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 there!
I’m HIV+ and i want to study abroad in US and want to apply Green Card in US for Asylum because my country is no more safe. I want to know that can i get free or paid ART meds in US? Or someone who is in my country can be ship to US those ART medicine from DHL? And also can i apply for asylum & study
if i have HIV? Please help me!
Hi Judy,
Yes, positive people can work in Canada.
Can hiv person work I Canada Toronto?
Hi Jaysean,
Access to medication in the US is complex, if you’re going to travel to the US you’ll need to have some form of travel insurance. If you’re going to go for 6 months, the best thing to do would be to take 6 months worth of meds with you. If this isn’t possible then you’ll need to arrange access to ARVs when you’re in the US. As noted, it’s complex.
In the US there are a lot of HIV orgs, getting in touch with them may be an option.
Hello I’m from Burma …I want to travel to US for 6 months or more but I only have 3 months Med supply …how can I get ART supply . …..which Organization should I contact to get med supply and it’s need health insurance
Hi Annie.
As the above post explains, yes you can travel to the US when positive.
I am Annie and am Hiv+ can I travel to America
Hi Thandi,
If this is a US based company, your status won’t be an issue when applying for a visa.
I got a job as a receptionist at NCL cruises starting in August and I’m Hiv+ will this be a problem when I apply for a visa?
Hi Bongani,
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.