Updated 10 November 2026
Almost every Kenyan applying for a UK visa of more than six months needs a UK visa TB test certificate from an approved clinic. In Kenya there is one: IOM Kenya in Gigiri, Nairobi. This guide explains who needs the test, what it costs, how to book and pay, what happens on the day, and how long the certificate lasts. It draws on the UK government’s official clinic page for Kenya.
Source: GOV.UK Tuberculosis testing in Kenya and the Kenya TB clinics page (both updated 29 April 2026), and GOV.UK’s TB test guidance, read on 8 November 2026. Confirm fees and hours with the clinic before you go.
On this page
UK visa TB test in Kenya: key facts
| Item | Detail (GOV.UK) |
|---|---|
| Clinic | IOM Kenya, 78 UN Crescent, Gigiri, Nairobi |
| Fee | USD 107 (11 and above); USD 62 (below 11) |
| Payment | Before the exam, in USD, at CBA Bank Gigiri branch only or via M-Pesa Paybill at the clinic |
| Book | At least 10 weeks before travel |
| Bring | Original valid passport (or UNHCR/MHA documents for refugees) |
| Certificate | Issued the same day if clear; valid 6 months |
| Refunds | None if positive, refused, or you do not travel |
Who needs a UK visa TB test
You need a TB test if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more and both of these apply:
- you have lived in Kenya, Eritrea, Somalia or South Sudan for 6 months or more;
- you were living there, or in another listed country, within the last 6 months.
GOV.UK also requires a test for fiancé(e) and proposed civil partner family visas, and for returning residents who have been away for more than 2 years. In practice this includes most Kenyan applicants for student, Skilled Worker and family visas. Visitors staying under 6 months do not need one.
No certificate is needed by diplomatic passport holders on official business or a posting, people who qualify for an exempt visa, or applicants for a certificate of entitlement.
The approved clinic
GOV.UK lists one approved clinic for Kenya: IOM Kenya, 78 UN Crescent, Gigiri, Nairobi. Telephone +254 709 890 000, email iomnbomhac@iom.int, website kenya.iom.int. It opens Monday to Thursday from 8am to 4:30pm and on Friday from 8am to 2pm, and closes on national holidays. Medical examinations run Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 4pm and on Friday from 8am to 12:30pm. Only a certificate from an approved clinic is accepted.
UK visa TB test fees and payment
The fee is USD 107 for applicants aged 11 and above and USD 62 for those below 11. This is on top of the visa fee. You pay before the examination, in US dollars, either at CBA Bank (Gigiri branch only) or through the M-Pesa Paybill at the clinic. The fee is not refunded if you test positive, decide not to travel, or are refused a visa.
Booking
Register on IOM’s online appointment system, call the clinic or email to book, and say that the test is for a UK visa. GOV.UK advises booking at least 10 weeks before you travel, which leaves time for further testing if the first result is unclear.
What happens at the exam
- Every applicant attends in person with the required documents.
- You attend a counselling session and sign a consent form.
- Children aged 10 and under are examined by a physician. Applicants aged 11 and above have a chest X-ray, which a doctor then reviews.
- If the X-ray is abnormal, sputum smears and cultures may be needed. Final results can take up to 8 weeks. If you do not come back within 7 days for sputum collection, you will not get a certificate.
- If you are clear of active pulmonary TB, the certificate is issued the same day.
Women may be asked to take a pregnancy test if pregnancy is uncertain. Pregnant applicants can skip the X-ray and instead give sputum on 3 consecutive mornings, or delay screening until after the birth. If a result is abnormal but not related to TB, you will be tested further or referred to your own healthcare provider.
How long the certificate is valid
The certificate expires 6 months after the chest X-ray date, or 6 months after the physical examination if no X-ray was needed. If you have been in contact with a family member with active pulmonary TB, it is valid for only 3 months. Submit your visa application while the certificate is still valid.
Planning tips
- Do the test after you are sure of your plans but well before your intended travel date, so the 6-month validity covers the application.
- Each family member pays their own fee, including children.
- Carry your original passport. Photocopies are not enough.
- Budget for the visa fee and health surcharge separately. See our Skilled Worker and student visa guides.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I do the UK visa TB test in Kenya?
Only at IOM Kenya in Gigiri, Nairobi, the clinic listed by GOV.UK.
How much is the UK visa TB test in Kenya?
USD 107 for ages 11 and over, and USD 62 for under-11s, paid in dollars before the exam.
Do I need a TB test for a UK visit visa?
Not if you are staying for less than 6 months.
How long is the TB certificate valid?
6 months from the X-ray or exam date, or 3 months if you have been in contact with a family member with active pulmonary TB.
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