You’ll need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test if:

• you’re coming to the UK for six months or more
• you’ve lived in any of the listed countries for six months or more
• you were living there (or another listed country) within the last six months

Note that the requirement is based on residence and not your nationality.

The list of countries affected, along with country-specific guidance in relation to the process and testing of dependants (including children), can be found on the Home Office website.

The medical certificate confirming that you are free from TB must be submitted with your application and the Home Office recommends that this be carried in your hand luggage when you come to the UK to present to the immigration officer on arrival if requested.

If you are required to undergo TB screening, it is recommended that you do this as early as possible. While the test results should be made available quite quickly, an additional test will be required if the results are inconclusive. Where TB is detected, a medical certificate will not be issued until after treatment has been received (which can take up to six months).