For foreign travel

For the purposes of emigration to, or employment in, a foreign country, a statement from a GP or other qualified doctor will be satisfactory. It should be stamped with the official laboratory or practice stamp.

Most countries which require an HIV antibody test certificate will accept a statement from the GP or other qualified doctor. The GP or laboratory should prepare a statement saying when the test was carried out and indicating that the person tested was free from HIV antibodies at the time of the test. The statement should be drawn up on headed notepaper, signed and stamped with the official practice or laboratory stamp. The certificate should be dated as close as possible to the date of departure, or a second test might be required on arrival.

A few countries require a special certificate which may have to be obtained from either the Consular Department of the High Commission or Embassy of the country concerned, or the Consular department of the Foreign Office.

Most doctors will charge a fee for this service, as will all clinics, consultants and private clinics or laboratories, including NHS ones.

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Our ethical objections to these practices

There are no justifiable reasons why anyone should be asked to certify their antibody status. Unfortunately the attitudes of immigration authorities in many countries put many people in a very difficult position, whether or not they are aware of their HIV status.

You may well find that some doctors will provide HIV-negative certificates without performing a test to people who wish to work or travel abroad. Whilst this is fraudulent, the chances of being found out are minimal, and this is probably the easiest way of subverting these ludicrous regulations.