hiv travel ban countries

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Which Countries Restrict Travel to People With HIV?

It was only in 2010 that the United States finally lifted its 22-year ban on travelers with HIV , a law that prohibited all infected persons from obtaining tourist visas or permanent residence status in the U.S.. The order, initiated by George H.W. Bush in 2008, was made official by Barack Obama on January 4, 2010.

While efforts are being made to end similar laws throughout the world, the Global Database on HIV-Specific Travel & Residence Restrictions (a joint European initiative published by the International AIDS Society) reports that as of 2023, 56 out of 200 countries are known to have entry regulations for people living with HIV, and seven of these countries will categorically refuse entry without exception. In some of these countries, entry may be allowed, but there are restrictions depending on the length of stay. For example, 54 countries have restrictions on stays over 90 days (student and work visas); whereas less than 10 countries have laws that can affect travelers visiting for less than 90 days (tourists). Furthermore, 18 of these countries will deport visitors discovered to have HIV.

HIV Travel Restrictions in Practice

It is important to note, however, that there is often a lack of clarity about these laws, with some either not addressing HIV directly (describing only "infectious disease" concerns) or not enforcing the laws all that stringently, if at all. As such, the assessments provided below are couched in terms that best reflect whether an action "will," "can" or "may" take place.

Similarly, there is a lack of clarity about the import of antiretroviral drugs —whether the drugs are allowed for personal use; how much can be brought in if they are permitted; or if possession of such constitutes the right to deny entry.

For these reasons, it is advised that you always speak with the consulate or embassy of any of the listed destinations if you plan to visit.

Countries With Restrictions for People Living with HIV

Algeria (>90 days)

Aruba (>90 days)

Australia (>90 days)

Azerbaidjan (>90 days)

Bahrain (>90 days)

Belize (>90 days)

Bhutan (>2 weeks)

Bosnia Herzegovina (>90 days)

Brunei (no entry, will deport)

Cayman Islands (>90 days)

China (>90 days, will deport)

Cuba (>90 days)

Cyprus (>90 days)

Dominican Republic (>90 days)

Egypt (>90 days, will deport)

Equatorial Guinea (no entry, will deport)

Honduras (>90 days)

Iran (>90 days)

Iraq (>10 days, possible deportation)

Israel (>90 days)

Jordan (no entry, will deport)

Kazakhstan (>90 days)

Kuwait (>90 days, will deport)

Kyrgyzstan (>60 days)

Lebanon (>90 days, will deport)

Malaysia (>90 days, will deport)

Marshall Islands (>30 days)

Mauritius (>90 days)

Montserrat (>90 days)

Nicaragua (>90 days)

North Korea (will deport)

Oman (>90 days, will deport)

Papua New Guinea (>6 months)

Paraguay (>90 days)

Qatar (>1 month, will deport)

Russia (>90 days, will deport)

Samoa (>90 days)

Saudi Arabia (>90 days, will deport)

Seychelles (>90 days)

Singapore (>90 days)

Slovakia (>90 days)

Solomon Islands (no entry, will deport)

St. Kitts and Nevis (>90 days)

St. Vincent and Grenadines (>90 days)

Sudan (>90 days)

Suriname (entry restrictions)

Syria (>90 days, will deport)

Tonga (>90 days)

Tunisia (>30 days)

Turks and Caicos Islands (>90 days)

United Arab Emirates (UAE) (no entry, will deport)

Uzbekistan (>90 days)

Virgin Islands (>90 days)

Yemen (no entry, will deport)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Medical examination of aliens—Removal of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from definition of communicable disease of public health significance. Final rule . Fed Regist.  2009;74:56547–56562.

The Global Database on HIV-Specific Travel & Residence Restrictions. Regulations on entry, stay and residence for PLHIV .

By James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, MD Dr. Sifris is an HIV specialist and Medical Director of LifeSense Disease Management. Myhre is a journalist and HIV educator.

Categories of restriction

• Countries without restrictions These countries do not have any laws, policies or known practices that deny travel or migration based solely on HIV status  
• Countries with entry bar These countries do not allow people with living with HIV/AIDS to enter the country. They may have “waivers” for special circumstances  
• Countries with short term restrictions These countries have restrictions for stays for less than 90 days. The restrictions include that the country require disclosure of HIV status for short term stays OR demand mandatory HIV testing for short term stays  
• Countries with long term restrictions These countries have restrictions for stays longer than 90 days. This includes Confirmed restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS staying for a longer period of time (i.e. residency permit, work permit applicants, students etc.) Disclosure of status is mandatory when applying for permits  
• Countries with unclear laws/practices; more information needed Information received from various sources is either contradictory, not conclusive, or it relates only to particular groups or regions in the country (example: mandatory HIV tests for returning nationals)  
• Countries without information Despite all efforts, we have no information about the situation in these particular countries. We would appreciate receiving user feedback  
• Countries deporting people with HIV These countries deport foreigners who are HIV-positive

HIV-related travel restrictions

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HIV-related travel restrictions are defined as mandatory HIV testing and/or the prevention of people living with HIV from legally entering, transiting through or studying, working or residing in a country solely based on their HIV status. In 2019, 48 countries, territories and areas impose some form of HIV-related restrictions.

HIV-related travel restrictions usually involve a mandatory declaration of HIV status and/or testing, which is often conducted without appropriate counselling, confidentiality or referral to HIV prevention, treatment, care or support services.

A denial of, or waiver for, entry based on HIV status is usually noted in immigration and/or visa records. In addition, non-nationals who are found to be living with HIV during testing undertaken for the renewal of their study, work or residence permits may be confined in immigration detention centres—where they often do not receive HIV-related care—before being deported.

HIV-related travel restrictions undermine human rights and freedoms of people enshrined in international treaties and national constitutions, such as freedom of movement and choice of residence, access to and enjoyment of life opportunities and the ability to be united with families and to participate in social and public life.

HIV-related travel restrictions are not necessary and undermine public health

HIV is a communicable disease that raises public health concerns. However, it is a preventable and manageable chronic health condition that should be treated no differently from other conditions.

Although international health regulations require United Nations Member States to put in place an appropriate and efficient legal framework to prevent and respond to threats of international spread of diseases, “in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks,” restrictions on travel based on HIV status are not justifiable. HIV cannot be transmitted by casual contact and the mere presence of people living with HIV in a country does not constitute a threat to public health.

Evidence shows that people are more likely to seek HIV testing services when they are in a climate of trust and comfort. Mandatory HIV testing and fear of discriminatory treatment drive people away from HIV services. Bans on entry, stay and residence based on HIV status create a false sense of safety—they don’t protect public health and undermine the AIDS response.

Mandatory HIV testing and travel restrictions based on HIV status reinforce stigmatizing stereotypes against people living with HIV, leading to HIV being viewed as a foreign import that concerns only foreigners  (1) . In addition, fear of discrimination and deportation may prevent people living with HIV and people at higher risk of HIV from seeking and accessing the HIV prevention, treatment and care services they need, even when they are available.

The World Health Organization and UNAIDS recommend that HIV testing should always be conducted in accordance with the five Cs: informed consent, confidentiality, counselling, communication of correct results and connection with HIV prevention, treatment and care and support services  (2) .

International Labour Organization Recommendation No. 200 on HIV and the world of work recommends that, “HIV testing or other forms of screening for HIV should not be required of workers, including migrant workers, job seekers and job applicants” and that, “Real or perceived HIV status should not be a ground of discrimination preventing the recruitment or continued employment, or the pursuit of equal opportunities …”

Download the full Explainer on travel restrictions

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HIV and travel

• Make sure you pack enough of your anti-HIV drugs to cover your trip.
• Some live vaccinations are not appropriate for people with HIV.
• Some countries refuse work or residency visas to people living with HIV.

Many people living with HIV travel regularly for work, business, study, and for pleasure. In most cases, HIV is not a barrier to travel and holidays. This page provides an introduction to some of the issues you may want to think about if you are planning to travel.

As for other long-term health conditions, it is sensible to consider your health and medication when you make your travel plans. At the most basic level, consider if you are well enough to undertake the trip you are planning.

People living with HIV are able to travel to most countries of the world. But some countries have restrictions on entry for people with HIV, most often for people applying for a work or resident’s visa. See  Travel restrictions  below.

Also, find out if you need any  vaccinations  or other preventive medicines, and if it is safe for you to have them. What vaccinations you might need depends on where you are travelling to. If you are accessing travel vaccinations through your GP, it is important that they know you have HIV so they can give you the most appropriate care. It’s also important your GP knows about all the drugs (including anti-HIV drugs) you are taking, in case there are any possible interactions with drugs you might be given for travelling, such as anti-malarials or antibiotics. People with HIV are recommended to avoid some live vaccinations. Find out more on our page on the recommended vaccinations for people living with HIV.

Travelling with HIV treatment

Temporarily switching to injectable hiv treatment, treatment breaks, timing your doses, accessing medical treatment away from home, travel restrictions.

It might be very difficult, or even impossible, to get supplies of your medication once you’ve left home – even if you are just taking a short trip in the UK or Europe. Therefore, make sure you take enough of all your medicines with you to last the full duration of your trip. It might be wise to count out your medicines before you travel and to take a few additional doses just in case you are delayed.

It’s safest to carry your medication in your hand luggage, as this is less likely to get lost. Or you may choose to put some in your hand luggage and some in your suitcase, in case either bag is lost. If you are travelling to another country it makes good sense to have a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor  explaining that your medicines are for a chronic medical condition. Find out more on our page on travelling with HIV medication .

If you feel uncomfortable about travelling with your HIV medication or are concerned about entry restrictions for people with HIV, one option might be take injectable HIV treatment. Depending on what is available where you are, your doctor may be able to provide an injection which will cover you for the duration of your trip. You may need to switch back to daily tablets when you return.

At the time of writing, the only complete HIV treatment provided by long-acting injections is a combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine. In Europe, the brand name for injectable cabotegravir is  Vocabria,  while the brand name for injectable rilpivirine is  Rekambys.  In North America and Australia, the two drugs are packaged together, with the brand name of  Cabenuva.

The injections can be taken either once a month or every two months. They would not suitable for a trip of longer than two months. For more information, see our page on cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections .

Treatment breaks  are not recommended. If you are thinking of taking a break from your HIV treatment to travel, then you should discuss the possible risks of this with your doctor. These risks include developing  resistance  to your drugs, being more vulnerable to health problems in the future and – if you have a low  CD4 cell count – of becoming ill while you are not taking treatment.

If you are travelling across time zones, this will have implications for the time you take your medication. Generally, it’s best to adapt to the time zone of your destination as quickly as possible – if you usually take medication with breakfast at home, you should take it with breakfast during your trip. Keeping the same routines around pill taking will probably help your adherence.

undetectable viral load

A level of viral load that is too low to be picked up by the particular viral load test being used or below an agreed threshold (such as 50 copies/ml or 200 copies/ml). An undetectable viral load is the first goal of antiretroviral therapy.

Measurement of the amount of virus in a blood sample, reported as number of HIV RNA copies per milliliter of blood plasma. Viral load is an important indicator of HIV progression and of how well treatment is working. 

A drug-resistant HIV strain is one which is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs because of an accumulation of HIV mutations in its genotype. Resistance can be the result of a poor adherence to treatment or of transmission of an already resistant virus.

chronic infection

When somebody has had an infection for at least six months. See also ‘acute infection’.

The act of taking a treatment exactly as prescribed. This involves not missing doses, taking doses at the right time, taking the correct amount, and following any instructions about food.

If you are stable on treatment with an undetectable viral load, then taking one dose of your drugs a few hours early or late, because of a change in time zones, will not usually cause problems. You can get more detailed advice on our page on travelling with HIV medications . You can also ask for help from your doctor or pharmacist.

If you live in the UK and are travelling elsewhere in the country, you should contact the nearest accident and emergency department if you need emergency care. You can be seen by a  GP  away from home as a ‘temporary resident’ if your trip is for under two weeks. If you are entitled to free NHS care, you can get this anywhere in the UK.

The UK has agreements with some countries  allowing for free or reduced cost medical care that a person may need.  This includes members of the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, but there are restrictions on the types of medical treatment that are covered. UK residents should carry a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) when travelling.

It may also be wise to consider taking out travel insurance. Most policies specifically exclude treatment for a pre-existing medical condition (this would include HIV), but will still provide cover if you have an accident or become ill with something unrelated to HIV. Some companies provide travel insurance cover that includes HIV. You can get more detailed information on our page on travel insurance.

A number of countries restrict entry for people with HIV. This means that foreigners with HIV may be refused entry, denied permission to work or settle, or even be deported.

A few countries ban all foreign HIV-positive individuals from entering a country; others have no entry restrictions for tourists but require individuals to be HIV negative in order to apply for a work or residence permit. There's more detailed information on our page on travel restrictions.

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Can I Travel Abroad with HIV?

With proper treatment, people with HIV can lead healthy and active lives, including traveling for business and pleasure. However, traveling to other countries, particularly developing countries, may require some advance preparation and special precautions.

Before You Travel

Covid-19 information.

CDC recommends making sure you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, and consider getting tested before travel. Follow all requirements and recommendations at each location during travel. If you are traveling internationally, check the COVID-19 Travel Health Notice for your destination and visit CDC’s International Travel webpage for requirements and recommendations.

Before you travel, see your health care provider or travel health specialist to discuss the medical risks you might face and what you should do to prepare for safe and healthy travel. Ideally, this conversation should take place at least 4-6 weeks before your scheduled departure.

Talk to your provider about the places you plan to visit . They may:

• Recommend certain travel vaccines . Most travel vaccines are made from killed bacteria or viruses and can be given safely to people with HIV and others with weakened immune systems. However, they may be less effective than in people with strong immune systems and may not provide full protection. Your doctor may recommend blood tests to confirm that a vaccine was effective or recommend additional precautions to keep you safe. Some vaccines are made from live viruses and many people with weakened immune systems should not take them. However, depending on the circumstances, the benefits of protection may outweigh the risks. Talk to your health care provider about what is recommended for you.
• Recommend you pack a supply of medicine like antibiotics to treat travelers’ diarrhea , which can affect people with weakened immune systems.
• Provide you with the name(s) of health care providers or clinics that treat people with HIV infection in the region you plan to visit.
• Advise you on how to minimize the risk of malaria and other insect-borne diseases such as dengue and yellow fever , depending on your destination. People who have weakened immune systems can get seriously ill from malaria, so it’s important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the preventative medicine, which may include taking it for several weeks before and after the trip. You should also take steps to avoid bug bites : wear insect repellent, wear long pants and sleeves, and sleep under a net if your rooms are exposed to the outdoors.

Also, educate yourself about your insurance policies:

• Review your medical insurance to see what coverage it provides when you are away from home . You may purchase supplemental traveler’s insurance to cover the cost of emergency medical evacuation by air and the cost of in-country care if these costs are not covered by your regular insurance. View the U.S. State Department’s information on insurance for overseas travel .
• Take proof of insurance , such as a photocopy or scan your policy and send the image to an e-mail address you can access both in the United States and abroad. Leave a copy at home and tell your friends or family where it is located.

Stay Up to Date on Your Sexual Health Care

Whether you are traveling or staying close to home for events, CDC recommends the following:

• Visit your health care provider or find a health clinic to stay up to date with your sexual health care. Discuss the types of sex you have so that your provider can offer testing and prevention services, including vaccines , that are right for you.
• Know your HIV status. If you don’t know your HIV status, get tested near where you live, work, or play, including options for ordering free self-testing kits Exit Disclaimer . No matter your results, there are steps you can take to stay healthy. If you don’t have HIV, you have options to prevent HIV, including finding a PrEP provider to see if PrEP is right for you. If you test positive, you can find a care provider and live well with HIV. HIV treatment will keep you healthy and prevent you from transmitting HIV to your sex partners.
• If you are sexually active, get tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like gonorrhea and syphilis. This is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. You can also find STI testing sites near you and learn more about how to prevent STIs .
• Get tested for viral hepatitis and consider vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. Learn about hepatitis testing, prevention, and treatment.
• Learn more about mpox and be sure to get your two-dose mpox vaccine. Mpox cases in the United States are becoming increasingly rare, but unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people who could benefit from vaccine may still be at risk. The best protection against mpox occurs 2 weeks after the second shot , so plan ahead and use other strategies to prevent mpox.
• Be knowledgeable of other infections like shigella and meningococcal disease , and how to prevent them.

When You Travel Abroad

Food and water in developing countries may contain germs that could make you sick.

• eat raw fruit or vegetables that you do not peel yourself;
• eat raw or undercooked seafood or meat;
• eat unpasteurized dairy products;
• eat anything from a street vendor;
• drink tap water (in developing countries some hotels may purify their own water, but it is safer to avoid it), drinks made with tap water, or ice made from tap water.

Do eat and drink:

• hot coffee or tea;
• bottled water and drinks (make sure the seals are original and have not been tampered with);
• water that you bring to a rolling boil for one full minute then cool in a covered and clean vessel;
• fruits that you peel;
• wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages are also safe.
• Tuberculosis is very common worldwide and can be severe in people with HIV. Avoid hospitals and clinics where coughing TB patients are treated. See your doctor upon your return to discuss whether you should be tested for TB.
• Animal wastes , such as fecal droppings in soil or on sidewalks, can pose hazards to individuals with weakened immune systems. Physical barriers, such as shoes, can protect you from direct contact. Likewise, towels can protect you from direct contact when lying on a beach or in parks. If you are in physical contact with animals, wash your hands thoroughly afterwards with soap and water.
• Take all your medications on schedule, as usual.
• Stick to your special diet , if you are on one.
• Take the same precautions that you take at home to prevent transmitting HIV to others.

Are There Restrictions on Traveling Abroad?

Some countries restrict visitors with HIV from entering their borders or staying for long periods of time. Others permit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identification. According to the State Department , more than 70 countries consider consensual same-sex relations a crime, sometimes carrying severe punishment. Before you travel internationally, be aware of the laws, policies, and practices in the country or countries you plan to visit. This information is usually available from the consular offices of each country or in the State Department’s country information summaries , along with information about entry and exit requirements.

Traveling to the U.S. from Other Countries

As of January 2010, travelers with HIV or AIDS are allowed entrance into the U.S.

What Travelers’ Health Resources Are Available?

CDC's Yellow Book , a guide to health information for international travelers is an excellent resource for anyone traveling overseas. The section on Immunocompromised Travelers has extensive information for people with HIV.

CDC’s Travelers’ Health website contains find information on:

• travelers’ health for people with weakened immune systems
• travel health notices for destinations
• recommended vaccinations and precautions for destinations

Additionally, the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV contain information about immunization against malaria and other infections that may be useful.

Related HIV.gov Blogs

• People with HIV
• CDC – Get Healthy and Ready for Summer 2023
• U.S. State Dept. – Traveler’s Checklist
• U.S. State Dept. – Your Health Abroad
• U.S. State Dept. – Traveling with Disabilities and Medical Considerations

Obama to lift U.S. entry ban for those with HIV

President Barack Obama said Friday that a U.S. travel ban against people infected with the HIV virus will be overturned early next year.

The order will be completed on Monday, Obama said, finishing a process begun during the administration of former President George W. Bush.

The United States is one of about a dozen countries that bar entry to travelers based on their HIV status. The ban has been in place for more than 20 years. Obama said it will be lifted just after the new year, after a waiting period of about 60 days.

"If we want to be a global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it," Obama said at the White House before signing a bill to extend the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program. Begun in 1990, the program provides medical care, medication and support services to about half a million Americans with HIV or AIDS, mostly low-income people.

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control received more than 20,000 responses, about 18,500 of which were a form letter in support of the change. The others were individual comments, including some criticism of lifting the ban. Readers who want to review the remarks can go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/laws_regs/fed_reg/remove-hiv/index_hiv.htm and click on public comments.

Critics of proposal have said they were leery of the change, which could allow an average of 4,275 HIV-infected people into the country annually, with a lifetime medical cost of about $94 million for this admitted during the first year, according to early CDC estimates.

But health officials said the move brings the U.S. in line with current medical thinking.

The bill is named for an teenager who contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion at age 13. Ryan White went on to fight AIDS-related discrimination against him and others like him in the late 1980s and to help educate Americans about the disease. He died in April 1990 at 18.

His mother, Jeanne White-Ginder, attended the signing ceremony, as did several members of Congress and HIV/AIDS activists.

In 1987, at a time of widespread fear and ignorance about HIV, the Department of Health and Human Services added the disease to the list of communicable diseases that disqualified a person from entering the United States.

Tried to reverse ban in 1991 The department tried in 1991 to reverse its decision but was opposed by Congress, which in 1993 went the other way and made HIV infection the only medical condition explicitly listed under immigration law as grounds for inadmissibility to the country.

The law effectively has kept out thousands of students, tourists and refugees and complicated the adoption of children with HIV. No major international AIDS conference has been held in the United States since 1993 because HIV-positive activists or researchers could not enter the country.

Obama said lifting the ban "is a step that will save lives" by encouraging people to get tested and to get treatment.

Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality, said the ban pointlessly has barred people from the United States, and separated families with no benefit to the public health.

"Now, those families can be reunited, and the United States can put its mouth where its money is: ending the stigma that perpetuates HIV transmission, supporting science and welcoming those who seek to build a life in this country," said Tiven, whose organization works for fairness in immigration for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive people.

Under a program begun by Bush, the United States spends billions of dollars annually to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

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HIV Travel Ban Countries and Travelling with HIV

22 Jun 09:59

Travel for HIV positive people has been a controversial subject. In the past, many countries had restrictions on whether people with HIV could visit.

Thankfully, many countries worldwide have lifted their HIV travel restrictions and the countries that do still have restrictions are mostly with regard to longer term stays for study, work or immigration.

The USA lifted their travel ban in 2010 under the Obama administration, so there are no longer any restrictions for HIV positive people travelling to the USA.

This article will list the countries that do have restrictions in place and then give a little guidance on what you need to know about travelling with HIV.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

Countries with Restrictions in Place

HIV travel restrictions are still in place in some specific countries. These are:

• Aruba - There are no restrictions for short term tourist visits but restrictions are in place for work and residency permits.
• Australia - There are no restrictions for travellers. However, permanent residency visa applicants will be tested and considered in line with immigration regulations for all chronic health conditions that require considerable treatment expense.
• Azerbaidjan - E-visa applicants must be HIV negative in order to receive a visa.
• Bahrain - There are no restrictions in place for tourists but people seeking residence will be deported if they test positive for HIV.
• Bangladesh - There are no restrictions on entry but deportation is possible if HIV+ status becomes known to the authorities.
• Bhutan - Travellers visiting for less than 2 weeks face no restrictions but stays of longer than 2 weeks are only permitted with proof of a negative HIV test that is less than 6 months old.
• Brunei - Known cases of HIV+ people are not permitted to enter Brunei. Testing is compulsory for all student, work and residency permits and positive cases will be deported. However, testing is not carried out for short term visitors.
• China - There are no restrictions for short term travellers but work and study visas for longer than 6 months require HIV tests.
• Cuba - There are no restrictions for short term tourism but students and people wishing to stay for longer than 3 months require testing.
• Cyprus - There are no restrictions for short visits but people from non EEA countries seeking student, work or residency permits must be tested.
• Dominican Republic - There are no restrictions for tourists but work and residency visa applicants must be tested.
• Ecuador - There are no restrictions for short term tourism but long term residence applicants must test negative.
• Egypt - Tourists are not required to be tested but people wishing to gain work or residence permits must test negative for HIV.
• Equatorial Guinea - There are increasing restrictions for travellers of all time frames going to Equatorial Guinea. Currently it’s not clear what the restrictions are but it’s likely that HIV+ people will be restricted from entering.
• Honduras - No restrictions apply for tourists but restrictions apply for work permit applications.
• Iran - There are no restrictions for visitors coming to Iran for stays of up to 3 months. However longer stays and all people applying for work or residence permits must provide a negative test result.
• Iraq - All visitors staying longer than 10 days are required to be tested for HIV, with the exception of diplomats, and positive cases will likely be deported.
• Israel - The only restrictions in place for Israel appear to be for those applying for work permits.
• Jordan - HIV+ people are restricted from entering Jordan. However, no tests are required for visits of up to 30 days. People seeking work permits or residency will be subjected to a test within one month of arrival and deported if the test is positive.
• Kazakhstan - The only restriction in place for Kazakhstan is for residency applicants who must prove that they are HIV negative.
• Kuwait - No testing is required for visits of up to 90 days but for visas for longer than 90 days the applicant must be tested for HIV. Positive cases will be deported.
• Kyrgystan - No restrictions are in place for visits of less than 60 days. Stays of longer than 60 days may require a test, and all work visa applicants are required to be tested.
• Lebanon - There are no restrictions in place on arrival but migrant workers are required to pass an HIV test.
• Malaysia - No restrictions on short term visits but longer term stays require negative HIV test and deportation is likely upon a positive test.
• Marshall Islands - Tourists visits for less than 30 days face no restrictions but tests may be required for longer than 30 days.
• North Korea - There are no restrictions on entry but deportation is likely if HIV+ status becomes known to the authorities.
• Oman - No restricts for short term visits but longer term visits and work permits are subject to a negative test. Positive cases will be deported.
• Qatar - An HIV test is required for anyone wanting to stay longer than 30 days.
• Russia - No restrictions are in place for people visiting for less than 90 days. However, HIV testing is required for multi-entry visas and stays longer than 90 days. Medical certificates showing a negative test can be provided from other countries.
• Solomon Islands - HIV tests are required for people who wish to stay longer than 90 days in the Solomon Islands. Entry is likely to be denied and deportation is possible for HIV+ people.
• Suriname - The situation in Suriname is currently unclear. It appears that visitors from Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia must prove that they are HIV negative and employers will also likely request an HIV test.
• Syria - Tourist visas, including multi-entry visas valid for 6 months, do not require testing. However, work and residency permits do.
• Tunisia - The situation in Tunisia is unclear. Tourists visiting for short visits are unlikely to be restricted but work and residency permits require a health check which may result in denial in HIV+ cases.
• United Arab Emirates - The UAE does not screen tourists who plan to stay for less than 60 days, but for everyone else, screening once in the country is mandatory. Test completed outside of the UAE are not accepted and anyone found to be HIV+ will be deported.
• Yemen - Yemen restricts all HIV+ cases from entering the country. However, while testing is required for longer stays such as students, people wanting to work, refugees and immigrants, visitors staying in the country for less than 90 days are not screened.

ESTA Restrictions

People who are citizens of countries within the USA’s Visa Waiver Program can travel to the USA on an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) instead of a visa.

Prior to 2010, HIV+ people were not eligible to travel to the USA on an ESTA. However, as the US HIV travel ban has now been lifted, HIV+ people can travel to the USA on an ESTA just like anyone else.

Apply here for your next trip, or check the status of your ESTA here if you already have one.

Of course, the US authorities will check your background and different factors might affect the acceptance of your application. But there is no reason to think that HIV could cause specific problems.

If you want to double check your eligibility, have a read through the ESTA questions here to be sure.

Or, if you’re going to be travelling for longer and applying for a visa, find out more about the questions you’ll be asked here .

Travelling with HIV

The main thing that will affect you as an HIV+ traveller is travelling with HIV medication. If you are travelling with specific medication it is strongly advised to keep in mind all of the factors regarding travelling with medication in general.

For example, travelling with a letter from your doctor explaining your medication, keeping the medication in its original packaging and making sure you keep a copy of your prescription with your name and address is usually a good place to start.

This is pretty much standard protocol for travelling to the USA with HIV medication and any other prescription medication. US customs require a doctor’s certificate in English, explaining that the drugs are required for personal use. Also, make sure you travel with your medication in your hand luggage in case your checked bags are lost or delayed.

You should also make sure that your travel insurance covers any medical treatment you may require while away from home, and that you are eligible to travel under your insurance policy as an HIV+ person.

Can I travel to the USA with HIV?

Yes, absolutely. The USA’s HIV travel ban was lifted in 2010 and there are now no restrictions on travelling to the USA with HIV.

Is HIV test required for US Visa?

No, an HIV test is no longer required for US visas.

Are HIV patients allowed to travel abroad?

Definitely. Provided you’re well enough to travel and have all the appropriate medication for the duration of your trip, and appropriate travel insurance.

What countries can you visit if you have HIV?

Almost all western countries have no restrictions for travellers with HIV. Many eastern countries do have restrictions in place. However, they are predominantly in place for longer-term visits such as student, work and residency permits.

How do you travel with HIV medication?

Make sure you have a doctor’s certificate and your prescription paperwork proving that your medication is yours and necessary for personal use. Make sure the medication is in its original packaging and that you have enough to last you should your return home be delayed.

Freedom to Travel

Currently, with the exception of a few countries on the list above, the vast majority of countries have no restrictions in place for HIV+tourists travelling for short visits.

The restrictions tend to set in once longer-term visits, study, work or residency are considered.

To conclude, double-check the restrictions for the country you want to visit, make sure you have enough medication and accompanying paperwork for the duration of your trip, and make sure you have good travel insurance!

Which countries that do not allow HIV positive people to visit?

16 April 2021. Related: All topics , Travel .

Can you please name a few countries who do not allow hiv +ve people? What about Saudi Arabia ?

Answer: Simon Collins

Further information on the legislation of the different countries is published at the following link: https://www.hivtravel.org

It is important to recognise that what countries have on paper is impossible to enforce in practice. Even when countries say that HIV is a bar to entry, and even if they maintain the right to test you, this very rarely happens unless they have a reason to think you are HIV positive.

Even with restrictive policies, for short trips, some HIV positive people still travel for holidays and business. The main complication comes if your meds are found by border control or immigration.

For this reason some people decide not to travel to countries that show this discrimination.

This Q&A was updated in 2021 from a post in May 2008.

277 comments

Hi Favour, you can use this website to search by country and learn of each of their HIV travel regulations: https://hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=190

Am HIV positive can I travel to European country of my choice without denied me visa

Hi Fadhli, yes you can get a job in the UK. There are no restrictions for people living with HIV.

HIV treatment is free for anyone regardless of residency status. Access is from local sexual health clinics.

When moving it is advised to carry a minimum of a months supply of treatment and your medical history notes to help streamline the process of accessing medication.

Hi I would like to ask if someone with HIV status like me but my viral load is non detective and I take daily medicine (EFAVIRENZ 600mg and TENOFOVIR 300mg + EMTRICITABINE 200mg). It’s I can get an unskilled job in London as a foreigner. If possible how to get and what are the requirements I need to provide and it’s possible to get free treatment and medicine. I hope you can guide me.

Hi Jafar, unfortunately KSA tests for HIV on entry regardless of reason for stay. This is conjunction with already being identified as HIV positive will likely result in the deportation of your friend.

More information about travelling to KSA can be found here: https://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=153

My friend has been terminated from his work in KSA because he tested positive in HIV and was sent back home. His question is can he still travel to Saudi Arabia using visit or tourist visa if ever he wants to visit his mom?

HI Gilbert, unfortunately some countries and not positively responsive towards people living with HIV. As with all types of discrimination there is no basis for this to occur, spawning from misinformation and other societal factors. Hopefully over time the UAE will follow suit with the progression of acceptance for people living with HIV.

It does not mean that the UAE is an HIV free country. They will treat home nationals and it is likely that other people living with HIV will not report their HIV status and continue to live in a country which is not welcoming to themselves.

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Vaping laws are changing in Australia. Here's what we know

The Commonwealth government's "world-leading" vape ban is expected to come into effect next week, but sudden changes mean they will be easier to buy in October.

The amendments to a bill before federal parliament have sparked disagreement among health professionals, law experts, elected officials and industry groups.

If the bill clears parliament, Australia will become the first country to ban the sale of vapes outside of pharmacies.

Here's what you need to know about the changes to the vape ban.

Is vaping banned in Australia?

From July 1, vapes containing nicotine can only be legally sold by pharmacies to people who have a prescription from their doctor.

It's part of a suite of measures taken by the Albanese government to limit the availability of vapes, while making them available as aids for people who are trying to quit smoking.

But amendments to the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 could make vapes available to many more people just three months later.

Who can buy vapes from October?

From October 1, pharmacies can sell vapes containing nicotine to anyone over 18 years old, eliminating the need for a medical prescription.

The change will occur because vapes containing nicotine will be downgraded from schedule 4 to schedule 3 of the poisons standard.

In many ways, the process of buying a nicotine vape will be similar to that of buying a packet of cigarettes — only from a pharmacy.

Vapes containing nicotine will only be available behind the counter and people will have to present identification to the pharmacist.

The packaging will be plain and their flavours limited to mint, menthol or tobacco.

The government claims the concentration of nicotine in e-cigarettes will be limited.

What if I'm not over 18 years old?

People under the age of 18 will need a medical prescription before they can legally purchase a vape from a pharmacist.

The Australian Medical Association believes only a small percentage of people under the age of 18 will be buying vapes from pharmacies.

Michael Bonning, chair of Public Health, said they could be a potential therapeutic option for young people addicted to nicotine.

"One of the ways we can bring them down off that and slowly withdraw them from their nicotine dependence is using vapes," he said.

How do pharmacists feel about the change?

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia represents 5,800 community pharmacies nationally.

A spokesperson said the change is "a bad decision" and describes the expectation that pharmacists become vape retailers as "insulting".

"Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who dispense medication that provides a proven therapeutic benefit," a spokesperson said.

"No vaping product has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration based on its safety, efficacy or performance."

Why is the government making the change?

The federal government has been trying to pass its "world leading" vape bill after it was introduced into parliament in March 2024.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the amendment was made to win the support of the Greens in the Senate.

The support could see the bill pass parliament and the ban come into effect next week.

Roger Magnusson, an expert in Health Law and Governance at the University of Sydney Law School, described the amendment as a "bad decision for public health".

"Vapes have been returned to being lifestyle commodities rather than therapeutic products," he said.

"Pharmacies [like] Chemist Warehouse will now become Vape Central."

Will it be illegal to buy a vape?

No. Individuals can legally buy vapes from pharmacies.

They'll need a medical prescription from July 1, but that won't be a requirement from October 1, when vapes containing nicotine are downgraded on the poisons schedule.

Can I get them from anywhere other than pharmacies?

No. If the bill passes parliament, from July 1, it will be unlawful for people or businesses to supply, manufacture, import or sell a vape outside of a pharmacy.

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Hurricane Beryl an 'extremely dangerous' Cat 4 storm as it barrels toward Caribbean

Beryl's center was forecast to move across the windward islands early monday..

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on Hurricane Beryl for Sunday, June 30. For the latest news updates on the Hurricane Beryl , view our live storm updates file .

Beryl — the first hurricane of the 2024 season — intensified Sunday into a high-octane, "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm packing life-threatening winds as it barreled toward the Caribbean.

Beryl is about 150 miles southeast of Barbados and 245 miles east-southeast of St. Vincent, with maximum sustained winds at 130 mph, the National Hurricane Center said at 11 p.m. But fluctuations in strength are possible over the next day or so. 

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend out up to 115 miles from the center, according to the center's update. Tropical storm watches were posted for Dominica and the southern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. A tropical storm warning was also issued for Martinique and Trinidad.

As Beryl crosses the Windward Islands on Monday, potentially catastrophic wind damage is expected where the eyewall moves through, with the highest risks of the core in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, the hurricane center added."Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds" indicated in advisories, "and in some elevated locations could be even greater," the hurricane center said.

Hurricane warnings, meaning hurricane conditions are expected in the area, were in effect Sunday for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada, and Tobago.

Beryl could bring 1 to 4 inches of rain to southeastern Puerto Rico on Monday night and into Tuesday. 

Beryl is the first hurricane of what is expected to be an extraordinary 2024 season . Tropical Storm Alberto , the first named storm of the season, left at least four people dead in Mexico after it made landfall on June 20. Beryl underwent rapid intensification: It was declared a tropical depression and then a tropical storm on Friday, and by Sunday was a major hurricane.

By Thursday night, the hurricane center named the third tropical storm of the season. Tropical Storm Chris developed in the Bay of Campeche and located about 105 miles southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico, by 11 p.m.

Fueled by warm water: Hurricane Beryl, super-charged by warm seas, stuns experts

Track Beryl's path: Tropical storm Beryl expected to become first Atlantic hurricane of 2024 season

The third earliest Atlantic major hurricane on record

As Beryl strengthened, it's setting several records, according to Phil Klotzbach, a senior research scientist at Colorado State University. They include:

∎ The first June major hurricane east of the Lesser Antilles on record.

∎ The third earliest Atlantic major hurricane on record, trailing Alma on June 8, 1966, and Audrey on June 27, 1957.

∎ Beryl is now the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record. The current record was held by Hurricane Dennis which became a Category 4 on July 8, 2005.

See Beryl's eye: Hurricane Beryl's eye on NOAA satellite

Will Hurricane Beryl hit the US?

It's too soon to determine the path and strength of Beryl when the storm gets to the western half of the Caribbean later this week − and whether it could impact the U.S. Gulf Coast. The hurricane center expects Beryl to remain a hurricane as it reaches Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Friday.

But forecasters warned U.S. residents to stay vigilant. "At this point, the most likely scenario is for the storm to move westward into Mexico; however, it is very important to note that if the high pressure across the Southeast weakens, that can allow the storm to move farther north and potentially directly impact the Gulf Coast,"  AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva said.

Tropical Storm Chris

On Sunday afternoon, Tropical Depression 3 formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico about 185 miles east-southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico, with sustained winds of 35 mph. It became the season's third tropical storm by late Sunday and had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

The storm was expected to weaken and dissipate as it moves inland over Mexico on Monday. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Cabo Rojo to Puerto Veracruz.

"Chris will begin to weaken after landfall and will likely dissipate later on Monday," the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. advisory.

According to the hurricane center, the system is expected to cause heavy rainfall over parts of eastern Mexico into Monday, which could produce flooding. It's forecast to produce rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches with maximum rainfall totals around 12 inches possible across the higher terrain.

Mudslides were also possible in the higher terrain of the Mexican states of Guanajuato, Queretaro, and San Luis Potosi.

"Due to this threat, the government of Mexico has issued tropical storm warnings along parts of the Mexico gulf coast," AccuWeather said. "Heavy rain and gusty winds have already begun moving into Mexico as of Sunday afternoon and will continue through Monday."

What is rapid intensification?

Rapid intensification is a process in which a storm undergoes accelerated growth: The phenomenon is typically defined to be a tropical cyclone (whether a tropical storm or hurricane) intensifying by at least 35 mph in a 24-hour period.

By 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Beryl had become a Category 4 hurricane, with winds of 130 mph. That's a gain of 95 mph in just 42.5 hours.

"Rapid intensification occurs when a tropical storm or hurricane encounters an extremely conducive environment," Klotzbach said . "Typically, this environment consists of very warm water, low vertical wind shear and high levels of midlevel moisture."

Life-threatening storm surge, flooding likely

Swells from Hurricane Beryl should begin reaching the Windward and southern Leeward Islands by late Sunday and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. The storm surge as the hurricane arrives on Monday may reach 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels and bring "large, destructive waves" to the coast, the hurricane center said.

Rainfall could cause flooding and is expected to dump 3 to 6 inches in Barbados and the Windward Islands Sunday night into Monday. Up to 10 inches are possible in isolated locations, especially in the Grenadines. 

The hurricane center urged anyone living in the central and western Caribbean to monitor the storm's progression given the uncertainty of the forecast.

What are the Windward Islands?

The Windward Islands are a group of Caribbean islands in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea. They include Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are sometimes included in the group.

They are called "windward" − which means upward from a given point − because they are more windward to arriving ships than the Leeward Islands.

What is the outlook for the 2024 hurricane season?

Federal forecasters have predicted a hurricane season unlike any other, with as many as 25 named storms possible.

It is the most storms the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has ever predicted in a preseason outlook. "All the ingredients are in place for an active season," National Weather Service director Ken Graham said in May.

NOAA director Rick Spinrad said the Atlantic hurricane season is shaping up to be "extraordinary" − an 85% chance for an above-average year. "The forecast … is the highest NOAA has ever issued for the May outlook," he said.

See the path of Hurricane Beryl

Current weather advisories in the u.s..

Contributing: Doyle Rice and Mike Snyder, USA TODAY.