Zimbabwe
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to Zimbabwe
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Zimbabwe based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Zimbabwe does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
Among the requirements for a visa outlined by the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Washington, there is no medical certificate needed and there is no other indication of an HIV-related restriction on entry.
According to the Immigration Act on ‘Prohibited migrants’, any person who is ‘infected or afflicted with or suffering from a prescribed disease’, unless he is in possession of a permit to enter and remain in Zimbabwe issued upon conditions fixed in the permit and complies with such conditions. Additionally, it gives power to immigration officers to request medical examinations to people suspected of being a ‘prohibited migrant’.
However, HIV is not among the notifiable diseases listed in Chapter 15:09 of the Public Health Act.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Zimbabwe
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Zimbabwe based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State , Zimbabwe does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Zimbabwe
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Zimbabwe based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State , Zimbabwe does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
The application for residence permit does not contain questions or fields in relation to any health condition or status such as HIV.
According to the information available on the website of the Department of Immigration of Zimbabwe, residency permits require submission of a radiological certificate. However, HIV disclosure or testing is not included among the list of requirements for the visa application.
Treatment access in Zimbabwe
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Zimbabwe. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
Ruedi Lüthy Foundation, formerly known as Swiss AIDS Care International, runs a treatment & training centre in Harare.
IOM reports that under the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Section 75) (2013), citizens, permanent residents, migrant children and elderly migrants (above the age of 70) have access to subsidised healthcare services. Furthermore, the Constitution grants all persons, including migrants, the right to emergency medical treatment. Similarly, all people living with a chronic disease have access to related healthcare services. HIV treatment is also free of charge. In addition, emergency medical treatment is accessible to all upon payment for the services provided. The scope of healthcare access for both migrants and nationals is determined by economic means or availability of resources. According to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, permanent residents have equal access to the labour market as citizens. Furthermore, under the National Social Security Authority Act (1989), migrant employees have equal access to social security benefits as nationals. Social security is provided by the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), which instituted the Accident Prevention and Workers Compensation (1990). This scheme covers all workers between the ages of 18 and 65 who are formally employed. Nationals’ and non-nationals’ equal access to social security benefits illustrates Zimbabwe’s commitment to provide equitable provision of social services without discrimination.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Zimbabwe 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) | Yes |
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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.
