Guidance

Tuberculosis testing in Namibia

Updated 9 August 2024

Your test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office and you will need to obtain an IOM medical certificate confirming that you are free from TB. We will not accept a TB test certificate from a clinic we have not approved.

You do not need a certificate if you:

• are a diplomatic passport holder travelling on official business or on a posting to the UK
• qualify for an exempt visa
• are applying for a certificate of entitlement

Approved clinic

IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC)

Unit 6, second floor
Demushuwa Suites
Ombika Street (opposite Lady Pohamba Private Hospital)
Windhoek
Namibia

Telephone: +264 61 231 639

Mobile: +264 81 258 2227

Email: UKTBNAMIBIA@iom.int

Online booking: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register

Website: https://ropretoria.iom.int/

Operating hours: Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 12pm

Closed on national holidays.

Test fees

11 years and above	Below 11 years
NAD 3,000	NAD 2,000

The fee is not refundable if you test positive for TB or decide not travel to the UK, or your visa is refused.

Payment

The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee.

Payment must be made before the medical examination in Namibian dollars (NAD), through bank transfer with the below banking details:

Bank name: First national Bank Corporate Branch
Account name: International Organization for Migration
Account number: 6224 576 4015
Branch code: 281872
Reference: Passport number

SWIFT code (international transfer): FIRNNAN

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

Attending the clinic

You should contact the above approved clinic to book an appointment and 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.

If you need to cancel your appointment, you should contact the clinic as soon as possible.

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

You’ll be given a chest x-ray to test for TB. If the result of the x-ray is not clear, you may also be asked to give a sputum sample (phlegm coughed up from your lungs).

If your test shows that you do not have TB, you’ll be given a certificate which is valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray. Include this certificate with your UK visa application.

What you should bring with you

• proof of identification, which contains your photograph – preferably your passport
• UNHCR/MHA registration documents if you are a refugee applicant
• 3 recent passport photos (not older than 6 months) with ears and hairline visible
• physical address in UK and contact details
• if you have had TB 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

Step-by-step procedures

• the medical examination will be processed on Tuesdays (chest x-ray) and on Wednesdays (physical exam)
• all visa applicants must attend the clinic for the assessment with all the required documents
• the initial examination will include a counselling session and signing a consent form
• applicants aged 10 and under will go through a medical examination by the physician before a certificate is issued
• applicants aged 11 and above will have a chest x-ray done; applicants will then be reviewed by the doctor with the chest x-ray result before a certificate is issued
• additional sputum smears and cultures medical procedures may apply in case of abnormal chest x-ray findings and could take up to 8 weeks to get the final results
• a TB clearance certificate will be issued to the applicant on the day of the examination if the examination result is considered free of active pulmonary TB disease
• if you do not return within 7 days for sputum collection, you will not get a TB clearance certificate
• you will be given further testing or told to contact your own health care provider if the examination results are abnormal but the abnormality is not related to TB disease
• the TB clearance certificate expires 6 months from the chest x-ray date if you had a chest x-ray done, or 6 months from the physical examination date if you don’t need a chest x-ray
• the TB clearance certificate is valid for 3 months if you have been in contact with a family member with active pulmonary TB
• female applicants may be requested to undergo a pregnancy test, in case there is uncertainty as to whether they may be pregnant
• pregnant applicants can decide not to get a chest x-ray examination and instead either give sputum for a TB test on 3 consecutive mornings or delay the TB screening until after giving birth

Read more information on TB screening requirements for people applying for a UK visa in countries where TB is common.