TB Test Certificate for a UK Visa

Some UK visa applicants have to be tested for tuberculosis before they apply, and include the certificate with the application. This guide covers who must be tested, what the test involves, how long the certificate lasts, and the separate rules for children, pregnancy and countries with no approved clinic. Based on GOV.UK guidance retrieved 2026-09-28.

What the TB certificate is

It is not a general health check. For a UK visa you are tested for one condition, tuberculosis, and the test used is a chest x-ray. If your test shows that you do not have TB, the clinic gives you a certificate, and you include that certificate with your UK visa application.

Who must have a TB test

GOV.UK says you need a TB test if all of the following are true — the three conditions run in parallel, so every one of them must apply:

• you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more;
• you have lived in any of the listed countries for 6 months or more;
• you were living there, or in another listed country, within the last 6 months.

What the test involves

You will 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. GOV.UK is explicit that you do not need to have any other tests to check for TB for your visa application.

How long the certificate lasts

If your test shows that you do not have TB, you are given a certificate which is valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray. The clock starts on the x-ray date rather than the date the certificate is handed over, so time the test around the application instead of doing it as early as possible. Include the certificate with your UK visa application.

Who does not need to be tested

You will not need a TB test if any of the following apply:

• you are a diplomat accredited to the UK;
• you are a returning UK resident and have not been away for more than 2 years;
• you are coming on a scheme to support people from Ukraine.

Children

All children must see a clinician, who decides whether they need a chest x-ray, and children under 11 will not normally have a chest x-ray. You must take your child to an approved clinic and complete a health questionnaire; if the clinician decides your child does not have TB, they will give you a certificate to include with the child’s UK visa application.

Pregnant women

You can choose: an x-ray with an extra shield to protect you and your unborn child in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters; a sputum test, which may carry an extra fee and could mean waiting up to 8 weeks for results; or to wait until after delivery.

Approved clinics, and countries without one

You must be tested at a clinic that has been approved by the Home Office, not any local hospital or laboratory that happens to offer a TB test. Some countries do not have approved testing centres, so you need to get tested in a different country. The country list changes with Home Office decisions, so check the current list when you apply rather than relying on a saved copy.

What is not published

Two things are often asked about but are not set on these GOV.UK pages, so they are not asserted here: the fee for the test, which is set by each clinic, and whether the certificate needs an English version or a translation. Confirm both with the clinic and with the guidance for the visa you are applying for.

Related guides

Line up the rest of the application with the UK visa documents checklist and the short-term study visa documents checklist. Prepare the finished set with the document scanner and document photo preflight. For photos, see passport photo validity, the medical exceptions guide and the underlying photo sizes; if something is turned down, read rejected — next steps.

Frequently asked questions

Who needs a TB test for a UK visa?
You need one if all three of these are true: you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, you have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and you were living there or in another listed country within the last 6 months.

What test will I have?
A chest x-ray. If the result of the x-ray is not clear you may also be asked to give a sputum sample; you do not need any other tests to check for TB for your visa application.

How long is the TB certificate valid?
It is valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray, and you include the certificate with your UK visa application.

Does a child under 11 need a chest x-ray?
Not normally. All children must see a clinician who decides if a chest x-ray is needed, and children under 11 will not normally have one; you must take your child to an approved clinic and complete a health questionnaire.

Can I have the test while pregnant?
Yes, and you choose from three options: an x-ray with an extra shield in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, a sputum test that may cost extra and can take up to 8 weeks for results, or waiting until after delivery.

What if my country has no approved clinic?
Some countries do not have approved testing centres, so you need to get tested in a different country. You must be tested at a clinic that has been approved by the Home Office.

Sources: GOV.UK, “Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants” (gov.uk/tb-test-visa) and “Countries and where to find approved clinics” (gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb-test-to-enter-the-uk), retrieved 2026-09-28. Rules change, so confirm the current guidance before you apply.