All applicants who are planning to stay in the United Kingdom for 6 months or longer, and who are living in or have travelled to a country with 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.

You will also be able to download this document at the end of the appointment-making process.

IOM Lusaka MHAC contact information
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:

  • Counselling to explain the health assessment process (at the end of the counselling you will sign an informed consent form)
  • Registration
  • 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
  • Clearance certificate, a TB clearance certificate will be issued to the applicant within 4 hours if the examination result is considered free of active pulmonary TB disease

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 whom a chest x-ray is not applicable/done.

  • The above TB clearance certificate’s validity is three (3) months for applicants who are at high risk for contracting TB, but the screening outcome shows no active TB. For example, applicants who have been in contact with a family member with active pulmonary TB or applicants with chest x-ray findings suggestive of TB but with normal sputum smear and culture findings.
  • To avoid any inconvenience, IOM will require you to confirm your biodata details during registration. Once the certificate is printed, any reprint will attract a charge of 10USD paid in local currency at the prevailing UN exchange rate.

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. In order 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 be provided with additional counselling 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 seven (7) 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 for 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

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:

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 may be made through cash deposit, bank transfer or mobile money payment before your appointment in Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). Please consult the applicable IOM exchange rate shown in the banner at the top of the page; it can also be found in the “My Appointment” section of the site.

  • Please bring your bank payment confirmation slip, or your mobile payment confirmation message if you paid by mobile money, to your appointment as proof of payment.

    Instructions for mobile money payments (Airtel, MTN)

    AIRTEL
    1. Dial *115*
    2. Select option 1 send money
    3. Select option 4 Banks
    4. Select option 1 transfer to banks
    5. Select n for next
    6. Select option 13 for citi bank
    7. Enter account number “251031002” for the International Organization for Migration
    8. Enter amount
    9. Enter reference number if Applicable (this should reflect the applicant’s UKTB application reference number and full name)

    MTN
    1. Dial *115* (do not use mobile apps)
    2. Select option 1 send money
    3. elect option 6 for banks
    4. Select option 1 to send to bank
    5. Select option 4 for Citibank
    6. Enter account number “251031002” for the International Organization for Migration
    7. Enter amount
    8. Enter reference number (this should reflect the applicant’s UKTB application reference number and full name)

Note: If you are making payments for more than one person, please make individual deposits for each person and use their UKTB reference number and full name as the reference number (point 8 above).

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: https://mymedical.iom.int/apps/omas/#_frmHome (MYMEDICAL) 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.