Tajikistan

Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV

The categories of restriction are:

  • Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.

The types of restriction are:

  • HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
  • HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.

Restrictions on entry to Tajikistan

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Tajikistan based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Tajikistan does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

Restrictions on short-term stay in Tajikistan

Sources are mixed on whether Tajikistan imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Tajikistan does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.

However, according to the Report for the Universal Period Review on Tajikistan, an HIV test is required for employment, even when, for example, opening a small business or retail outlet.

Restrictions on long-term stay in Tajikistan

We are aware of some official restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV in Tajikistan.

According to UNAIDS, Tajikistan does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.

However, according to the US Department of State, people applying to be in Tajikistan for more than 90 days, you must present a medical certificate with your application confirming that you are HIV-free.

According to the Republic of Tajikistan visa instruction guideline, among the documents required for visa extensions is a ‘medical certificate for HIV/AIDS issued by medical facilities’.

Restrictions also exist on civil procedures such as marriage. According to the Report for the Universal Period Review on Tajikistan, a health examination including HIV testing is required for marriage licences.

Historic regulations in Tajikistan

According to this UNAIDS press release, in March 2014, amendments to the Law on HIV/AIDS lifting all restrictions on entry, stay and residence for people living with HIV in Tajikistan were signed by the President of Tajikistan, Emomalii Rahmon, on 14 March 2014.

Treatment access in Tajikistan

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Tajikistan. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.

IOM reports that migrants have the same rights as nationals in accessing State health services, with the exception of certain medical procedures which are more costly for migrants and stateless persons. This is the case even though it is not explicitly stated in existing legislations, including the Constitution (1994), the Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Republic of Tajikistan (2018), the Healthcare Code (2017) and the Law on Migration (1999).

The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database

People living with HIV are criminalised in Tajikistan. There are HIV-specific criminal laws in force which target alleged HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, and/or transmission. We are aware of reported prosecutions under these or other laws.

UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data

This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.

Migrant populations

Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens Yes
Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) Yes
Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens Yes
Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) Yes
Migrants are able to access HIV services Yes

Refugees and asylum seekers

Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens Yes
Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) Yes
Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens Yes
Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) Yes

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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.