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?
Dear, good day
I first of all I have to thank you for your wonderful time and the good work you doing here for people like us you are giving hope back, I am positive and I am on my way to the us, can I still have access to treatment in the us in terms of my ARV drungs and I am a male, can I also get a positive female friend over there, thank you as I await an answer from you.
Hi Merlyn,
You being positive won’t be an issue as to why a visa application would be refused in the USA.
Hi I’m a registered nurse in south Africa.And I’m Hiv positive on Arvs.I want a job in Usa.will I get a working visa if I apply for one
Hi Thandi,
Being HIV positive shouldn’t stop people getting a job on a cruise ship. However, it probably could depend on where the cruise ship company is registered, and where it’s going to dock. Some large cruise ships have doctors, nurses and pharmacies, see here. But it looks like you’d need to pay for medication on board. Can you ask the company for their advice? Perhaps you could do this anonymously first.
Am hiv positive and i applied for a cruise ship job, my status can prevent me for getting a job on cruise ship? do they provide ARVS treatment on board?
Hi Anonymous,
There are no migration restrictions to the USA, see this link. But as Lisa says, If you are going to be moving to the States you’ll need to have health insurance just like Americans. This is how you’ll access ARVs.
I’m hiv+ living in South Africa and have applied for a job in the USA now they have asked me to do to a aids test is it required for me to so as I still need to go to the embassy for my visa Please help I’m stressed out about the whole situation and do I have to declare my status to the company that I’ll be working for
Hi Jackson.
If you are going to be moving to the states you’ll need to have health insurance just like Americans. This is how you’ll access ARVs.
I am in Africa, Namibia living with HIV, On ARV Treatment, i found a domestic work in USA, can i be provided with the ARV treatment in the states?
Hi Rhain,
You being positive won’t be an issue when applying for a visa for the US. Its also ok for people who aren’t from the US to move there. That is if they are given the right sort of visa.
If you are to move to the US you’ll need to have health insurance, just like Americans. This is how you’ll access medication.