TB Test for UK Visa: South Africa Clinics, Cost, and What to Expect

South Africa is on the UK government's list of countries where all long-stay visa applicants must pass a tuberculosis screening before the visa can be issued. This applies to UK Ancestry visa applicants regardless of age, occupation, or health history. If you skip this step or attend an unapproved clinic, your application will be refused. Here is everything you need to know about the TB test for a UK visa from South Africa.

Who Needs a TB Test for a UK Visa?

Any South African national applying for a UK visa of six months or longer must provide a TB clearance certificate from an International Organization for Migration (IOM) approved clinic. This includes:

• UK Ancestry visa applicants
• Skilled Worker visa applicants
• Family visa applicants (spouses, partners, dependent children over 11)
• Any applicant extending or switching to a long-term route from abroad

Children under 11 years old do not require a chest X-ray in most cases. They undergo a clinical health questionnaire and examination instead, unless the examining clinician considers an X-ray necessary based on the child's history.

The test must be completed before you submit your visa application. You include the TB clearance certificate number in your online application form and submit the physical certificate or evidence at your VFS appointment.

IOM-Approved TB Test Clinics in South Africa

The UK government only accepts TB clearance certificates from IOM-approved facilities. As of 2026, there are four approved locations in South Africa:

Hatmed Medical Centre Hatfield, Pretoria Tel: +27 12 362 7180 This is the primary Pretoria option and handles a high volume of UK visa applicants from Gauteng.

Walker Creek Office Park Muckleneuk, Pretoria A second Pretoria clinic listed on the IOM website, offering an alternative appointment slot when Hatmed is fully booked.

Intercare Century City Cape Town intercare.co.za — the Western Cape option for applicants based in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and surrounding areas.

ENT Centre (Glenwood) Durban For applicants in KwaZulu-Natal. Contact details on the IOM website at iom.int.

Do not attend any other clinic, hospital, or radiology centre. Only IOM-approved facilities can issue the certificate in the format UKVI accepts.

What the TB Test Involves

For adults (aged 11 and above), the test is a chest X-ray. The radiographer reviews the image for any signs of active or prior tuberculosis. In the large majority of cases, the X-ray is clear and you receive your certificate on the same day or within a day or two.

If the X-ray is inconclusive or shows a shadow that warrants investigation, you will be required to undergo a sputum test. This involves collecting sputum samples over several days, which are cultured in a laboratory. This process can take up to eight weeks while cultures grow. In practice, this is uncommon for otherwise healthy applicants, but it is worth knowing about if you have ever had respiratory illness or have previously been treated for TB.

The test must be completed within 6 months of the date you intend to travel to the UK. More precisely, the certificate must be valid at the time you enter the UK — so if your VFS appointment and visa processing takes several weeks after you do the test, factor that in.

Cost of the TB Test in South Africa

The IOM charges approximately USD 160 per adult, payable in South African rands at the prevailing exchange rate on the day of your appointment. At current rates (approximately R22 to R23 per USD as of mid-2026), this works out to around R3,500 per adult. Children's examinations cost approximately USD 90 (around R2,000).

Payment is made at the clinic. The IOM sets the exchange rate for the day and it can vary slightly between appointments. Budget a buffer above the advertised figure.

There is no additional government fee for the TB test — the IOM clinic fee is the only cost. However, you will need to factor in travel to the clinic, which for many South Africans outside Gauteng means travelling to Pretoria or Cape Town.

How to Book an Appointment

Appointments at IOM-approved clinics in South Africa are booked directly with each clinic. For Hatmed Pretoria, call +27 12 362 7180. For Intercare Century City, book through their website. IOM's website (iom.int) has the most current contact information and should be your first stop to confirm clinic details before booking.

Appointment slots are generally available within one to two weeks, though this can vary by season and by clinic. If you are in Johannesburg, Pretoria is your nearest option. Durban and Cape Town applicants have a local clinic each.

Timing the TB Test Within Your UK Ancestry Visa Application

The six-month validity window on the TB certificate creates a sequencing constraint. You need to complete the test close enough to your VFS Global appointment that the certificate is still valid when you enter the UK — but not so early that the certificate expires before you have finished gathering the rest of your documents.

The sensible approach for most Ancestry visa applicants from South Africa is to:

1. Start the unabridged birth certificate and SAPS police clearance applications first (both take months).
2. Order the grandparent's birth certificate from the UK General Register Office early.
3. Book the TB test approximately 3 to 4 months before your planned VFS appointment — early enough to account for any X-ray complications, but recent enough that the certificate will still be valid when you arrive in the UK after processing.

The full sequencing of documents — including when to apply for each certificate relative to your VFS appointment — is covered in the South Africa to UK Ancestry Visa Guide.

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