Tuberculosis testing for UK visa applicants in Nigeria (DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW)

Who needs to be tested?

If you are resident in Nigeria and would like to apply for a visa to travel to the UK for more than 6 months from 31 December 2013 you must be tested at an approved clinic and be free from tuberculosis before you apply for a visa.

If you are not resident in Nigeria  but have elected to apply for a visa from Nigeria, you will also need to be tested if you wish to travel to the UK for more than 6 months.


If you are traveling to the UK for less than 6 months you do not need to be tested for tuberculosis.  This includes people applying for 2, 5 and 10 year visitor visas, because the maximum stay in the UK at any one time is still 6 months.  

Those applying for a 6 month fiancé(e) visa must be tested, as applicants in this category must demonstrate their intention to remain in the UK for longer than 6 months.

Testing children

All children over 11 years old must be tested for tuberculosis.

If you are a parent or guardian of children under 11 years old you must bring your children to an approved clinic and complete a health questionnaire for them. The clinician will then decide, based on your answers, whether your child needs to be tested for tuberculosis.

If the clinician decides not to test your child they will give you a certificate to say your child was not tested - the cost of the certificate is 52 US Dollars (or its equivalent in Naira).  This certificate must be submitted with your child's UK visa application.

All children under 16 years who are attending a clinic, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring the items listed in the 'Attending the clinic' section below.

Approved test clinics

You must be tested at one of the IOM clinics below which have been approved by the Home Office. Tuberculosis test certificate from any other clinic in Nigeria will not be accepted.
 
Lagos
Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC)
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
No 5D, Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Off Oba Akinjobi Way 
G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos.
Tel: +234(0) 807 219 1112/ 0802 226 4059/ 0909215 6079
Email: iomlagosmedicalbooking@iom.int


Working Hours for Lagos Office:
Monday to Thursday:  07:30 am to 04:30 pm.
Friday:  07:30 am to 11:00 Noon 

Registration & Medical Screening: 
Monday to Thursday:  7.30 am to 12 Noon 
Friday:  7.30 am to 9.00 am 

Collection of Certificate: 
Monday to Thursday:  11.00 am to 2.00 pm
 
 
Abuja
Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC)
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
No. 4, Buchannan Close, off Buchannan Crescent, off Amino Kano Crescent
Wuse 11, Abuja
Tel: +234(0) 807 219 1122 / +234 (0) 80 9563 7898 / +234 (0) 80 8522 1427
Email: iomabujamedicalbooking@iom.int 



Working Hours for Abuja Office:
Monday to Thursday:  08:00 am to 05:30 pm.
Friday:  08:00 am to 12:00 Noon 

Registration & Medical Screening: 
Monday to Thursday:  8.30 am to 12:30 pm
Friday:  8.30 am to 10.00 am 

Collection of Certificate: 
Monday to Thursday:  10.00 am to 3.00 pm

Attending the clinic

You should contact the above approved clinic to book an appointment. You should make it clear that you need the test for a UK visa application. You can expect to get an appointment within a few days of your request.  At busy times you may have to wait 10 days for an appointment, especially during the UK student visa peak season between June and September.

What you should bring with you

• proof of identification, which contains your photograph, preferably your passport;
• tuberculosis test fee; and
• if you have had tuberculosis in the past or have any other lung disease you should provide details of your previous screening and, if possible, your medical notes and x-ray results.

If you would like an appointment with a female clinician, please inform the clinic when you schedule your appointment.

If you need to cancel your appointment you should contact the clinic and refer to their cancellation policy and procedure.

What does the test involve?

You will be given a chest x-ray. You may need to remove your clothes from your top half for the x-ray. You will be given a gown to protect your modesty.

How long does the test take?

You should allow up to 24 hours for the whole process, which includes administration, taking the x-ray, analysis of the test results and receiving your TB certificate.

If the x-ray is inconclusive, you may be asked to give a sputum sample (phlegm coughed up from your lungs). There will be no additional fee for a sputum test and results can take up to 2 months to process.

Test fees

The fee for tuberculosis screening is 130 US Dollars (or its equivalent in Naira).

The fee will be payable in local currency at the prevailing exchange rate advised by the IOM. You will pay the IOM directly for the cost of your tuberculosis test.  The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee. (click here for HOW TO PAY IOM TUBERCULOSIS TEST FEE)

The test fee does not cover treatment if you have tuberculosis.

Getting your results

If you have the standard test your results and certificate should be available within 24 hours if the chest x-ray is normal and no TB investigation is required.  If the test results are inconclusive you may be required to take a sputum test (phlegm coughed up from your lungs). The results from this test can take up to 2 months to process. If you do not have tuberculosis you will be given a certificate, which you should submit with your visa application.  The certificate is usually valid for 6 months.

You will not be issued with a certificate if you have been diagnosed with tuberculosis. The clinician will give you advice about treatment and provide you with a treatment referral letter. Treatment can take up to 6 months to complete. You will not be able to apply for a UK visa until you can show you have had treatment for tuberculosis and you are free from the disease.

In relation to your visa application, the clinician will be specifically looking for evidence of tuberculosis.  You will be informed if any other abnormalities have shown up on the x-ray. You will be advised to contact your doctor for further tests.

Who does not need to be tested?

• Applicants in the following categories are exempt from the tuberculosis test requirement:
  diplomats accredited to the UK;
• returning residents (unless they have been absent from the UK for more than 2 years);
• Certificate of entitlement holders (right of abode in the UK); and
• children under 11 years old (unless deemed necessary by a clinician).

Pregnant women

If you are pregnant you have the option of having one of the following tests:
an x-ray with an extra protective shield that will protect both you and your unborn child, or
a sputum test (phlegm coughed up from your lungs). There may be an additional fee for a sputum test and results can take up to 8 weeks to process.

Alternatively you may wish to delay the test until you have had your baby.  

Test certificate and validity

Your test certificate will be returned to you, along with your other documents, when a decision have been made on your visa application. If you are issued a visa you should bring your test certificate (or a photocopy) with you in your hand luggage when you travel to the UK and be prepared to show it to the immigration officer on arrival.

Your tuberculosis test certificate will be valid for 6 months. You may be given a certificate that is valid for 3 months if you have shared a closed environment or household for a prolonged period with someone with tuberculosis.

Test certificates from other countries 

Tuberculosis test certificates used for visa applications for other countries such as Australia cannot be used for your UK visa application, even if it was conducted at the same clinic. You must to be screened specifically for UK Visas and Immigration visa requirements.
 

Your visa application

You will need to submit your test certificate with your visa application and supporting documents. You cannot send your test certificate to us after you have submitted your application. Information on the visa application process and the required documents can be found on this website.