Guidance

Tuberculosis testing in Botswana

Updated 22 August 2024

Your test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office and you will need to obtain a 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 don’t need to take the test if you are:

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

Gaborone

Dr John Pridgeon

Unit 11
Setlhoa Retail Park
Block 10
Gaborone

Telephone: +267 3937479

Mobile:

• +267 78499925
• +267 76406207

Email:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Website: https://uktbbotswana.co.bw/beta

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5pm

Test fees

11 years and above	Below 11 years
140 USD	60 USD

Payment

Payment must be made at Bank Gaborone or online by bank transfer before the medical examination in Botswana Pula (BWP). The cost must be converted at the current exchange rate for BWP.

Name of bank: Bank Gaborone
Account holder: Dr John Pridgeon (Pty) Ltd
Reference number: applicant's first and last name
Account number: 8001227220
Airport junction branch, branch code: 201867
SWIFT code: BGLIBWGX

What you should bring with you

• valid identification which contains your photograph such as a passport, national ID card or Refugee Asylum Seeker Card
• the TB test fee or printed proof of payment
• 2 recent passport size photos

You can find directions to the clinic on the website.

Independence Surgery

Plot 258
Molefi Close
Ext 5
Gaborone
Botswana

Telephone:

• +267 395 3425
• +267 7606 0109
• +267 7515 9842

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://independence-surgery.business.site/

Operating hours:

• Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
• Saturday, 8am to 1pm

Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment.

Test fees

11 years and above	Below 11 years
2,500 BWP	1,500 BWP

You might be asked to pay an additional fee if further tests are needed.

What you should bring with you

• valid identification which contains your photograph, such as a passport, national ID card or Refugee Asylum Seeker Card
• the TB test fee

IOM Gaborone

1st Floor, Marula building
Prime Plaza
Plot 74358
New CBD
Gaborone
Botswana

Telephone: +267 71 453 748

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://ropretoria.iom.int

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

Operating hours:

• Monday to Friday
• morning: 8am to 10:30am - registration and confirmation of payments
• afternoon: 4pm to 5pm - physical examinations

Closed on national holidays.

Test fees

11 years and above	Below 11 years
2,025 BWP	870 BWP

Payment

Payment must be made before the medical examination in Botswana Pula (BWP).

Payment method: cash payment at First National Bank or EFT
Name of bank: First National Bank (FNB) Botswana
Account holder: international organization for migration
Ref number: applicant's full name (first and last name)
Account number: 6249 3403 994
Branch code: 281 467
Reference: First Name and Last Name

What you should bring with you

• valid identification which contains your photograph, such as a passport, national ID card or Refugee Asylum Seeker Card
• UNHCR/MHA registration documents if you are a refugee applicant
• 2 recent passport size photos
• the TB test fee
• 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

Premium Medical Centre

Plot 719 Extension 2
Gaborone
Botswana

Telephone:

• +267 311 9685
• +267 741 03150

Email: [email protected]

Operating hours:

• Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
• Saturday, 8am to 2pm

Test fees

11 years and above	Below 11 years
1,800 BWP	800 BWP

What you should bring with you

• valid identification which contains your photograph, such as a passport, national ID card or Refugee Asylum Seeker Card
• the TB test fee
• 2 recent passport size photos

Attending the clinic

To arrange your medical examination, please contact the one of the above clinics to book an appointment at least 10 weeks before you need to travel to allow processing in case you require further testing after the initial examination, which may include, but is not limited to, sputum testing and further consultation that takes up to 8 weeks.

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.

Test fees

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

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

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.