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General health certificate format for a visa

Visa health certificates follow the rules of the country you are applying to. The authority usually names the tests, the clinic and how long the result stays valid. For example, the UK TB test page says applicants from listed countries test at an approved clinic. If no TB is found, you receive a certificate.

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Notes
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Sample general health for a visa certificate format, watermarked SAMPLE. NOT A VALID MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, with 7 numbered fields explained in the notes and in the field table.

Field notes7 fields

1 Patient identity

What it means: Usually a name and sometimes a date of birth.

Why it is there: This links the certificate to one person.

2 Examination date

What it means: When the tests or examination took place.

Why it is there: Validity usually runs from a stated date. The UK TB test certificate, for example, is valid for 6 months from the date of your chest x ray.

3 Tests named

What it means: The tests the authority asked for.

Why it is there: Visa health certificates follow the rules of the country you are applying to. The authority usually names the tests.

4 Health statement

What it means: The clinician's statement about your health, as the consulate or authority requested it.

Why it is there: It is the part the consulate or authority reads.

5 Validity

What it means: How long the result stays valid.

Why it is there: The authority usually says how long the result stays valid.

6 Date of issue

What it means: When the certificate was produced.

Why it is there: The assessment date, issue date and period covered should form a logical order.

7 Issuer details

What it means: On a real certificate, the issuing clinic and the name, profession and practice address of the person who issued it, plus a signature or an equivalent digital authorisation.

Why it is there: The authority usually names the clinic. The UK TB test page, for example, says applicants from listed countries test at an approved clinic.

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What does each field mean?

General health certificate format for a visa: field glossary
FieldWhat it meansWhy it is there
1 Patient identityUsually a name and sometimes a date of birth.This links the certificate to one person.
2 Examination dateWhen the tests or examination took place.Validity usually runs from a stated date. The UK TB test certificate, for example, is valid for 6 months from the date of your chest x ray.
3 Tests namedThe tests the authority asked for.Visa health certificates follow the rules of the country you are applying to. The authority usually names the tests.
4 Health statementThe clinician's statement about your health, as the consulate or authority requested it.It is the part the consulate or authority reads.
5 ValidityHow long the result stays valid.The authority usually says how long the result stays valid.
6 Date of issueWhen the certificate was produced.The assessment date, issue date and period covered should form a logical order.
7 Issuer detailsOn a real certificate, the issuing clinic and the name, profession and practice address of the person who issued it, plus a signature or an equivalent digital authorisation.The authority usually names the clinic. The UK TB test page, for example, says applicants from listed countries test at an approved clinic.

Format version 1. Last checked .

Check what your destination asks for first.

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What else should you know about this format?

It is valid for 6 months from the date of your chest x ray, and you include it with your visa application.

At a global level, the WHO says the International Health Regulations (2005) cover health documents for international travellers. They apply to 197 countries, including all 194 WHO Member States. One known example is the yellow fever certificate. The third edition of the IHR made it valid for the life of the person vaccinated.

Use the visa medical certificate requirements finder to look up what your destination asks for.

This page is general information about certificate layouts. It is not medical or legal advice and does not replace a clinician's assessment or the official rules of your country, employer, school, airline or consulate.

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Last reviewed .