HIV immigration

[James JPN]

Found this on the MOM site.  I guess this is the final word.

Medical examination for successful applications of EP, long-term IP and PR

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Until recently, only applicants for work permit or for renewal of work permits were required to undergo a medical examination, which includes a general physical medical examination, a chest x-ray and a test for the AIDS-causing Human Immuno- deficiency Virus (HIV).

To further strengthen the control of communicable diseases like HIV infection and Tuberculosis in Singapore, the medical examination requirement has, with effect from 1 March 2000, been extended to foreigners who have applied and obtained in-principle approval for the following type of passes:

• Employment Passes of six months' duration or more.
•Long-term immigration passes (i.e. Professional Visit Passes, Dependant's Passes, Student's Passes and Long-Term Social Visit Passes of six months' duration or more).
•Permanent Residence (PR).

Those who are found to have active Tuberculosis or HIV infection will not be granted the passes.

How will Employment Pass applicants be informed of the new health requirement?

From 1 March 2000, all applicants will be informed and given a copy of the medical examination form when they receive their in-principle approval letter. They can then visit any registered general practitioner in Singapore with the form for the medical examination.

Once the medical report has been completed, the applicant should personally submit the original medical report, together with the in-principle approval letter and relevant travel documents, to the Employment Pass Department (EPD). The pass will not be issued if the applicant fails the medical examination. He will have to leave Singapore before the social visit pass expires. No appeals or extension of the social visit pass will be granted. •

[jim44]

"No appeals or extension of the social visit pass will be granted".

.... some immigration officials at SIR are clearly slack on this rule too as I have a friend who was twice given an extension of social pass while appealing against an EP refusal.

[well...]

let us be thankful that they are slack! otherwise life would be a whole lot more difficult for us (technically i should have paid huge fines for the number of times i have overstayed visas in Singapore, but they have been nice/slack enough to let it pass).

I had to go through the HIV/TB scan when i got my employment pass as well - when i enquired of SIR, i was told that the individual would be alerted of the specific reason for the pass being rejected, while the company would only be told it was for "medical reasons" - that being vague enough i guess.

If you're really worried about finding out you have HIV from your SIR medical, do what i did - go get the test done privately beforehand. Not that i thought id have HIV, it just gave me some peace of mind.

my 2.03 c

[pete]

The system, isnt very transparent, for example New Zealand and Australia give you the forms on the web and you know what is required.

In many ways the medical is nothing and its jsut and excuse to get you HIV & TB tested.

Whatever the inadequacies if you have any doubt about any medical status i suggest you have a test outside Singapore annonymously. for hiv got Bangkok or Sydney.

That being said there s an excellent AIDS helpline which offers anon testing, they are apparently very helpful and supportive and professional. Im not sure if they are in a telephone book but they exist.

[Karen]

Once your employment application has been approved you have to submit medical papers indicating your test results for HIV & TB before your green card will be handed over - - just had mine done two months ago.