TB Test for UK Visa: What India, Pakistan, and Nigeria Applicants Need to Know

The TB test requirement is not optional and it is not something you can satisfy with a general medical examination. If you live in one of the countries on the Home Office's TB-testing list, you must submit a valid certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic before UKVI will process your visa application. Missing or incorrectly obtained TB certificates are a routine but entirely avoidable cause of Skilled Worker application delays.

Which Countries Require a TB Test

The Home Office publishes an official list of countries whose residents must complete TB testing. The list is subject to change, so verify current requirements at gov.uk/tb-test-visa before booking an appointment.

As of 2026, residents of the following countries relevant to the Skilled Worker market are required to complete testing:

• India — mandatory for residents, not for Indian passport holders outside India
• Pakistan — mandatory for residents
• Nigeria — mandatory for residents
• Bangladesh — mandatory for residents
• Philippines — mandatory for residents
• South Africa — mandatory for residents
• Ghana — mandatory for residents

The requirement is based on where you are currently living, not your nationality. An Indian passport holder who has been resident in the UK or another non-listed country for the relevant period does not need to test. A British passport holder who has been living in India does.

What the Test Involves

The test is a chest X-ray, not a skin test or blood test. At an approved clinic, a radiographer takes a chest X-ray, which a qualified physician then reads specifically for signs of active pulmonary tuberculosis. The whole process typically takes one to two hours at the clinic.

If the X-ray is clear, you are issued a certificate that confirms you have been tested and do not have active TB. This certificate is what you submit with your visa application.

If the X-ray shows signs that require further investigation, the clinic will inform you of next steps, which may involve further testing. You cannot self-certify or bypass this process.

Approved Clinics by Country

India. TB testing must be done at an IOM (International Organization for Migration) clinic or another Home Office-approved facility. The primary approved clinics are operated by a network across major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Check the gov.uk TB test page for the current approved facility list in India, as the panel changes periodically. Appointments typically require prior booking and have fees in the range of ₹2,500–₹3,500.

Pakistan. Approved clinics include AMC Lahore and AMC Islamabad, among others. The full current list is published on gov.uk. Fees vary by facility. Book early — appointments at popular clinics book up weeks in advance, particularly in Karachi and Lahore.

Nigeria. Testing must be conducted at an approved IOM clinic in Lagos, Abuja, or Kano. In early 2026, the Home Office updated its approved panel for Nigeria, so verify the current list at gov.uk before booking. The Lagos clinic at the IOM offices is the most frequently used. Fees are approximately ₦30,000–₦50,000 depending on the facility.

What the Certificate Must Show

The TB certificate must come directly from the approved clinic, on official clinic letterhead or in the prescribed UKVI format. It must include:

• Your full name as it appears on your passport
• Your date of birth
• Your nationality
• The date of the examination
• The clinic's name, address, and official stamp
• A clear statement that active pulmonary TB was not detected
• The signature of the certifying physician
• The certificate's unique reference number (where applicable)

Certificates from non-approved clinics, general hospital radiology departments, or private practitioners not on the Home Office panel are rejected regardless of their content. Do not substitute a standard chest X-ray report.

Validity Period

A TB test certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue. You must submit your visa application before the certificate expires. If your visa application is delayed — for example, because your sponsor has not yet issued the CoS, or because you are waiting on other documents — time the TB test accordingly. Getting tested too early creates the risk of the certificate expiring before you apply.

Can You Test Outside Your Home Country

The requirement applies to residents of listed countries. If you have already relocated to a non-listed country but are applying for a Skilled Worker visa, check whether you are still considered a resident of a listed country for UKVI purposes. The general principle is that you need to test in the country where you are currently residing and have been for the relevant period.

If you are a resident of India, Pakistan, or Nigeria but temporarily in the UK on a visit visa or pending a decision, you may need to travel back to complete the test at an approved clinic in your home country.

Integrating the TB Test Into Your Application Timeline

Given that the certificate is only valid for six months and that clinic appointments in high-demand cities can take several weeks to secure, the TB test should be scheduled as part of your initial application planning, not as an afterthought. The recommended sequence:

1. Confirm your employer has a valid Sponsor Licence and is preparing your CoS
2. Book your TB test appointment at an approved clinic
3. Complete the test and obtain the certificate
4. Begin accumulating your 28-day bank statement evidence period if required
5. Receive and verify your CoS reference number
6. Submit the visa application before the TB certificate expires

For a comprehensive pre-submission document checklist covering the CoS, English language evidence, financial maintenance, and health clearances — including the TB certificate requirements — the UK Skilled Worker Visa Guide provides a structured timeline and per-document validation framework.