HIV immigration

[markcanada]

Anyone have any experience as an asymptomatic, hiv+ expat?  Any help, information would be appreciated.

[Bongoman]

All I know is if you are wanting to work here you require an HIV test. If you're positive you will not get work. Also if you are currently working here and sign a contract extension you will have to go for another test.
Harsh but understandable.

[CivilRights?]

True you will have to have an AIDS test to get a visa renewal - but it's not necessarily required in order to be granted ones' initial visa; this is thinly disguised as a "medical", but is simply a TB & HIV screening exercise of course.

I don't agree that having this test is "understandable" however, as even for a US green card medical I don't believe I had to have it.
Singapore is particularly poor in the way they deal with people issues (service, human resources, etc.) and having the HR department at work know the results of ones' AIDS test before one is informed is very poor protocol & probably in contravention of civil rights in US/ UK/ rest of the world. Not to mention the psychological implications of hearing a positive result through the HR admin - gossip-monger extraordinare department.

[zak]

agree -- the examination is supposed to be three phase; a general medical (in my exerience the doctor took my blood pressure then ticked the OK box for heart, lungs, abdominal and neurological - i never knew you could tell so much from 120/70!!); second the HIV test and third the TB X-Ray.  From the EP point of view there only seem to be two outcomes: pass or fail.  So why can't the doctor simply release a statement declaring you fit or unfit to get the EP without specific details? or have you collect the results in person from the doctor's clinic.  Releasing these results verbatim to HR doesn't seem appropriate.

[Renewed]

I just renewed my EP and didn't have to have a medical at all. All I had to do was sign a form stating that I was not suffering from either HIV nor TB. Wondered at the time why I didn't have to go and be tested - does it depend on the country you come from and the countries that you have travelled to recently?

[BongoMan]

Up until recently Singapore was expelling foreign spouses, married to Singaporeans, if they were found to be HIV+. Now, that does not apply which I think is absolutely right because it resulted in the break-up of familys.
However, I think they have every right to check prospective foreign workers for diseases, not just HIV. After all its their country and they can allow whoever they want into it. Why should they risk a potential epidemic just for the sake of being seen to be "fair". After all most travellers from sub-saharan Africa need a certificate saying they are free from Yellow fever so why not HIV.

[vancouver, canada]

I just received an employment pass in principle, and have been informed that I do not have to take any HIV and TB tests. I just have to sign a declaration. Is the Singapore government changing its regulations ?

[strange]

I got my EP and did not have to do the test, yet my wife for her dependant pass application had to undergo the complete scenario. We are both the same nationality...

[True?]

There are two very different outcomes here.  Which is it?  Do you have to take the test or not?  My HR department said I have to go and take a medical.  I am from the US.  

Please let me know which it is.  Signing a declaration is a lot different from taking the test.

Thanks.

[Immigration question]

So WHICH is it?  Do you have to take the TB/HIV test or do you just have to sign saying you don't have them for a first time EP?

Thanks in advance.

[abc]

according to immigration i spoke to you are definately supposed to take the medical/TB/HIV tests before a full first time EP will be granted ... unless they are being slack with some people for some unknown reason .... they are clearly a little bit slack as they request original copies of the HIV and TB test results ... however, i managed to get them to accept photocopies whereas my collegue applying at the same time was denied his EP until the originals were produced

[vancouver, canada]

I recently received my EP in principle from the Ministry of Manpower... and it says I only have to submit the TB/HIV declaration form that was included. I don't know why I don't have to take the test, other than I am Canadian. No idea.

[T2K]

From time to time I see posts regarding health inspections and AIDS tests being required to get an EP.  

This must be applied randomly or through some other system as I never heard a thing about this and certainly didn't do either one prior to or after arrival.  I came here at the end of '98 and I'm American.  Also, I'm renewing my EP now and still no mention of such things.

[abc]

T2K,
it's only been introduced this year so that's why you didn't need had to have it done in '98.  not sure if you have to have it done for an EP renewal or only for a new first time application - i suspect the latter gien the posts to this thread

[alanh70]

Immigration laws are changing in the very near future and some immigration officials have been trying and testing the procedures. Could be that the EP and the DP were handled by two different officials. Hence the wife having to go through the full monty.