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
I’m a South African who is HIV positive, started taking my medication in 2010, my viral load is undetectable, I’m in a program with my Life insurance to make sure I’m keeping healthy .
I would like to join Royal Caribbean cruise ship as a beverage manager, am I employable, what are the chances, I don’t want to spend money on medical exams if I’m not employable.
Are there any cruise ships that can employ me under my condition.
Thanking you in advance.
Anonymous
Hi Milcah,
Please see this page at HIV Travel.
It says, All foreigners planning to work or reside in the UAE must be tested for HIV. Those found to be HIV positive will be immediately deported by the UAE authorities. HIV certificates issued by foreign medical authorities are not accepted.
Hi I’m Milcah I’m positive and on medication can I travel to Dubai for work and it urgent your quick response will help thanks
In advance
Hi Sandra,
As Rebecca says above, There are no travel restrictions for HIV positive people travelling to the USA.
What medication problem is there? Please let us know.
Hi i am HIV but i dont want to travel to US due to medication problem
Hi Michael,
As Rebecca says above, 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.
Hi,
I need your urgent reply…
Can I take 1 year supply of 360 Genovoya pills with a certificate into the US with me?
What is the upper limit for the pills?
Do I need to have them in original boxes?
Thank you…
Hi Darole,
You could try to get information from local and/or national HIV organisations that provide treatment advice.
If they are in a large city, there is likely to be a good HIV support group.
If not, then national services like Project Inform and GMHCare are worth trying first. Most US states have free ARV provision under ADAP, but there are both restricted ARV prescription list, and sometimes waiting lists are full. See ADAP Directory.
One of the organisations listed here should be able to tell you about having your meds sent over. You could also ask about monitoring at clinic if you’re planning to stay for a long time.
I’m hiv positive I really wanted to travel to USA and but I’m so scared that I will not succeed,but if I succeed to travel to USA
Can my family member be sending my drugs over to me ?
Hi A,
If you’re traveling with meds into the US its best to have a letter from your doctor explaining that you need to travel with your medication. If you were to be stopped, and your luggage checked I suspect they’d do this in a separate room. However, I can’t be certain about this. It might be better to have them in your hand luggage just in case your checked in luggage gets lost.