TB Test for UK Visa in Kenya

A tb test for uk visa in kenya is a mandatory requirement for applicants who intend to stay in the United Kingdom for more than six months. Applicants must complete this screening at a UK Home Office-approved clinic, which in Kenya is the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nairobi.

A valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate from an approved centre is a non-negotiable requirement. The UK Home Office will not accept certificates from any other hospital or laboratory in Kenya, which results in an automatic visa refusal.

TB Test Requirements for UK Visa Routes

The requirement for a tuberculosis screening is determined by the length of your intended stay in the UK. If you are applying from Kenya for a visa that allows you to be in the UK for more than six months, you must provide a valid TB test certificate.

Visa categories that typically require a TB test certificate include:

• Student visas
• Skilled Worker visas, including the Health and Care Worker route
• Spouse, partner, or family visas
• Other long-term work or settlement routes

Applicants for a visa for a short-term stay of six months or less are generally not required to take a TB test. This exception most commonly applies to those applying for a Standard Visitor visa.

Approved TB Test Centres in Kenya

A TB certificate is valid for a UK visa application only when issued by a clinic approved by the UK Home Office. In Kenya, the approved facility is the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Migration Health Assessment Centre in Nairobi.

The Home Office lists all approved clinics on the GOV.UK website. Applicants must consult this official source for the most current information before booking an appointment and should not use unofficial lists, which may be outdated.

The Function of Approved Clinics

The UK Home Office designates specific clinics to ensure that TB screenings meet a consistent and verifiable standard for public health and immigration control. This policy is not a reflection on the quality of other medical facilities in Kenya.

Submitting a certificate from an unapproved clinic causes the visa application to be refused. Applicants who are refused on this basis do not receive a refund for the visa fee or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). A new application, with all new fees, is the only way to proceed after obtaining a certificate from an approved clinic.

Booking a TB Test Appointment

Applicants book their TB test appointment directly with the IOM clinic in Nairobi through its official channels. The screening process involves a chest X-ray. The clinic will provide payment instructions during the booking process.

If the chest X-ray results are not clear, the clinic may request a sputum sample for further testing. Processing a sputum sample can take several weeks, and applicants must account for this potential delay in their visa application timeline.

Documents Required for the TB Test

Applicants must bring specific identification documents to their appointment. Missing documents may cause delays or require the appointment to be rescheduled. The required documents are:

• Your original, valid passport
• A photocopy of your passport's biographical data page
• One recent, passport-sized photograph that meets UKVI specifications
• The contact details of your GP or local clinic in Kenya
• Medical records of any previous TB treatment, including old chest X-rays

Certificate Validity and Application Timing

A TB certificate is valid for six months from the date of the chest X-ray. Applicants must submit their online visa application and attend a biometrics appointment before the certificate expires. An expired TB certificate will invalidate the application.

The application process requires a specific sequence. First, an applicant must undergo the TB test and receive the certificate. After receiving a valid certificate, the applicant can complete the online visa application and book a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global centre in Nairobi or Mombasa. This timing ensures the certificate is valid on the date of submission.

Using the TB Certificate in Your Application

The TB test certificate is a mandatory supporting document. Applicants must upload a clear digital copy of the certificate during the online application and answer 'Yes' to the question asking if they have a valid certificate.

Applicants must also bring the original TB test certificate to their biometrics appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre, operated by VFS Global. Staff at the centre check the document against the details in the online application. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) cross-references the certificate's unique number as part of its verification process.

TB Test Fees in Kenya for 2026

The fee for the tuberculosis test is separate from the UKVI visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). You pay the test fee directly to the IOM clinic.

The cost is subject to change. Applicants must confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods directly with the IOM clinic when booking their appointment.

Assistance with Your UK Visa Application

A procedural error with a mandatory document like the TB certificate can lead to a costly visa refusal. UK Visa Assist provides professional support to ensure an application is prepared correctly and all evidence meets UKVI standards.

Our services include document review and full application assistance for first-time applicants and for those who have been refused before. A consultation allows for a complete review of your case before you pay the non-refundable Home Office fees.