working for advice.
When im in the USA working how do I get my medication ounce its finished yet im still there
Hi Yusuf, unfortunately i-base is a treatment focussed charity and I am unsure of regulations regarding asylum seeking. Are you able to anonymously contact the embassy of the country you are seeking asylum to enquire about their HIV regulations?
Am HIV positive and I want to seek assylum at the UN offices, should I disclose my status to them?
Hi Chrstine, you can use this website to find out about each countries HIV travel regulations, if any: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?pageId=142
Hi. am Christine thanks am from Kenya Nairobi and am about to travel to Europe but I don’t know what to do about it
Hi Lucy, there are no restrictions in the US to prevent HIV positive people being allowed into the country. Your status should have no effect on your visa application.
Hi.i used an agency to apply for a internship in US so is possible to get denied for visa if I’m HiV
Hi Peace, thanks, good to hear from you and hope you are doing well. Most countries no longer have travel restrications for general travel. Some countries still discriminate against people living with HIV though, especially if you want to work or live there. The best site for info on each country is:
http://hivtravel.org