Tuberculosis testing in South Africa
Updated 18 July 2024
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Your test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office and you will need to obtain an medical certificate confirming that you are free from TB. We won’t 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
There are no approved clinics in Lesotho or Swaziland so if you’re from either of these countries you must travel to South Africa to be tested.
Cape Town
Intercare Century City
Intercare Century City Medical Centre,
Building 5 Corner of Century Way and Park Lane
Grand Central Precinct
Century City
Cape Town
Telephone: +27 21 879 0000
Email: uktb.centurycity@intercare.co.za
Website: IOM South Africa
Online booking: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register
The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:
- applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)
- applicants aged 11 years old
- applicants booking for family members; you can only book family members who are 11 years old or over
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm
Closed on national holidays.
Test fees
| 11 years and above | Below 11 years | Certificate reissue (IOM only) |
|---|---|---|
| R3,000 | R1,500 | R100 |
The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee. You can’t pay at the clinic.
Payment details (IOM only)
You must pay your fee using the following banking details before you arrive at the clinic. The booking reference number given must be used on the payment slip.
- Account Name: UN Migration Agency IOM
- Account Type: Public Recipient
- Name of Bank: FNB
- Bank Branch: BROOKLYN
- Account Number: 621 655 327 24
- Branch Code:251 345
- SWIFT Code FIRNZAJJXX
- IOM reference code: Booking reference number (if booked online)
Your reference code: UK Medical Exam
The fee is not refundable if you test positive for TB or decide not travel to the UK, or your visa is refused. For most applicants, this is where the testing process will end and your certificate will then be issued.
Durban
ShipMed Medical Services
ENT Centre
25 Glenwood Drive
Glenwood
Durban
Telephone: +27 31 261 8291
Email: uktb@shipmed.co.za
Website: IOM South Africa
Online booking: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register
The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:
- applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)
- applicants aged 11 years old
- applicants booking for family members; you can only book family members who are 11 years old or over
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm
Closed on national holidays.
Test fees
| 11 years and above | Below 11 years | Certificate reissue (IOM only) |
|---|---|---|
| R3,000 | R1,500 | R100 |
The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee. You are unable to pay at the clinic.
Payment details (IOM only)
You must pay your fee using the following banking details before you arrive at the clinic. The booking reference number given must be used on the payment slip.
- Account Name: UN Migration Agency IOM
- Account Type: Public Recipient
- Name of Bank: FNB
- Bank Branch: BROOKLYN
- Account Number: 621 655 327 24
- Branch Code:251 345
- SWIFT Code FIRNZAJJXX
- IOM reference code: Booking reference number (if booked online)
Your reference code: UK Medical Exam
The fee is not refundable if you test positive for TB or decide not travel to the UK, or your visa is refused. For most applicants, this is where the testing process will end and your certificate will then be issued.
Pretoria
Hatmed Medical Centre
454 Hilda Street
Hatfield
Pretoria
Telephone: +27 12 362 7180
Email: rina@hatmed.co.za
Website: www.hatmed.co.za
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Test fees
| 11 years and above | Below 11 years | |
|---|---|---|
| R3,000 | R1,500 |
The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee. Payment will be taken by card or cash during your appointment.
IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre
Walker Creek Office Park
Building 4
Corner of Florence Ribeiro and Nicholson Street
Muckleneuk
Pretoria
Telephone: +27(0)12 342 2789
Mobile: +27(0)71 607 3631 or +27(0)63 698 8184
Email: uktbsouthafrica@iom.int
Online booking: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register
Website: https://southafrica.iom.int/
Online booking: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register
The following should contact the clinic instead of using this online system:
- applicants with previous registration (those who have done UK TB screening before)
- applicants under 11 years old
- applicants booking for family members; you can only book family members who are 11 years old or over
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 8am to 12:30pm
- Friday, 8am to 11am
Closed on national holidays.
Test fees
| 11 years and above | Below 11 years | Certificate reissue (IOM only) |
|---|---|---|
| R3,000 | R1,500 | R100 |
The cost of the test is in addition to the visa application fee. You are unable to pay at the clinic.
Payment details (IOM only)
You must pay your fee using the following banking details before you arrive at the clinic. The booking reference number given must be used on the payment slip.
- Account Name: UN Migration Agency IOM
- Account Type: Public Recipient
- Name of Bank: FNB
- Bank Branch: BROOKLYN
- Account Number: 621 655 327 24
- Branch Code:251 345
- SWIFT Code FIRNZAJJXX
- IOM reference code: Booking reference number (if booked online)
Your reference code: UK Medical Exam
The fee is not refundable if you test positive for TB or decide not travel to the UK, or your visa is refused. For most applicants, this is where the testing process will end and your certificate will then be issued.
Attending the clinic
You should contact the clinic to book an appointment for a TB screening examination. You should not go to the clinic directly without receiving confirmation of your TB screening appointment through the clinic.
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.
If you need to cancel your appointment, you should contact the clinic and refer to their cancellation policy and procedure.
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.
You might be asked to undergo further testing if the doctor suspects you have active TB. If this is the case, you will be provided with additional counselling and more information during your appointment.
You will need to provide 3 sputum samples over 3 consecutive days. These samples are then tested in a laboratory; it can take up to 8 to 10 weeks to get a result. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of medical exam and not from the date of the sputum report.
Minors
Applicants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can provide consent and make decisions on their behalf.
Pregnancy
Women of child-bearing age may be requested to provide a urine sample to test for pregnancy before undergoing a chest x-ray. If you are pregnant and undergoing a migration health assessment, you may choose to either:
- proceed with the chest x-ray with a double leaded shielding to protect you and your unborn baby
- opt for sputum testing, where you will be requested to provide a sputum sample on 3 consecutive days
- wait until after giving birth to proceed with the migration health assessment
If you choose to proceed with the chest x-ray, you will be requested to sign an additional consent form.
What you should bring with you
You should bring:
- your passport or UNHCR/MHA registration documents
- proof of payment of the test fee (printed)
- your online booking reference number
If your test is at the Hatmed Medical Centre, you should also bring:
- passport
If you’d like an appointment with a female clinician, please ask when you schedule your appointment.
Step-by-step procedure (IOM only)
- 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.