Gambia
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
Restrictions on entry to Gambia
It is unclear whether The Gambia imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, The Gambia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
According to the information available on the Official Web Portal of The Government of The Gambia there are no specific requirements in relation HIV status to enter The Gambia. However, a yellow fever vaccination card is required.
The visa application form published by the Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia in Washington DC does not contain questions or fields in relation to any health condition or status.
However, the Immigration Act sets the grounds on which entry and residence is allowed, and Article 13 states that people living with communicable diseases may be prescribed as ‘prohibited immigrants’ and, under Article 15, may face deportation.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Gambia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in The Gambia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Gambia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Gambia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in The Gambia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Gambia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
Treatment access in Gambia
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in The Gambia. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
IOM reports that regardless of migratory status, migrants have equal access to government-funded health care as citizens. The Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia (1997) outlines that it is the role of the State to facilitate access to adequate health services for all persons. Access to health services based on need, for all persons irrespective of nationality, is one of the guiding principles of the Health is Wealth (2012–2020) national health policy, developed by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The National Migration Policy (NMP)(2020–2030) contains a section dedicated to migration and health, with strategies to ensure migrants’ access to health care.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Gambia 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.
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) | N/A |
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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.
