The UK requires a tuberculosis certificate for most visa applications over 6 months from applicants in listed countries. The test is a chest X-ray at a Home Office-approved clinic. Certificates are valid for 6 months. This guide covers which countries are on the list, how to find an approved clinic, and the timing that avoids certificate expiry before visa decision.
A UK visa TB certificate is required for stays over 6 months from applicants in listed high-TB-burden countries. The test is a chest X-ray at a Home Office-approved clinic only — certificates from non-approved facilities are rejected. Valid for 6 months from test date; must still be valid when UKVI decides. Standard Visitor and Marriage Visitor visas up to 6 months do not need the test. Book 1-2 months before applying to balance validity against processing time. |
The TB test requirement in one paragraph
If you are applying for a UK visa longer than 6 months and you have lived in a listed high-TB-burden country for 6 months or more, you need a tuberculosis certificate with your application. The test is a chest X-ray at a Home Office-approved clinic. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the test date and must remain valid on the date UKVI makes the decision on your visa. Visitor visas up to 6 months do not require TB testing.
The rule is laid out at gov.uk/tb-test-visa. It applies to Student visas, Skilled Worker visas, Family visas (spouse, fiancé, parent), Health and Care Worker visas, and any other route granting more than 6 months of stay. Standard Visitor visas (up to 6 months) and Marriage Visitor visas (up to 6 months) are exempt.
Who needs a TB test
You need a TB test if all three of these apply:
- Your UK visa permits a stay of more than 6 months.
- You have lived in a listed country for the last 6 months, or you are currently living there.
- You are 11 years or older (under-11s follow a different procedure).
The Home Office maintains the list of countries at gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb-test-to-enter-the-uk. It is updated periodically. As of April 2026 the list includes over 100 countries, covering most of Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of Central and Eastern Europe, and several South American states.
Listed countries that commonly surprise applicants
Applicants from the following countries often overlook the TB requirement until late in the process:
| Region | Countries commonly on the list |
|---|---|
| South Asia | India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan |
| Southeast Asia | Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar |
| East Asia | China (including Hong Kong BN(O) applicants), Mongolia |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, DRC, Zimbabwe and most others |
| Middle East & North Africa | Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen |
| Latin America | Peru, Bolivia, Haiti, and others |
| Eastern Europe | Moldova, Ukraine, and parts of the former Soviet Union |
EU member states (except Moldova and parts of Eastern Europe) are not on the list. The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Western Europe are not listed. Always check the authoritative list on GOV.UK — countries are added and removed.
Finding an approved clinic
Only Home Office-approved clinics issue acceptable TB certificates. Certificates from non-approved medical facilities — even well-known hospitals — are rejected.
The Home Office lists approved clinics at gov.uk/government/collections/tuberculosis-testing-home-office-approved-clinics. Country-specific pages list clinic names, addresses, and contact details:
- India: around 40+ approved clinics across major cities. IOM Migration Health Assessment Centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Lucknow are the largest. Smaller cities have private approved clinics.
- Pakistan: IOM centres in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore; additional private approved clinics.
- Nigeria: IOM clinics in Lagos and Abuja.
- Philippines: IOM and St Luke’s in Manila.
- Most countries: typically 2-5 approved clinics in the capital and major cities.
If your country is not on the list or has no approved clinic, you must travel to a neighbouring country that has one. The Home Office lists these “other countries with approved TB test clinics” separately — Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, UAE, and the US are common alternatives.
What the test involves
For adults and children 11 or older, the test is a chest X-ray that screens for active pulmonary tuberculosis. The process at an approved clinic:
- Book an appointment by phone or online (varies by clinic).
- Attend with your passport (must be the same passport used on the visa application), the completed health questionnaire provided by the clinic, and payment.
- Short counselling and questionnaire session with a clinician.
- Chest X-ray — the imaging itself takes a few minutes.
- If the X-ray is clear: certificate issued the same day or within 48 hours.
- If the X-ray is unclear or suspicious: sputum test required, results in up to 8 weeks.
The test screens only for active pulmonary TB — TB in the lungs, the only form that’s contagious during travel. Latent TB (inactive bacteria) does not disqualify you and is not screened for.
Cost
Clinic fees vary by country and provider. Typical ranges as of April 2026:
- India: approximately ₹3,500 to ₹5,500 per adult.
- Pakistan: approximately PKR 15,000 to 25,000 per adult.
- Nigeria: approximately ₦40,000 to ₦60,000 per adult.
- Philippines: approximately ₱4,500 to ₱7,000 per adult.
- UK (for BN(O) applicants and similar): approximately £75 to £130 per adult.
Children 11 or older pay the same adult rate. Under-11s are assessed by health questionnaire and physical examination, typically at a reduced fee. Sputum tests (if required after an unclear X-ray) incur an additional charge.
Children under 11
Under-11s are not routinely X-rayed. The parent or guardian completes a health questionnaire. A clinician reviews the questionnaire and examines the child physically. If no TB symptoms or exposure history are present, a certificate is issued without X-ray.
If the clinician identifies risk factors — close contact with a TB-positive family member, symptoms consistent with TB — an X-ray may be required. This is a clinical judgement made at the clinic, not a rule.
Pregnant applicants
Pregnant women are not exempt from TB testing. Three options:
- Standard chest X-ray with a lead apron shielding the abdomen — typically offered in second or third trimester.
- Sputum test instead of X-ray — longer wait for results (up to 8 weeks) and additional cost.
- Postpone the test until after childbirth — delays the visa application.
Discuss with the clinic at booking. Most approved clinics handle pregnant-applicant cases routinely.
Certificate validity and timing
A TB certificate is valid for 6 months from the test date. The certificate must still be valid on the date UKVI decides your visa — not just the date you apply. If UKVI processing takes 3 weeks and your certificate has 4 months of validity at application, you are safe. If your certificate has only 2 months of validity at application and UKVI takes longer than that, the certificate may expire before decision and your application is refused.
Practical timing: book the TB test 1-2 months before you plan to submit your visa application. This gives you time to gather other documents while ensuring the certificate remains valid through processing.
What happens if you test positive
A positive test for active TB means you cannot travel to the UK until you have completed treatment and a follow-up test confirms you are no longer infectious. This typically takes 4-6 months of supervised treatment (Directly Observed Therapy, DOT).
You do not receive a certificate on a positive test. Instead, you are referred for treatment at a local TB programme (often World Health Organization-affiliated). After successful treatment and a clear follow-up test, you can apply for the TB certificate and proceed with your UK visa application.
A positive test does not, in itself, affect your UK visa eligibility once you have been treated and cleared. UKVI does not retain records of treated TB diagnoses as a permanent bar.
Common mistakes that cause refusals
- Using a non-approved clinic. Certificates from prestigious-sounding hospitals are rejected if the hospital is not on the approved list.
- Letting the certificate expire before UKVI decides. Standard processing plus any additional checks can exceed the remaining certificate validity. Time the test carefully.
- Missing the certificate for dependants. Every family member 11 or older needs their own certificate. Children under 11 still need a clinic assessment.
- Low-quality scans. When uploading the certificate, ensure the scan is clear and shows all details including the clinic’s approval stamp.
- Getting the wrong test. The UK requires a chest X-ray specifically. Blood tests, Mantoux skin tests, and IGRA tests are not accepted substitutes.
Related guides
- UK Visa from India 2026
- UK Immigration Visa Application 2026
- How to Apply for a British Visa 2026
- UK Visitor Visa 2026
Disclaimer
This guide reflects Home Office TB testing rules published on GOV.UK as of April 2026. The country list and approved clinic list are updated periodically. Always check the current position at gov.uk/tb-test-visa before booking. This article is not medical or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a TB test for a UK visa?
You need a TB test if: your visa permits stay over 6 months, you have lived in a listed high-TB-burden country for 6+ months, and you are 11 or older. Standard Visitor and Marriage Visitor visas (up to 6 months) don’t require testing. The country list is at gov.uk/tb-test-visa and includes most of Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe.
How long is a UK visa TB certificate valid?
6 months from the test date. The certificate must still be valid on the date UKVI decides your application — not just the date you apply. Book the test 1-2 months before applying to ensure validity through processing.
Can I use any clinic for the UK visa TB test?
No. Only clinics approved by the Home Office issue acceptable certificates. The approved clinic list is at gov.uk/government/collections/tuberculosis-testing-home-office-approved-clinics. Certificates from non-approved clinics — even well-known hospitals — are rejected.
How much does the UK visa TB test cost?
Varies by country. India: ₹3,500-5,500. Pakistan: PKR 15,000-25,000. Nigeria: ₦40,000-60,000. Philippines: ₱4,500-7,000. UK clinics for BN(O) applicants: £75-130. Children 11+ pay the adult rate; under-11s typically a reduced fee. Sputum tests cost extra.
Do children need a TB test?
Children 11 and older follow the adult chest X-ray procedure. Under-11s are assessed by health questionnaire and physical examination — no X-ray is routinely taken. If the clinician identifies TB risk factors, an X-ray may be required. A certificate is still issued for under-11s who clear the assessment.
What if I’m pregnant?
Pregnant women are not exempt. Three options: chest X-ray with lead apron shielding (second or third trimester), sputum test instead of X-ray (longer wait), or postpone until after childbirth. Most approved clinics handle pregnant-applicant cases routinely — discuss at booking.
What happens if I test positive for TB?
You cannot travel to the UK until you complete treatment and a follow-up test confirms you are no longer infectious. Treatment typically takes 4-6 months. You are referred to local TB services (often WHO-affiliated). After clearance, apply for a new TB certificate and proceed with your UK visa — a treated TB history does not itself bar future applications.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants: Overview
- GOV.UK — Countries where you need a TB test for your UK visa
- GOV.UK — Home Office-approved TB testing clinics
- GOV.UK — Other countries with approved TB test clinics
- International Organization for Migration (IOM) — Migration Health Assessment Centres
