On November 2, the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC), published a Final Rule in the Federal Register, titled Medical Examination of Aliens - Removal of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection from Definition of Communicable Disease of Public Health Significance (HIV Final Rule).
This Final Rule amends Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 34, and will remove HIV infection from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance and remove references to HIV from the scope of medical examinations for foreign citizens seeking to travel to the United States. Review the CDC website guidance and Federal Register Final Rule which will go into effect January 4.
Therefore, starting January 4, 2010, HIV infection will no longer be an ineligibility when foreign citizens apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Additionally, HIV testing will no longer be required for medical examinations for visa purposes. Further, applicants who are HIV-positive will no longer require waiver processing by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Review the HIV Questions & Answers to learn more.
