Question
Are there HIV positive restrictions on travel to Dubai, Malaysia or Hong Kong?
2 May 2009. Related: All topics, Living with HIV long-term.
I’m visiting Dubai, Malaysia and Hong Kong and I am wondering if it is safe to take my HIV medication with me?
I’m worried about being refused entry into one of these countries, should they find the pills in my suitcase.
Thanks
Answer
You can get an official answer on entry restrictions to any country by contacting the appropriate embassy or consulate, or visiting their web site. If you are calling by phone, it is best not to give your name or say you are HIV-positive.
In practice, most people travel with their meds, sometimes in vitamin jars, and hope everything will be ok.
It can sometimes help to travel with a letter from your doctor, saying you are receiving medical care in the UK (not mentioning HIV), but that you are fit to travel. This might help if you are unlucky and get stopped by a customs officer.
I’m sorry this answer isn’t ideal but this is going to be a personal choice.
Some people decide on principle never to visit any country that has unfair entry criteria (including the US when those restrictions were still in place). Others decide they won’t let HIV stop them from doing everything they want in life, and decide that the relatively low risk of being questioned about meds is an acceptable risk to see other parts of the world (including the US).
This community site about HIV and travel lists statutory entry requirements for for most countries, but only includes the strict legal situation. Also check the information is up-to-date before relying on it.
Things can change over time. For example this site did not encourage visiting China when this question was first posted but this has now changed. This is because the Chinese policy changed to drop the entry bar to HIV positive people.
Even before this though, in practice, many thousands of HIV positive people probably visited these countries each year as tourists, travelling with their meds, without any problems.
Hi Devender,
Please see the following link:
http://www.hivrestrictions.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=189
I am HIV positive and I got opportunity to work in Dubai and everything’s is settled but I haven’t mentioned that I am HIV positive, if I will not apply for residence than can work over there ? Please suggest me because I am working at good position in India even though my boss is aware about it.
Hi Sisipho,
Working in the UEA for people who are HIV positive can be very difficult. This is due to their residency requirements and due to the fact that you can’t import ARVs into the country. For clarity you would need to contact their embassy. The following site gives some info:
http://www.hivrestrictions.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=189
Is there anywhere else where you’d like to go and work? Somewhere where people with HIV are welcomed, and where treatment is easily accessible?
I really want to go and work in Dubai. I’m on meds, and not sick, but I’ve just heard that, that may not be possible.
You can get an official answer on entry restrictions to any country by contacting their embassy or consulate. Or you could visit their web site.
If you are calling by phone, it is best not to give your name or say you are HIV positive yourself. Finding out about this can help you to make the decision about where you want to study.
I am from zimbabwe and I am hiv positive. I want to further my studies in Macau, Thailand or Phillipines. I am on meds and am confused, will they give me a student permit for any of the Countries. I hear that Macau has its own immigration polices although its part of China.
Hello,
If there are no restrictions there is no need to put your meds into another container. Whenever you are traveling with medication you should ask your doctor for a letter stating what your drugs are for. You can ask them to write ‘long term health condition’ instead of HIV if you prefer. The Terrence Higgins Trust has more information about this, and other issues related to HIV and travel.
I will be traveling to Hong kong, I understand there is no entry restrictions in HK, Does this mean that it is unlikely that I will be questioned if they see my meds? and is it safe to bring my meds in it’s own bottle(s) or should I put them in a vitamin container?
Please read the information above and see the link to the community travel site. It is not recommended to stop your treatment. Many people are likely to already visit Dubai without a problem. Perhaps take your meds in a vitamin bottle if your are on a combination that only includes a few pills each day. Even when countries have entry restrictions, these are often different for tourism, which most countries also want to encourage. Technically you would be doing this know there is a small risk of a problem.
i am HIV positive and will travel to dubai 7 day tour should I take my HIV medication with me