UAE Cabinet decision clarifies rules on tuberculosis deportation

ABU DHABI // Expatriates with tuberculosis will no longer be compulsorily deported under revisions to a policy that will also allow residents to sponsor their spouses and children with old and cured TB.

Residents will now be tested for TB every time they renew their visa under a new ministerial health decree approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Previously, this was done only once, when people applied for a UAE visa for the first time.

While the policy is unchanged for people with active or old TB who are applying for a UAE visa for the first time, residents with active TB will be issued a one-year visa with a medical certificate that mentions visa renewal subject to treatment.

The patient will have to make three visits to health centres for free follow-up treatment until cured. They could be declared medically unfit and be forced to leave the country if they do not follow this course.

In TB cases where bacteria are resistant to treatment, patients will be treated within the UAE until they recover, after which they will be deemed medically fit and their residency will be renewed.

Expatriate students enrolled with UAE universities and members of diplomatic corps and leading investors also belong to the exempt categories and will be allowed to apply for a new visa even if they have scars from cured TB.

The policy was passed last week and has come into effect.