Between June 1997 and June 1998, 349 HIV-positive foreigners were deported from Saudi Arabia, according to the Okaz newspaper in Jiddah. The deported people--maids, drivers, and laborers--were all discovered to be infected through the mandatory HIV testing that is required for work permits.
Testing Requirements for Entry into Foreign Countries
An increasing number of countries require that foreigners be tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prior to entry. It is usually required as part of a medical exam for long-term visitors, i.e. students and workers. The following list of country requirements is based on information available as of July 2004 and is subject to change. Before traveling abroad, check with the embassy of the country to be visited to learn about entry requirements and specifically whether AIDS testing is a requirement. If the list indicates U.S. test results are acceptable and the word “Yes” appears with an asterisk beside it (Yes*) in a particular country, prospective travelers should inquire at the embassy of that country for details (e.g. which laboratories in the United States may perform tests and where to have results certified and authenticated) before departing the United States.
Australia All applicants for permanent residence. Temporary applicants need to declare any illness / condition at time of interview. Any temporary applicant who is likely to come in contact with blood must be tested. Yes*
Bahrain For all foreigners who are seeking work permits No
Belarus All persons staying longer than 3 months Yes
Brunei All persons applying for work permits No
Bulgaria All intending immigrants (and may be required for foreigners staying longer than 1 month for purpose of study or work Yes*
Canada Applicants for permanent resident visa and dependents, foreign nationals who plan to stay longer than 6 months, anyone claiming refugee protection, and those intending to work in an occupation which requires it. Yes*
Central African Republic Anyone seeking residence, work and student permits must submit to a medical exam (which includes an HIV Test) Yes
China, People’s Republic of Foreigners planning to stay for more than 6 months (testing is not required for entry or residency in Hong Kong or Macau) Yes*
Colombia Anyone who is a carrier of HIV needs to present documentation identifying themselves as such No*
Comoros Foreigners planning to work Yes
Cuba Anyone staying over 90 days, excluding diplomats Yes*
Cyprus All foreigners working or studying are tested after entry N/A
Dominican Republic Foreigners planning to reside, study or work No
Egypt Foreigners applying for study, training or work permits (spouses of applicants are exempt) Yes*
Georgia All foreigners staying longer than 1 month Yes*
Greece Only persons arriving to work as legal prostitutes Yes*
Hungary Anyone staying over 1 year, and all intending immigrants (some employers may require workers to be tested) Yes*
India All students over 18, anyone between the ages of 18 and 70 with a visa valid for 1 year or more, and anyone extending a stay to a year or more, excluding accredited journalists and those working in foreign missions Yes*
Iraq Since a new government is forming requirements Are still being determined N/A
Israel Government of Israel reserves the right to refuse entry to someone suspected of being HIV positive N/A
Jordan Anyone staying longer than 3 months No
Kazakstan All visitors staying more than 1 month must present a certificate of an HIV test within 10 days of their arrival Yes*
Korea, Republic of Persons entering on an E-6 visa to be engaged in performance or entertainment activities at tourist hotels and entertainment places Yes
Kyrgyzstan All foreigners, excluding diplomat, staying more than 1 month Yes
Latvia Anyone seeking a residency permit Yes
Lebanon Those planning to reside or work (universities may require testing of foreign students) No*
Libya Those seeking residency visas Yes
Lithuania Applicants for permanent residence permits Yes*
Malaysia Foreigners seeking work permits as unskilled and semiskilled foreign laborers Yes*
Marshall Islands, Republic of the Applicants for residence islands, and work permits Yes*
Mauritius Foreigners planning to work or permanent residence (testing performed upon arrival) No
Micronesia (Federated States of) Anyone applying for a work permit needs to obtain a medical clearance, which may include an HIV test Yes
Moldova Anyone staying more than 3 months Yes*
Montserrat University students and applicants for work and residency Yes*
Oman Those applying for residency No
Panama Women intending to work in prostitution No*
Papua New Guinea Applicants seeking work or residency visas and their dependents Yes
Paraguay Applicants seeking temporary or permanent residency status Yes*
Qatar Applicants seeking residency; if positive they are deported No
Russia Applicants applying for visas valid more than 3 monthsYes*
St. Vincent Applicants seeking temporary and permanent residency visas Yes
St. Kitts and Nevis Students, intending immigrants and anyone seeking employment Yes*
Saudi Arabia Applicants for residency /work permits Yes*
Seychelles Foreigners planning to work must under go a medical exam, which includes an HIV test, upon arrival No
Singapore For all applicants for employment passes, work permits and permanent resident status (except spouses and children of Singapore citizens) No
Slovakia Applicants for long term or permanent residency visas No*
South Africa All mine workers (irrespective of their positions) Yes*
Syria All foreigners (ages 15 to 60 years) staying more than 15 days No*
Taiwan Applicants for residency and work permits (testing is also required for anyone staying over 90 days) No*
Tajikistan Anyone staying more than 90 days (pending legislation) Yes*
Turkey Any foreigner immigrating or applying for permanent residence No
Turkmenistan All foreigners staying longer than 3 months No*
Ukraine Anyone staying longer than 3 months 30 days before arrival
United Arab Emirates Applicants for work or residence permits except those under age 18 Testing on arrival
United Kingdom Anyone who does not appear to be in good health may be required to undergo a medical exam (including an HIV test) prior to being granted or denied entry No*
Uzbekistan Anyone staying more than 15 days (long-term visitors must renew HIV certificate after the first 3 months in Uzbekistan and annually thereafter) Yes*
Yemen Applicants seeking permanent residence including work or study (students over age 16), all foreigners staying longer than 1 month, and foreign spouses of Yemeni nationals (excludes experts, teachers, and foreign missions who are required to work in Yemen) No
* A test performed in the U.S. may be accepted under certain conditions. Check with the destination country’s embassy or representative office in Washington, D.C. for detailed requirements.