All applicants (including children and infants) who are planning to stay in the United Kingdom for 6 months or longer, and who are living in or have traveled to a country with a high TB burden within the last six months, are required to undergo a migration health assessment to screen for tuberculosis (TB) as part of their visa application process for the United Kingdom. In this document, you will find important information related to your upcoming migration health assessment at IOM’s Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC) in Lusaka, Zambia. The following will NOT be required to obtain a certificate: diplomatic passport holders traveling on official business or a posting to the UK, those who qualify for an exempt visa, those applying for a certificate of entitlement, and returning residents

You can also download this document at the end of the appointment-making process.

IOM Lusaka MHAC contact information
  • Address: Plot No. 4626, Mwaimwena Road, Rhodespark, Lusaka 
  • Landline Number: +260 211 254055
  • Phone Number: +26 0779000675
  • Opening Hours: Mondays – Thursdays 08:30 hrs– 17hrs Fridays 08:30hrs  – 14hrs  
  • Certificate collection; Monday to Thursday; 08:30-17hrs
  • Certificate collection: Friday 08:30-14hrs
  • Closed on National / UN holidays
  • Email address: mhulusaka@iom.int   
What should I expect at my appointment?

The scope of the migration health assessment varies depending on factors such on your visa category, age, gender and current health status. The list below shows some of the procedures that you or your family (if they are applying to migrate with you to the United Kingdom) might receive:

  • Registration
  • Counseling to explain the health assessment process (at the end of the counseling you will sign an informed consent form)
  • Medical examination, which may include the following:
    • A review of your medical history and current symptoms
    • A physical examination, where clinically indicated.
    • A chest X-ray
  • A clearance certificate is to be issued within 48 hours if all tests are normal.

The TB clearance certificate expires six (6) months from the chest x-ray date for applicants who have had a chest x-ray done, or six (6) months from the physical examination date for applicants for whom a chest x-ray is not applicable/done.

  • The above TB clearance certificate’s validity is three (3) months for applicants who have been in contact with a family member with active pulmonary TB.
  • To avoid any inconvenience, IOM will require you to confirm your certificate details before the certificate is printed. Once the certificate is printed, any reprint will attract a charge of 10% of the initial fee to cover administrative costs.

Breakdown of migration health assessment procedures, by age of applicant:

Below the Age of 11 Years* 11 Years and Above
- Medical history and current symptoms- Physical examination, if clinically indicated - Medical history and current symptoms- Physical examination, if clinically indicated- Chest X-ray

All basic requirements are done on the same day, during the same appointment.

*Children under the age of 11 years may be requested to undergo chest X-ray, if clinically indicated

Important notes

Minors:

Applicants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can provide consent and make decisions on their behalf.

Pregnancy:

Women of childbearing age may be requested to provide a urine sample to test for pregnancy before undergoing a chest X-ray. If you are pregnant and undergoing a migration health assessment, you may choose to:

  • Proceed with the chest X-ray with a double leaded shielding to protect you and your unborn baby; or
  • Opt for sputum testing, where you will be requested to provide a sputum sample on 3 consecutive days; or
  • Wait to proceed with the migration health assessment until after giving birth.

If you choose to proceed with the chest X-ray, you will be requested to sign an additional consent form.

Tuberculosis:

TB is a contagious bacterial infection that is spread from person to person through tiny droplets in the air. TB can be either:

  • Latent TB: when you have the bacteria in your body, but you don’t have any clinical manifestations. To diagnose latent TB, active TB should be ruled out.
  • Active TB: when you have the bacteria and have clinical, radiological or laboratory manifestations.

You might be asked to undergo further testing if the doctor suspects you have active TB. In such an event, you will receive additional counseling and more information during your appointment.

You will be requested to provide three (3) sputum samples over 3 consecutive days. These samples are then tested in a laboratory; it can take up to 8 to 10 weeks to obtain a result.

  • If you fail to complete sputum submission within fourteen (14) days for sputum collection, you will forfeit the chance to obtain a TB clearance certificate and only Qualify for TB screening after six (6) months.
  • Sputum submission shall be done at an IOM designated Laboratory. You are therefore advised to contact IOM prior to submission.

If you are required to complete this test, your health assessment certificate will be put on hold until the results are received. If you are found to have TB, you will need to successfully complete treatment before resuming the immigration process.

Good news! TB is treatable and most people can be cured at home with a few months of oral antibiotics.

You might have to spend approximately three hours on this process.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

Identification documents:

  • Passport (original)
  • National Photo ID card
  • UNHCR/MHA registration documents if you are a refugee applicant.
  • Photo ID of the accompanying parent/guardian
  • Two recent passport-size photos: standard size with white background (not older than 6 months at the time of examination).

Medical records:

  • Any medical reports with previous chest X-rays, if available. This is especially important if you were diagnosed with and treated for tuberculosis at any point in life.

Other:

  • Permanent and current address in the country of origin
  • Full address in the United Kingdom, complete with phone number and postal code
  • Passport-size photographs with white background
  • Hard copy of the proof of payment.

Advice for the migration health assessment

  • For your physical examination, you may be asked to remove your clothes and will be provided with a medical gown, but please keep your underwear on (see image at right).
  • You may request a chaperone to be present at your physical examination.
  • Please do not conceal any medical conditions; deliberate attempts to hide them will be reported to the UK immigration authorities.
  • Please do not conceal your pregnancy; being pregnant will have no impact on your immigration prospects. Please postpone or re-schedule your appointment if you or your child are ill with a fever or rash, and seek medical attention with your usual provider.
  • There is no need to fast before your appointment.

Migration health assessment fees and payment information

Fees, by age of applicant:

Payment to be made in Zambian Kwacha

Converted to Zambian Kwacha every month at the prevailing United Nations rate 

Below the Age of 11 Years 11 Years and Above
USD 120 USD 140
   

Certificate reprints cost USD 10

How to pay for the migration health assessment:
  • Payments should be made through bank transfer before your appointment in XXX to the account below. Please bring your bank payment confirmation slip to your appointment.
  • PAYMENT OPTIONS
    • 1. Bank transfers(ensure to put your name and UKTB reference number as reference )
    • 2. Cash deposit at Citibank Lusaka branch (ensure to put your name and UKTB reference number as reference )
    • 3. Mobile money payment (see instructions below)
      • Airtel, MTN,
      • Dial *115* (Do not use mobile Apps)
      • Step 1: Select option 1 send money
      • Step 2: Select option 6 for banks
      • Step 3: Select option 1 send to bank
      • Step 4: Select option 4 citibank
      • Step 5: Enter account number 251031002 international organization for migration account number)
      • Step 6: Enter amount
      • Step 7: Enter reference number (your UKTB application reference number and name)

NB: Before you approve ensure that you are sending to the international organization for migration account number (251031002)

NB: Once your payment is complete you will receive a message indicating a successful transaction into the international organization for migration account (251031002)save the message and present it as proof of payment during your registration.

NB: If you are making payments for more than one person, make individual deposits for each person and use UKTB reference number and name as reference.

Bank details for the IOM MHAC in Zambia:

Name of Bank: CITIBANK ZAMBIA LIMITED
Account Name: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION
Bank Address: CHIKWA ROAD, LUSAKA ZAMBIA
Account Number: 251031002
SWIFT Code/BIC: CITIZMLU

To arrange for your medical examination, book an appointment through the following link: http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register/ if you experience any difficulty send an e-mail to mhulusaka@iom.int explaining your challenge. Book an appointment at least ten (10) weeks prior to your travel to allow processing in case you may require further testing after the initial examination which may include but not limited to sputum testing and further consultation that takes up to eight (8) weeks.