Guidance

Tuberculosis testing in Moldova

Updated 5 October 2023

Your test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office. We will not accept a TB test certificate from a clinic we have not approved.

Approved clinic

International Organization for Migration mission to Moldova

36/1 Ciuflea str
Chisinau
Republic of Moldova

Telephone: (+373) 68156100

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.med.iom.md

Operating hours:

• Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm
• Friday, 9am to 3pm
• Closed on national and UN recognised international holidays

Attending the clinic

You should contact the 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 would like an appointment with a female clinician, please ask the clinic when you schedule your appointment.

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

What you should bring with you

• proof of identification, which contains your photograph – preferably your passport
• 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

Test fees

11 years and above	Below 11 years
75 USD	35 USD

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

The test fee does not cover treatment if you have TB. The fee is non-refundable if you test positive for TB or if you decide not to travel to the UK.

All children will need to initially have a certificate which will be issued after a questionnaire and physical exam. If there is any indication of TB, a chest X-ray will be conducted along with other follow up tests.

Payment

You will pay at the IOM designated bank, in Moldovan Leu only.

Step-by-step procedures

• all visa applicants must attend the clinic for assessment with the required identification documents

• the initial examination will include a counselling session and signing a consent form

• applicants below 11 years will go through a medical examination by the physician before a certificate is issued

• applicants 11 years 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 will take up to 8 to 10 weeks to get the final results

• a TB clearance certificate will be issued to the applicant 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 do not 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.