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?
Good morning am crystal and hiv positive,,can I still travel to the USA and still get a working permit ..and it it possible to keep it to myself without anyone knowing but will be taking my medication correctly..
Hi Anna, where in the USA are you? Are you aware of any HIV charities in the state you are currently in?
Recently I moved to USA. But my meds ran out already. I’m in the process to have a resident visa. Where should I look for help? How can I obtain the pills necessary for HIV?
Hi Spedita, being HIV positive will not impact on your success at getting a cleaning job in the US. Your status should not be a factor in you applying for your passport.
I wanted to look for acleaning job from USA. Should I process a passport.
Hi Gcinile, please see this previous question: https://i-base.info/qa/453
What about in the middle east countries are people living with HIV allowed to enter especially in Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia.
Hi Winnimi, as i-base is a UK based charity I am unsure of access in the US. Are you able to contact the insurance company directly? You would not need to disclose who you are, rather asking specifically about how access to treatment with this insurance will work.
Please i am to move and work in the US as a nurse If the employer provide insurance will it cover ARVs or i will have to pay buy myself and how much will i pay
Hi Treb, yes people living with HIV are allowed to work in the USA. It is encouraged that you carry with you at least 3 months of ARVs clearly labelled so that there is no stress on accessing treatment when moving. When applying for a visa/ESTA you are required to select “no” under communicable diseases as in the USA, HIV is no longer considered under this category.