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).
Sources
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.
Visit the Tajikistan page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
Share
If you want to refer to this page when travelling and may not have internet access, you can use your browser to Save or Print this page - how you do it will depend on the device and browser you are using.
