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?
Hi, im zinhle, im planning on to go study in uk problem im hiv positive. will they allow me visa im suppose to leave end of april or may and my worry is my status
Hi Nelisiwe,
Its OK to apply for a work visa for the US,Canada and the UK. None of these countries will stop you working due to being positive. Dubai isn’t a very welcoming country for people who are positive, and you won’t be given a work visa.
Hi all
Am from South Africa hiv positive, I want to travel an apply for working visa to these countries, Dubai, USA, UK and Canada
My question is is possible to get a working visa?
Hi Tami,
You being positive shouldn’t be any reason why your visa would be denied. If you do however move to the US, you’ll need health insurance to cover your ARVs.
Hi
My name is Tami, I always have a dream of working or relocating to USA but I recently found out that am HIV positive. Is it still possible for me to get visa to another country
Hi Nafisa
I am sorry but i-Base is in the UK and refocus on treatment information rather than visa’s etc.
The US no longer has an entry bar for HIV positive people but there might be different rules for working and residency visas.
Some HIV positive people get working visa’s but it would be better to contact either a US organisation or the US embassy (probably anonymously).
best wishes
Simon
Hi Team, I am HIV positive and looking to work in USA, Can I ? And how do I take my medicine.
Hi Ameli, it is fine for HIV positive people to travel to the US. Please see this answer for details of how to travel with your meds.
http://i-base.info/qa/6774
I am HIV positive and I have to go to USA next January.
Hi Festo, I am sorry that i-Base is only for questions about HIV and treatment. Good luck with your plans.