Pre-entry TB testing in the Philippines will start on 28 February 2013

13 February 2013

From 28 February 2013, tuberculosis testing requirements will form part of the visa application process for people planning to come to the UK for more than 6 months.

This follows the UK government's announcement in May 2012, to introduce tuberculosis testing as a requirement of the visa application process for certain countries. The Philippines is one of the 67 countries, who according to the World Health Organisation have a high incidence of tuberculosis.

If you submit an online visa application form and pay the visa application fee online before 28 February 2013, you will not need to take a tuberculosis test. All online applications submitted and paid for on or after 28 February 2013 will be subject to tuberculosis testing requirements, if you plan to go to the UK for 6 months or longer.

For detailed information about the testing process and requirements, see the TB testing page.

You do not need a tuberculosis test if you plan on travelling to the UK for less than 6 months, for example on business or for tourism.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/february/30-tb-philippines

Thank you so much for this. Actually, my husband and I were talking about this couple of nights ago, whether or not I should need this when I apply for a spousal visa on or after February 2014. This answered our questions.

Follow this important link for detailed information -

Tuberculosis testing in the Philippines

Take particlar notice of the specific approved clinic:-

Let's hope they approve more clinics soon

Its just a money spinner for the approved medical centre.Philippinesisabig place and I know docs can be bought for not much money but to just accredit 1 centre in Manila which is hundreds of miles from where my wife stays is shocking.Surely there mustbe decent place in Cebu that could have been accredited.there is a british consule there.

Its just put more time money and effort into an already difficult process for the ordinary person

Actually for a chest xray it costs very little so to slap a 2500 pesos charge for it of course someone is making good money from this

Actually the way the pound is going its likely to be 4000 pesos soon.Sorry for the ranting and raving but it seems the powers that be always find a way to punish the real honest immigrants and the family who support them

This looks like a rip off.

There are plenty of good medical centres in the Philippines, with competent, incorruptible, medical staff and good equipment.

I hope a suitable fuss can be made over this.

Outrageous to only have the one approved provider for the whole of the Philippines.

It's the same situation for Filipinos who want to emigrate to the US: the only approved clinic for the TB tests and immigration medical is St Lukes in Manila.

Thanks Markham.

I'm very well aware, having been somewhat involved, that seafarers's medicals have been "cleaned up" over the past few years - it used to be the case that a Filipino seaman with an expensive disorder such as kidney disease would be passed fit and then go sich once he was on board and could claim under the POEA seaman's contract. But we never considered appointing only one clinic. Rather, we appointed several and audited them regularly.

I truly agree!


hils:

Again, my husband and I agree!!! Why make it so hard and expensive for honest immigrants? For those people who are just in the working class, once they have their foreign spouses brought to the UK, there will be little left for them to start their new lives together as husband and wife 'coz most of their savings were spent on gathering the required documents (you can't get them for free, you know, you have to pay the offices/agencies to have the paper work needed), processing fees, medical expenses, plane tickets, etc., etc.

I just hope UKBA won't be that harsh to us. Couples from mixed marriages (between UK citizen and foreigner) might end up not being together at all after marriage due to these strict rules. And even if the spouse will be brought to the UK, he/she might end up deported if after the next evaluation, the couple won't be able to meet the almost-impossible financial requirements. Please be humane and value family ties. My humble post might just mean nothing and ignored by the UKBA, but if all of us who share the same sentiment voice out our view, then we might make a difference.



hils:

Agree entirely.

I sent an e-mail to the address listed on the UKBA website requesting details of any other International Organisation for Migration Health Centre's within the Philippines authorised by UKBA

I received this reply from Manila Health Center for UK Applicants (mhc.uk@iom.int):-

Thought it helpful to share.

Didn't they open a Visa Application Centre in Cebu not so long ago? Sorta makes that redundant somewhat if you have to go to MNL for the TB screening