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.
Hello – I lived in Malaysia for 2 years with HIV. No trouble at all – Just contact Martin at KLASS (Kuala Lumpur AIDS support services) I got a letter from the Government saying it’s OK to ship in my Meds. Plus, Dr YAP at RED Clinic has all current meds and can take blood tests without government interference. You’ll love Malaysia! Great County, lovely people, Lots of excitement with new government
Hi Lelo,
Info about living in Malaysia can be found here:
http://www.hivrestrictions.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=115
If you’re planning on going for a while, I’s consider getting in touch with the Malaysian Embassy.
Hi all, I need advice.
My husband and our two kids want to go and stay In Malaysia. I’m the only one HIV+ they are all negative. How are the restrictions for HIV in Malaysia? I don’t wanna stay there forever and I will be able to take two trips a year back to south Africa for my meds and all. I would mind staying in Malaysia for about three years or more ( havnt decided yet)
Any advice for me?
Hi Sannah.
Yes you can travel with your meds. My advice would be to carry them in your hand luggage.
Can I take my arvs by flight from Johannesburg to durban?for holiday
Hi Thando, This community site about HIV and travel lists statutory entry requirements for most countries including China, but only includes the strict legal situation. Also check the information is up-to-date before relying on it.
Hi what are the restrictions in China
Hi The link above links to this community site about HIV and travel and lists statutory entry requirements for most countries, but only includes the strict legal situation.
If you have hiv you CAN NOT visit Dubai!! They would like to be so modern but they are very old fashioned.
You can travel to Dubai with your medication. However if you are planning to work in Dubai and you are HIV +, then they will deny your visa. They will deport all immigrants that have HIV.