THE United Kingdom (UK) has added a compulsory tuberculosis (TB) test for Zimbabweans and other African nationals applying for a visa to stay for more than six months.

The requirement came into force on December 31 and applicants have to be tested only at UK Border Agency approved clinics at a fee of $113.

The testing fee is separate from the visa application. TB is a leading cause of illness and death for people living with HIV.

Among African nations, Zimbabwe is one of those most heavily affected by TB as it is still ranked 17 out of the world's 22 high-burden TB countries.

According to the UK Border Agency website, all children over 11 years old must be tested for tuberculosis. No reasons were given.

"From 31 December 2012, if you are resident in Zimbabwe and would like to apply for a visa to come to the UK for more than six months you must be tested at an approved clinic and be free from tuberculosis before you apply for a visa. You will be required to submit a TB certificate with your visa application.

"Applicants who submit a visa application form and pay the visa application fee before 31 December 2012 will not need to take a tuberculosis test. Applications submitted and paid for on, or after this date will be subject to tuberculosis testing requirements," reads part of the statement.

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

Applicants in Zimbabwe were required to undergo a 30-60 minutes test for the whole process after making bookings with International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The statement said applicants with inconclusive test results "may be required to take a sputum test (phlegm coughed up from your lungs) and the results from this test can take up to two months to process".




Those found not to have tuberculosis would be given a certificate, which they should submit with visa application. The certificate is reportedly valid for six months.

Prior to November 2002, Zimbabweans were free to travel to the UK without a visa and this provided a route to political asylum.

Zimbabweans TB
Source: NewsDay, UK Border Agency

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