Yemen
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- 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 study visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on residence.
- Deportation based on HIV status.
Restrictions on entry to Yemen
It is unclear whether Yemen imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS, Yemen deports non-nationals on the basis of HIV status.
We found no official information to support this.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Yemen
There is some evidence of restrictions on short-term stay for people living with HIV in Yemen.
According to UNAIDS, Yemen requires HIV testing for work and study visas.
The Embassy of Yemen in the Netherlands provides a list of supporting documents that should be submitted with a visa application which include a ‘medically-fit certificate of any infectious diseases.’ This aligns with the information the Embassies in Poland and Washington provide.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Yemen
There is some evidence of restrictions on long-term stay for people living with HIV in Yemen.
According to UNAIDS, Yemen requires HIV testing for residence permits and denies these on the basis of HIV status.
Our information supports this, with permits over three months requiring HIV tests.
Treatment access in Yemen
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Yemen. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
Yemen is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with nearly a decade of conflict severely damaging essential services, including healthcare. Only 45% of public health facilities are partially functional, while the rest have been destroyed.
Yemen still hosts over 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Refugees and displaced people, though entitled to healthcare, face additional barriers in accessing it.
In response, UNHCR supports five primary healthcare centers in major refugee areas (Sana’a, Aden, and Kharaz), offering free services to both refugees and host communities. These centers receive supplies, equipment, and operational support.
In 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) supported 35 healthcare facilities across 13 governorates, focusing on maternal and child health, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks. Due to inadequate rural healthcare, many patients reach hospitals with advanced complications, leading MSF to provide financial, training, and logistical support to address the gaps.
Non-nationals needing emergency or specialised treatment might have to rely on medical evacuation in extreme cases. Travel restrictions also complicate access to healthcare services for those outside major cities.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Yemen 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 | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| 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.
