Uk Tb Certificate

[Ian in Issan]

My wife managed to get her Settlement Visa on Friday and flew back with me to the UK on Sunday.

Those that have been through it know what a hassle it is to get the TB certificate. My wife was cleared by the hospital with a minor abnormal description relating to a small bend in her spine which the doctor explained in the IOM was nothing to worry about yet. They issued our certificate as such.

Upon arrival to the UK immigration she handed over the certficiate, but they asked to see the X-ray! (which the doctor at the IOM had kept, we hadn't even thought of asking for it back). My wife said they were unhappy that she didn't have the X-ray as they wanted proof for themselves as the certificate could be a fake but the let her through anyway.

I find it so hard to believe all we went though to get the certificate and they were still in doubt, but the thing i worry about now is could she always have this problem when entering the uk or do they only request to see the TB certificate upon first entry with a settlement visa? I can't believe everyone with a S/V travels with an x-ray film in their hand luggage!

Please advise if this was a one off or do we need to get a new X-ray film when she visits home later?

Thanks

Ian

P.S. Seperate from the issue we were also really unhappy that sponsers are no longer allowed entry into the visa application centre. Is there any reasonning behind this as it's a lot more unexpected pressure on an already nerve racking experiance.

[sierra01]

May last year the xray wasn't asked for.

[the scouser]

Ian,

The issue with the x-ray would not have been with the Immigration Service, but with the Port Medical Inspector. The only consequence of not having the x-ray is that your wife may be asked to attend the local hospital for a second test.

Did your wife ask them what good an x-ray is when it could relate to someone else?

Scouse.

[Rj 81]

From our experience your wife will receive a letter requesting her to go for a TB check regardless of showing the certificate.

This is exactly what happened to us, it is still on going now. My wife has had 2 Mantoux skin tests and is currently waiting for a 3rd!! Yes, it has been a complete rigmarole. We have several dozen appointments, letters and phone calls. They have you running around like a blue arsed fly.

The first time the local nurse kept changing our appointment times, then came to our house but forgot to bring what she needed, then we got a letter on a Friday that requested my wife to go for the vaccination on the Monday!!! It was way too short notice so I canceled.

Second time they said they could not determine the result of the skin test, (after sending my wife in a Taxi half way accross town to another hospital)

So now she has got another appointment coming up. Hopefully this time it will be sorted once and for all.

I hope you have a better experience than we have had.

[paully]

Upon arrival to the UK immigration she handed over the certficiate, but they asked to see the X-ray! (which the doctor at the IOM had kept, we hadn't even thought of asking for it back). My wife said they were unhappy that she didn't have the X-ray as they wanted proof for themselves as the certificate could be a fake but the let her through anyway.

They should have given you/her the x-ray to take to the UK as you paid for it and an anomaly had been revealed. A bit naughty of the IOM, that. Frankly, I can understand the Port Medical officials' attitude. However, even if you have the x-ray with you, it's not the easiest thing to physically take on board an aircraft to show in the UK. My wife had to have another x-ray done on arrival at Heathrow as the IOM one was stored flat in her luggage which was, of course, on the carrousel downstairs waiting for her.

I shouldn't think she will need another x-ray for future entries into the UK, though, even if she has to attend a hospital, as long as the result is clear.

Edited May 16, 2007 by paully