With this New Year, Nepalis who wish to obtain UK visas of more than six months will have to go through a tuberculosis test.

The pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening will be effective from January 2, 2013, said the British Embassy in Kathmandu today.

This follows the UK government’s announcement in May 2012 that it would be extending this requirement to an additional 67 countries on the basis of World Health Organisation figures for high TB incidence.

All applicants for settlement, work visa (under Tiers 1, 2 and 5 of the points-based system) or student visa of longer than six months (including under Tier 4) should undergo the test to show that they are free of the contagious disease, the Embassy mentioned in a statement.

The UK Border Agency will only accept TB screening certificates from two clinics in Nepal operated by the International Organisation for Migration—one located in Damak, Jhapa, and the other in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.

However, the ones applying for—business, family or tourism visas — for six months or less — are not required to undergo the test, according to the statement.

source: The Himalayan Times,18 Dec 2012