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 Blue,
If you’re able to travel back home and get your meds, then that’s great. Its great because treatment for HIV in China can be an issue. Its up to you if you choose to tell your agent, you can do so if you wish or you could just leave it.
You may need to declare you status to the Chinese authorities if you’re going to be in China for more than 6 months. Please see here: http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=48 It may be a good idea to contact the nearst Chinese embassy to you.
I’ve been offered a teaching position in China. However I’m HIV positive and already on ARVS.. My CD 4 count is good and viral load is undetectable.. I’m pretty much very healthy and strong to travel.. Should I disclose my status with my agent? Can I take my meds with me to China enough to last me 3 months at a time as I’ll be traveling back home in every 3 months? Or should I just decline this offer because of my condition
Hi Durban.
If your sister is positive, its very possible that she’ll be denied a work visa for China. Also she may want to know that access to ARVs can be an issue. Ideally your sister should have her HIV under control before she thinks about moving overseas, and choose a country that is welcoming to positive people.
My sister want a job in China but she is HIV affected but she still healthy and strong , she did not start medication yet please what is your advise
Hi Sandra,
I’m not sure about your question. Are you still taking your HIV meds, and what ARVs are they? And do you have access to your CD4 and viral load results?
Please let us know.
Am hiv positive female looking for hiv positive male cos we only understands ourselves no negative person wants to do anything with us.am from africa nigeria thanks for the info cos anytime am traveling to dubai i dnt usually carry my drugs cos i was scared n by the time am back i will start having resistance on the drugs cos i have skiped them.will travel with them next time
Hi Latin,
Thanks – that’s great.
Thank you for answer,i travelled already and i had no problem in abu dahbi airport
Hi Latin.
Its ok to have your meds in your hand luggage, this won’t be an issue when in transit.
I am going to travel to phillipines through abu dahbi, i am positive to hiv ,abu dahbi only for transit,my medicines must be in my hamdcarry or in my luggages?