Question
Are there HIV positive restrictions on travel to Dubai, Malaysia or Hong Kong?
2 November 2024. 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
Hi there
i-Base is a treatment information service and I am sorry we don’t have detailed information about travel and visa’s.
Please see this website for these details on each country: www.hivtravel.org
You should also be able to get an official answer on entry restrictions to any country from their embassy or consulate. This should also be on their web site.
If you are calling by phone, it is best not to give your name or say you are HIV positive.
Informal advice is that in practice, many people travel with their meds and hope everything will be ok. Airport transfers through countries with restriction might be ok.
It can sometimes help to travel with a letter from your doctor. This can say you are receiving medical care in the UK but not mentioning HIV. The letter should say that you are fit to travel. This might help if you are unlucky and get stopped by a customs officer.
Some people decide on principle not to visit a country that discriminates again HIV.
Others decide they won’t let HIV stop them from doing everything they want in life. They decide that the relatively low risk of being questioned about meds is something they balance with the chance to travel and see the world.
Things can change over time. Both the US and China had entry bans against people living with HIV. Both countries later changed these policies and now allow us to visit.
Even before these changes though, many people still visited these countries. They travelled with their meds, and were lucky, without any problems.
This question was updated in November 2024 from an original post in May 2009.
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