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 Sandy,
Info about traveling to the UAE can be found here: http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=189 It isn’t a very welcoming country for people who are positive.
Hi there
I am travelling to UAE in April 2019. I am HIV positive and I am medication. can I perhaps hide the medication on my check luggage or maybe mix with my blood pressure tablets. I have to visit my daughter . she is buying the tickets for me. I will be there foe 2 weeks only.
Hi Steve,
Are there any special circumstances you know about? Is there a problem because S was diagnsed while on a work medical there?
I wouldnt risk it.
Hi S,
If you’re not entering into the UAE then you won’t go through immigration, this means that your passport won’t be stamped. You’ll be in what’s called transit, so just changing planes. You shouldn’t be asked about your health at all as you won’t be entering into the country.
It’s just to swap planes but when I have done this before I still have to get my passport stamped and have been told the authorities have been notified about my circumstances. I just don’t want put in jail which is possible in such a backwards country. I’m hoping as I have a ticket for a connecting flight it won’t be a problem. I called the uae embassy in London and got no answer.
Hi S,
Are you just changing planes? If so you probably don’t need to enter the UAE. You could try calling the airline, anonymously perhaps.
I was diagnosed in Dubai on a work medical and was told the authorities would be notified and would no longer be allowed entry to uae. I’m wanting to go to Thailand and need to know if I’m allowed to transit through uae? I’m very nervous about being refused and embarrassed
Hi TT,
Yes you need to take your meds. You being in transit in Dubai won’t be an issue. Problems can happen when you enter into the country, which you aren’t doing.
Hi ther
am travelling tomoro evening 21st to thailand gonna connect in Dubai to go to Phuket then Thailand. ive been Living wt HIV for the past 9yrs on meds daily .must i take my meds along