WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Expatriates applying for new residence visa must be free of infectious diseases
According to UAE Ministerial Decree No 28 of 2008 and Federal Law No 7 of 2010 regarding prevention of communicable diseases, all expatriates applying for a new residence visa must be free of infectious diseases. However, certain infectious diseases merit deportation while, in some others, treatment is indicated. The list is as follows:
Tuberculosis: This test is mandatory only for new residence visas and not visa renewal. Any scars of active or inactive pulmonary TB found in the lungs merits either deportation, or treatment as per WHO protocols and then deportation
HIV/Aids: Visa application is rejected and the patient is immediately deported
Hepatitis B: This test is now meant for certain categories of new visas such as barbers, beauticians, nannies, nurses and food handlers. If found positive there are categories under which an individual can be treated and allowed to stay, treated and then deported or deported straight away. This is done on a case-by-case basis Leprosy: Individual is deported Syphilis: Treatment provided. No deportation
What is tuberculosis?
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease is caused by the myo bacterium tuberculosis that usually attacks the lungs. It is spread through the air from one person to another. If not treated properly, it can be fatal.
What are TB scars?
Scarring of the lung tissue simply means that the tissue has been converted to hard, fibrous tissue. Scarring of the lung is also called pulmonary fibrosis. Things such as smoking can cause scarring of the lung tissue, but tuberculosis is one of the more common causes of pulmonary fibrosis.