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?
My name is Peter, I love travel to my dream country and stay there and work buh am HIV positive? Can them accept me to stay and work there?
Hi Frank, yes you can travel to America with your treatment and yes you can check them inn. It is advised to carry a supply on you just in case there is a delay with your luggage.
As with all medications it is advised to carry a doctors note/prescription with you as proof of personal use. You do not need to hide your ART, it is legal to bring your treatment into the country.
Good morning,my name is Frank,am HIV positive,my questions are,can travel to America with my antiretroviral tablets,and can I check inn my antiretrovial with my bag,can my antiretroviral be detected
Hi Elizabeth, your HIV status no longer impacts visa applications for the USA.
Will I be able to be given a family visa to stay in USA when a positive and my son too
Hi Caren, access to HIV treatment in the US will depend on insurance and work visas.
The US has a complicated and privatised healthcare system. The US does not provide treatment for free. The cost you will pay depends on a number of factors including your work, the healthcare insurance policy and even which state you are planning to move to.
Which state do you have in mind? Contacting an HIV charity based in that state will be able to offer more appropriate advice. As i-base is UK based we only have limited information about access in the US.
Hi…am Caren I m HIV positive and if I want to u.s. can I get arvs free like Kenya or I will buy them
Hi Phidelis, being HIV positive is not a barrier to entry in the US.
HIV is not considered a communicable disease so you do not need to declare this on entrance.
You can carry your treatment with you. It is best to do so with a prescription/doctors note that details it is for personal use. There is no specific registration requirement to be able to take your treatment with you.
I want to travel to America and am HIV positive buh my viral load is very low ,how do I go through the process in the airport and when i get to America how do I get registered there to be taken the ARVs
Hi Rahul, it is recommended to carry this prescription with you to prove what the pills are and they are for personal use.
However 5 pills is a small number and is unlikely to be a problem. If you are unsure you can carry them in a vitamin/supplement container.