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When applying for a UK visa from South Africa, you’ll be required to provide a Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate issued by a UK Home Office approved clinic that shows you are TB free. If you are not sure about how to go about doing a tuberculosis test for UK visa in South Africa, then you should read this article because I have answered most of the frequently asked questions related to the subject. By the time you are done reading this article, you would have learnt where the approved TB test centres for UK visa in South Africa are, how to apply and book an online appointment, how much it costs, the documents you need for the test, amongst other things.
Let’s get into it.
TB test centres for UK visa in South Africa
There are only four (4) clinics in South Africa approved by the UK’s government for conducting and issuing TB certificate for UK visa application. They are in Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban. Sadly, if there is no UK approved TB test centre in the city you live, you’ll have to travel to one of these cities for your test. If you do your TB test in any other clinic, the result/ certificate you get from there will not be recognized during your visa application.
Tuberculosis test centre for UK Visa, Pretoria
There are two (2) TB test centres for UK visa in Pretoria. They are Hatmed Medical centre and IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre. See their address, operating hours and contact details below.
Hatmed Medical centre
| Address | Contact details | Operating hours |
| 454 Hilda Street, Hatfield
Pretoria. |
Telephone: +27 12 362 7180Email address: rina@hatmed.co.zaWebsite: www.hatmed.co.za |
Mondays- Fridays
8am – 4pm |
IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre
| Address | Contact details | Operating hours |
| Walker Creek Office Park, Building 4; Corner of Florence Ribeiro and Nicholson Street Muckleneuk.
Pretoria.
|
Telephone: +27 12 342 2789Email address: uktbsouthafrica@iom.int |
Mondays-Thursdays: 8:00 am – 4.30 pmFridays: 8:00 am -12:30 pm(except on IOM and National holidays) |
TB Test Centre for UK visa, Cape Town
Intercare Century City
| Address | Contact details | Operating hours |
| Intercare Century City Medical Centre,
Building 5 Corner of Century Way and Park Lane, Cape Town. |
Telephone:
+27 21 879 0000
Email: iom.centurycity@intercare.co.za
|
Mondays – Fridays
8am – 3pm (except on IOM and National holidays) |
Tuberculosis test centre for UK visa, Durban
ShipMed Medical Services
| Address | Contact details | Operating hours |
| ENT centre,
25 Glenwood Drive, Glenwood. Durban |
Telephone: +27 31 261 8291Email: uktb@shipmed.co.zaops@shipmed.co.za |
Mondays – Fridays: 8am – 4:30pm(except on IOM and National holidays) |
What is the fee for UK TB test?
The fee for TB test depends on your age.
| Age | Price (R) |
| 0 – <11 | 1,250 |
| 11 and above | 2,500 |
For certificate reissuance, the fee is R100.
How to Apply for Tuberculosis test for UK visa in South Africa
- Contact the clinic to schedule an appointment or book online.
*The procedure for UK TB test online appointment booking are as follows:
- Tap on this link: https://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register/login.jsp
When you tap on the link above, you will be asked to register or log in- if you already have an account with IOM.
- After registering, available slots for the test will be displayed and you’ll be able to reserve a date and time for your TB test that works for you.
- Pay into the approved bank account
To secure your reservation, you’ll be required to pay the test fees into the IOM’s approved bank account (see that table below for account details). When making payment, please use the booking reference number generated when you were booking online.
| Bank name | FNB |
| Account name | International Organisation for Migration |
| Brach | Brooklyn Branch |
| Account number | 62165532724 |
| Branch code | 251345 |
| Swift code | FIRNZAJJXX |
* Please note the following:
- The steps discussed above apply to IOM Migration Health Assessment centre, Intercare and ShipMed Medical services. It does not apply to Hatmed Medical centre. If you want to do your test with Hatmed, please contact the clinic.
- If you are under 11 years old, or you are booking for family members or you have done the UK TB test screening before, please contact the clinic and do not try to schedule an appointment online.
- When you contact the clinic, clearly inform them that the test is for your UK visa application.
What documents are required for TB test UK?
You are required to come with the following documents to the clinic on the day of your appointment:
- Passport (or UNHCR/MHA registration document)
- Proof of payment
- Online booking reference number
- Passport photo (if you’ll be using Hatmed Medical centre)
- If applicable, medical records with chest x-rays (particularly if you have been diagnosed and treated for TB before)
Other questions people ask
Is Tuberculosis test compulsory for UK visa?
If you are applying for a visa that lets you stay in the UK for up to 6 months from South Africa, then yes, you have to do the TB test. However, some people are exempt from this rule. You can check if you are exempt here.
How long does it take to get TB test results for UK visa?
If you do a chest x-ray, you will get your TB test result the same day (usually within 6 hours) if your result is conclusive.
But if your result is inconclusive, you may be asked to do a sputum smears/ culture test. It will take 6-8 weeks to get the result if you do a sputum test.
How is TB test done in South Africa?
The procedure for doing TB test for UK visa depends on the applicant’s age, pregnancy status and current health status. It usually involves filling a health questionnaire, doing sputum test or chest x-ray.
Tap here to read the full scope of the procedure.
Read also: Can I apply for UK Visa with expired TB test certificate?
Conclusion
In case you are feeling anxious about how the test is carried out, you don’t have to worry. It is not stressful. I suggest scheduling an appointment for your test as early as possible- say 10 weeks before you want to apply for your visa. This is because getting a date can sometimes be competitive- especially during peak visa application season.
Also, when you want to book your appointment, please remember to mention that you need to do the test for your UK visa application, so you are issued the right certificate when the test result comes out.
Izilokotho ezinhle!
