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.
Can I travel UAE as a tourist carrying my HIV med pills
Hi Dinesh, please see links posted in the main answer to this question and the comments left in the stem.
Hi, I am planning to go to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for travel & tourism!! Am I allowed to carry HIV medication with me? Am I first allowed to enter UAE as a tourist?? Kindly need help in understanding it!
Hi Fai, being HIV positive will not stop you being able to travel to Canada.
More information can be found here: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=39
I want to travel to Canada but iam HIV positive is it possible for to travel
Hi Lenoch, there are no restrictions/regulations for entering Turkey as a person living with HIV.
When carrying your medication with you it would be advised to carry a doctors note/prescription that details your treatment is for personal use.
More information can be found here: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=183
Please soon i’ll be in turkey for 7 days and am gonna take my 7 days HIV meds with me in my bag is there any problems ? And if they ask me should i tell them whats the meds for ? I am so sad and afraid for droping and losing my money for nothing
Hi Biba, there are no restrictions for people living with HIV entering Turkey. You are not required to test on arrival.
More information can be found here: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=183
Hey , iam an HIV+ and i want to travel to turkey next year but i saw that they dropted peaople who are positif of HIV is that true ? Please i want an answer and thank u
Hi Alex, only entering the country for 1 week will not require HIV testing. Carrying ART is not allowed even for personal use. You can try switching the bottle but this is no guarantee as there is some risk they will enquire about this. If you are found to be carrying ART you will be subject to the same discrimination as when tested positive and can face detention and deportation. This information is further explained here: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=189