India - Regulations on Entry, Stay and Residence for PLHIV


Restriction categories relative to India

  • Countries with restrictions for long term stays (>90 days)
  • Countries with unclear laws/practices; more information needed
  • Countries deporting people with HIV

 
Entry regulations Residence regulations Additional information
There are no restrictions for short term stays. Restrictions may still be in place for stays exceeding 6 months. Previous restrictions repealed in 2002.

HIV-specific entry and residence regulations for India

Our information is contradictory:

There are no restrictions for HIV-positive visitors in place. No questions related to a potential HIV-infection is asked when applying for a visa, residency or work permit.
 
(Source: 1) 

"Foreigners, including students, do not have to undergo mandatory HIV testing in India. The former regulations were repealed on September 29, 2002, by the Health and Family Welfare Minister Shatrughan Sinha.

The Health and Family Welfare Minister Shatrughan Sinha is quoted as having said: "Experts were of the opinion that mandatory HIV testing of foreigners/foreign students is contrary to recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO)."  

(Source: 2)

There are no disclosure requirements or restrictions for HIV/AIDS patients who enter India on a tourist visa. Disclosure regarding HIV/AIDS is required of anyone seeking a resident permit in India. Foreign residents found to be suffering from HIV/AIDS will be deported. Please verify this information with the Embassy of India before you travel.

(Source: 3)

Restrictions may still be in place for stays exceeding 6 months; international students are being mandatorily tested for HIV and will be denied admission if found HIV-positive.

(Source: 4)

 

HIV treatment information for India

Treatment is available.

 

HIV information / HIV NGOs in India

You can get updated information through the aidsmap search engine at www.aidsmap.com/en/orgs/ux/default.asp.

 

Global Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Scan

The Global Criminalisation Scan is an initiative of GNP+. It aims to collect and keep up to date information on national and state level laws criminalising the transmission of or exposure to HIV. It also aims to provide an easily accessible ‘clearing-house’ of resources, research, and initiatives on the subject and to provide a platform for advocacy initiatives.

Find out more about the scan and the criminalisation of HIV transmission legislation at http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/.

 

Key HIV resources for India

  1. Embassy of Germany, New Delhi, January 21, 2008.
    Information confirmed to the authors by Vijay K. Trivedi, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Geneva, June 24, 2008
  2. Newindpress, December 5 2002,  www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp
  3. U.S. Department of State, http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html consulted July 11 2010
  4. UNAIDS, Geneva, May 5, 2010

 

updated: 7/29/2010
Corrections and additions welcome. Please use the contact us form.

 

Comments on HIV-restrictions in India

 
 
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Posted: 24 January 2010
By:  Mateusz K, Poland
Comment:
It seems that India still recquires that a student who wish study in India takes a HIV test before getting a VISA: link to Indian Embassy in Warsaw http://www.indianembassy.pl/education.html#2
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