Caribbean
For entry and short-term stays, there are generally no restrictions for
people living with HIV across Caribbean states.
The following
countries have restrictions on long-term stays: Cuba, Dominican Republic, St.
Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Note that in Aruba, the
Cayman Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & the Grenadines
regulations are unclear or inconclusive, and no information is available for
Bermuda. You are advised to contact their respective embassies prior to
travelling for clear guidance.
East Asia
For entry and short-term stays, there are generally no restrictions for
people living with HIV across East Asian states.
In China, although the country has
lifted its ban on short-term visitors with HIV/AIDS the website www.hivtravel.org still recommends not to declare
your status on visa application forms and to be careful with voluntary status
declaration (e.g. refrain from wearing red ribbon stickers). An HIV test is
required for work and study visa applications of more than six months in China.
The only country in
East Asia that will deport on the basis of HIV status is the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).
Eastern Europe & Central Asia
The only country in Eastern Europe & Central Asia that may restrict
entry on the basis of HIV status is Russia. Here you are required to present a
negative HIV test result for a stay exceeding three months, or if you are using
a multi-entry visa. No HIV testing is required for short-term tourist stays in
Russia (up to three months), but foreign residents found to be HIV positive are
expelled.
In addition to
Russia, restrictions over both short-term and long-term visits apply in Azerbaijan
and Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan has restrictions over long-term visits.
It should be noted,
however, that in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan regulations are unclear or
inconclusive. You are advised to contact their respective embassies prior to
travelling for clear guidance.
Latin America
For entry and short-term stays, there are generally no restrictions for
people living with HIV across Latin American states.
There are
restrictions over long-term stays in Honduras, Nicaragua and Paraguay. In
Paraguay, for example, those travelling to the country with the intention of applying
for permanent residency are required to undergo HIV testing. A residence permit
is not granted in the case of a positive test result.
Note that in Aruba
and Suriname regulations are unclear or inconclusive. You are advised to
contact their respective embassies prior to travelling for clear guidance.
North Africa & the Middle East
North Africa & the Middle East is a restrictive region regarding
travelling and HIV status. An HIV-positive status may deny you entry to the
following countries: Iraq, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. In addition
to these countries, the following also deport individuals based on HIV status:
Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria. These restrictions may apply to both short-term and
long-term stays.
As well as those listed,
Israel and Tunisia also have regulations over long-term stays. In Israel, for
example, work permit applicants are required to present a medical certificate
and undergo blood testing.
Note that regulations
are unclear or inconclusive in Libya and Tunisia. You are advised to contact
their respective embassies prior to travelling for clear guidance.
North America
For entry and short-term stays, there are generally no restrictions for
people living with HIV across North American states. In the case of the USA, customs
regulations require people entering with prescription medication (including antiretroviral
drugs) to carry a doctor’s certificate in English, stating that the drugs are
required to treat a personal condition.
Previously, the US
travel ban prevented visits to the US by people with HIV, except in exceptional
circumstances. Although the ban was widely flouted, individuals with HIV who
were detected by US immigration staff were refused entry to the country and
deported. Following the removal of this ban in January 2010, HIV-positive
individuals can now legally visit and migrate to the US.
In Canada, all
foreigners intending to stay for more than six months must get tested for HIV. Long-term
visitors are assessed on the basis of how much ‘excessive demand’ they may
place on the Canadian health service. Following a recent revision to the law,
the threshold for what is deemed excessive demand was tripled to CDN$19,965.
This means that many people living with HIV will no longer be found medically
inadmissible and excluded from immigration to Canada. However, should you be
seeking a long-term stay in Canada then you are advised to consult the country’s
embassy to see how the regulations may affect your particular circumstances.
Oceania
For entry and short-term stays, there are generally no restrictions for
people living with HIV across Oceanic states. The exceptions to this are the
Solomon Islands, where entry may be denied on the basis of HIV status, and the
Marshall Islands, where HIV testing is required for temporary visitors staying
more than 30 days.
In Australia, HIV
testing for long-term visa applicants over the age of 15 is required. Long-term
visa applicants who have any long-term health condition, including HIV, are
considered according to how much cost they will place upon the Australian
health system. Information on this can be found on the Australian Government’s
website.
The following
countries also have restrictions on long-term stays: Marshall Islands, Papua
New Guinea, Samoa, Soloman Islands and Tonga.
Note that in
Micronesia, Solomon Islands and Tonga regulations are unclear or inconclusive,
while in Kiribati there is no information available on travel restrictions
relating to HIV status. You are advised to contact their respective embassies
prior to travelling for clear guidance.
South & South East Asia
There are generally few restrictions on entry and short-term stays
across South & South East Asia. The exceptions to this are Brunei, where people
known to be HIV positive are prohibited from entering and those found to be HIV
positive face deportation, and Bhutan, where travellers must present the
results of an HIV/AIDS test completed within the six months prior to their
visit if they wish to stay for longer than two weeks.
Other than Bahrain
and Bhutan, Iran, Malaysia and Singapore also have restrictions on long-term
stays.
Note that in Iran,
Maldives, Malaysia and Sri Lanka regulations are unclear or inconclusive. You
are advised to contact their respective embassies prior to travelling for clear
guidance.
Sub-Saharan Africa
There are generally few restrictions regarding entry to African states
and HIV status, with the exception of Equatorial Guinea. Here you may have to
present an HIV test certificate, and HIV-positive status could lead to refusal
of entry or deportation.
The following
countries have restrictions on long-term stays: Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius,
Seychelles, Sudan and Tunisia.
Note that regulations
are unclear or inconclusive in the following countries: Angola, Eritrea and Nigeria.
In addition, no information could be found for São Tomé and Prinicipe. You are
advised to contact their respective embassies prior to travelling for clear
guidance.
Western & Central Europe
For entry and short-term stays, there are generally no restrictions for
people living with HIV across Western & Central European states.
In Poland HIV-testing
is mandatory for longer visits (beyond 90 days), independent of purpose of stay.
In Hungary, a person may be expelled from the country should they refuse to be
treated for their HIV. Otherwise, there are no restrictions across the region
for long-term stays.