Yes, asylum seekers can get free HIV tests. HIV testing, diagnosis and treatment are free for everyone in England for the duration of their stay, regardless of immigration status. It does not matter if you:
- Have only recently arrived
- Entered the country legally or illegally
- Had HIV before entering the country
- Have or do not have refugee status
- Have or have not been granted humanitarian protection
- Have or have not been granted other leave to remain
- Have applied for asylum and are waiting for a decision
- Are appealing a Home Office decision
- Have received a deportation (Section 120) notice
- Are in a detention centre (officially called Immigration Removal Centres)
- Are not entitled to other NHS services for free
Use our directory to search for sexual health services near you in London and check out our article on where to get free HIV tests in London, borough-by-borough.
HIV services are free for all to access in the UK, as long as you are ordinarily resident or did not travel to the UK for the explicit purpose of accessing HIV treatment. This is because HIV is considered a priority by the NHS, so even if you would usually be charged for something like a prescription or diagnostic testing for other conditions, you can’t be charged for HIV medication prescriptions or a HIV test. You cannot receive free HIV treatment when you leave the country, as the NHS cannot treat you abroad.
You should not be asked about your immigration status when accessing primary care, including registering with a GP or attending a pharmacy. If you are asked, you do not have to answer or provide any documentation. If you are refused care, you can get support from the Doctors of the World clinic advice line: 0808 1647 686 (freephone) or by emailing [email protected]. See this useful toolkit for further information on accessing healthcare as a migrant in the UK.
If you need further support or advice around immigration and seeking asylum, get in touch with Migrant Help. They have a free asylum helpline at (080) 8801 0503. If you are LGBTQ+, see this list of resources for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers put together by AKT.
