TB Test for a UK Visa: Which Countries Need One

If you are applying for a UK visa after living in certain countries, you must provide a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate. The certificate must be included with your application. This guide explains who needs the test, how to get it, and what to do if there are problems.

Checked 19 August 20268 min readWritten by the Rowan Editorial Team

Section: Costs, English & General
Reading time: 8 min
Last checked: 19 August 2026
Source: The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
Rowan does not: Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.

In short

TB testing is required for applicants coming for 6 months or more who have lived in a country on the Home Office list.
The test must be done at an approved clinic — other clinics are not accepted.
Certificates are valid for 6 months from the date of the X-ray.
Testing positive means you cannot apply until treatment is completed.
The test is a chest X-ray, not a blood test or skin test.

Applicants who have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and were living there within the last 6 months, must provide a TB test certificate when applying to come to the UK for 6 months or more. The test must be done at an approved clinic and the certificate is valid for 6 months. This guide covers which countries are affected, how to book the test, what to expect, and what happens if you test positive.

Who Needs a TB Test

You need a TB test if all of the following are true:

You are coming to the UK for 6 months or more
You have lived in a country on the Home Office TB testing list for 6 months or more
You were living there (or in another listed country) within the last 6 months

If you are coming for less than 6 months, you still need a TB test if you are applying for a Returning Resident visa, or for a family visa as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner. If you are already in the UK and applying for or extending a British National (Overseas) visa, you need a test if you did not provide a certificate when you came to the UK.

The list includes countries across Africa, Asia, parts of South America, and some Eastern European countries. Common countries on the list include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, the Philippines, China, and South Africa.

You can check the full list on the GOV.UK TB test page.

This requirement applies to all visa types including Skilled Worker, spouse visa, Student visa, and others.

How the Test Works

The TB test for UK visa purposes is a chest X-ray. It is not a blood test or Mantoux skin test. The process is:

Book an appointment at an approved clinic in your country
Bring your passport and two passport-sized photos
Have a chest X-ray taken
The results are usually available the same day or within a few days
If clear, you receive a certificate to submit with your visa application

The approved clinics are linked from each country on the GOV.UK country list. GOV.UK says you do not need any other test to check for TB for your visa application.

Timing Your Test

The certificate is valid for 6 months. You need to time the test so that:

You have the certificate before you submit your visa application
The certificate will not expire before your application is processed

A good approach is to get tested 1 to 2 months before you plan to submit your visa application. This gives you time to gather other documents while ensuring the certificate remains valid.

If you are applying for a spouse visa, plan the TB test alongside gathering your document checklist.

If You Test Positive

Testing positive for TB means:

You will not receive a certificate
You cannot apply for your UK visa until you are clear
The clinic may refer you for TB treatment
Treatment typically takes 6 months
After treatment, you can be re-tested and, if clear, issued a certificate

If the X-ray is abnormal but TB is not confirmed, you may need further tests (such as a sputum sample). The clinic will guide you through this process.

Exemptions

You do not need a TB test if:

You have not lived in a country on the Home Office list for 6 months or more
You are coming to the UK for less than 6 months (apart from the Returning Resident and fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner cases above)
You are a diplomat accredited to the UK
You are a returning UK resident and have not been away for more than 2 years
You are coming on a scheme to support people from Ukraine
You have a valid TB certificate from a previous test within the last 6 months

Children are not exempt. All children must see a clinician at an approved clinic, who decides whether a chest X-ray is needed. Children under 11 will not normally have an X-ray; instead you complete a health questionnaire, and if the clinician decides your child does not have TB they issue a certificate to include with the child's application.

Pregnant women can choose an X-ray with an extra shield to protect them and their unborn child (in the second and third trimesters), a sputum test instead (there may be an extra fee, and results can take up to 8 weeks), or to wait until after the birth.

Common Mistakes

Going to a non-approved clinic. Only tests from clinics on the GOV.UK list are accepted.
Letting the certificate expire. If more than 6 months pass between the test and your visa application, you need a new test.
Forgetting to include the certificate. Some applicants forget to upload or submit the certificate with their visa application.
Getting a blood test instead. The UK requires a chest X-ray specifically.

Next Steps

Check whether your country is on the TB testing list. If it is, find your nearest approved clinic, book your appointment, and get tested well before your planned visa application date. Keep the certificate safe and include it with your application.

Related guides:

Questions and answers

Do I need a TB test for a UK visa?

You need a TB test if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, you have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and you were living there (or in another listed country) within the last 6 months. The Home Office maintains the list of these countries on GOV.UK. If all three apply, you must get tested at an approved clinic before applying. The test is also needed for a Returning Resident visa, or a family visa as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, even if you are coming for less than 6 months.

How long is a TB test certificate valid for?

A TB test certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of your chest X-ray. You must use the certificate within this period by submitting your visa application. If the certificate expires before you apply, you will need a new test.

What happens if I test positive for TB?

If you test positive, you will not receive a certificate and cannot apply for your UK visa until you have been treated. Treatment typically takes 6 months. Once you have completed treatment and are clear, you can be re-tested and issued a certificate.

How much does a TB test cost?

The cost varies by country and clinic. TB tests for UK visa purposes typically cost between 50 and 150 US dollars or equivalent. The test must be conducted at an approved clinic listed on the GOV.UK website — tests from non-approved clinics are not accepted.

This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.

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