Hepatitis B and Immigration/visa issues

Hi @Surbhitiwari,

Congratulations on your visa. I’m glad for you and your husband. Good luck on your future.

-Paul

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Indeed, great to hear, @Surbhitiwari. Congratulations!

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Hi there,

I got tested positive for Hep B few days ago and here in Australia for Holiday only.Am scared as someone from the health department contacted me for surveillance purposes with so many questions.What will happen to those information.Will it affect my visitor’s visa at all.Am scared if they would alert border security and my visa terminated.Please kindly advise.

Thank you

Hi @ndj,

Thanks for sharing your story. That sounds so stressful! I am not sure that a holiday visa would be affected by a diagnosis with Hepatitis B, as you would not be working. From the Australian immigration website (Threats to public health):

Evidence of HIV or hepatitis

We generally don’t consider HIV or hepatitis to be a threat to public health.

But if you have HIV or hepatitis and you apply for a temporary visa, we might consider your condition to be a threat to public health if you intend to work as (or study to become) a doctor, nurse, dentist or paramedic in Australia.

Perhaps others might be able to share some comment on how the information from the questions are used (@MarkDouglas or @jennifer.maclachlan)

Cheers,
Thomas

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Hi @ThomasTu and @ndj,

Thanks for sharing your story @ndj.
I agree with Thomas that this should not have any impact on your tourist visa, as hepatitis B status isn’t a condition if you aren’t intending to stay long-term.

I’m not sure where you were tested, but in Victoria and some other regions, the health department follows up all new cases of hepatitis B to gather information, including whether the person is receiving appropriate information and follow up care.
In VIC it’s triggered automatically via the lab test result, and occurs for everyone who tests positive for hepatitis B, even if you are only traveling to Australia for a holiday. The information is only for the use of the health department for analysis, and isn’t related to the immigration department.
This may have been the reason for the call you received.

I am sorry that this experience caused you stress though, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here!

All the best,
Jennifer

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Hello everyone,
I got my visa to Australia after being diagnosed with hepatitis B during my medicals. I thought it would be nice to share it here and give hope to someone. I am going to study masters in nursing
The process was scary especially after diagnosis,but thanks to this group, i got alot of information here.
After diagnosis, i was requested to do LFTs and viral load. LFTs were normal and VL was 162.
I was then asked to sign a health undertaking, and soon after I got the visa grant.
I pray that we all get to achieve our dreams, and may hepatitis B never be the reason we get denied of opportunities.

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Thank you so much for your expertise in the matter @jennifer.maclachlan. I’m sure this will help allay some stress.

Fantastic news @Happysang! I wish you all the best in your studies and thank you for bringing hope to others with your update!

Thomas

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Hello I am in the same boat. About to apply for provisional PR visa but scared of my hbv status. I m following you.

Hi Lovely,
I’m still waiting for the visa outcome, however, i got S56 message demanding for another police clearance certificate but no request for health certificate.
I will update you once the visa is out.

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Hi Evans

Thanks for your mail. I am too worried about my hbv status . I m diabetic too. But fortunately my hbsag is negative. Buy my core antibody is positive and LFT high.

Looks like your medical went through if you are just waiting fig the visa.

Are you applying for 190?

Thanks

Hello sir, please can someone with hapetitis b virus load of 124ul
And copy of 734 get US visa

Dear @Yanik_Adjei,

I’m not sure about the US immigration policy. Perhaps @chari.cohen or @Suwang88 could provide educated input here, or know someone who could.

Cheers,
Thomas

The US doesn’t screen out people with hepatitis B during immigration process or for visas thankfully

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That is correct, thanks, Su! You will not be asked about your hepatitis B status for a visa to the U.S. And the U.S. has legal protections for people with hepatitis B, which is good news! For more, you can go here: Know Your Rights » Hepatitis B Foundation.

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Hi everyone :wave:t5:
My name is Lindah I’m a Nigerian and I’m also an hepatitisB carrier I want to travel to another country to further my studies… please I want anyone to give me suggestions on which country I can go with my status.,.

Dear @Lindah,

Hepatitis B should not prevent you from getting a study visa for the EU, US, and Australia, as per the other replies in this thread. It’s best to read the specific entry and visa requirements for other countries that you are interested in studying in.

Thomas

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Australia is a good place you… I had thesame problems but i am so happy i have been able to get my visa. I hope this helps…

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Hi Lovely, i am so happy as i have received my visa. I hope you will get yours soon…

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Well thank you very much Evans
I really appreciate
I’m so happy for you :blush::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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Thank you very much Thomas
I really appreciate your reply :smiling_face_with_three_hearts::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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