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 though, many people still visited these countries each year, travelling with their meds, without any problems.
This question was updated in November 2024 from an original post in May 2009.
Hey am planning to go to Dubai it am HIV can I go with my medicine
Hi Blessing,
Please see HIV Travel for Saudi Arabia. Residency and work permit applicants are required to undergo an HIV test.
As it says above, 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.
I need to travel to Saudi Arabia for 9 days will my HIV status an issue when applying for the visa
Hi Lungi,
Please see HIV Travel for United Arab Emirates (for Dubai). It says, Short-term tourist stays are possible but with some risk. HIV medication cannot be imported.
Hi
Me and my partner are planning to visit Dubai for 5 days .Will they ask about my HIV status .
Hi Pozzie,
Please see HIV Travel for United Arab Emirates (for Dubai). It says, Short-term tourist stays are possible but with some risk. HIV medication cannot be imported .
I’ve been to both Hong Kong and Malaysia several times with HIV Meds. Not sure about Dubai.
Dear Lisa.
I am grateful for your quick response on the travel restrictions to Malaysia. Be blessed.
Hi Lengwe,
Its ok to travel to Malaysia for a week, your status won’t be an issue.
Hi people. I always appreciate your advice on health issues that you provide on this website. Kindly advise on which diseases that Malaysia denies entry to travellers? Do those apply to short term like one week stay?