liverpoollady

Hi,

I have had an offer of a job in Qatar and I am keen to accept it.
However, while doing some research online about the medical I discovered that people who have had PTB in the past may not actually pass the medical for the visa? And even if I did, I could possibly be subjected to a second medical in order to get an 'iqama'(?)/premit once I reach Qatar?

I had TB about 15 years ago and even though I am 100% healed I know that I have a lung scar. I contacted the medical clinic where I am due to take the medical test/get the X-rays but the response I got was that it shouldn't be a problem (that I had TB in the past)...but yet everything I read online says that it will be a problem?

I don't want to spend hundreds of £'s on getting my medical done and X-rays etc. only to be denied the visa? And even if I do pass here in the UK...is it very likely that I am going to fail once I get to Qatar and have to do the 2nd medical?

It's very stressful as I don't want to give up everything I have here only to be deported once I arrive there. The embassies both here and there are not very helpful as I have contacted them and they basically just say that they 'don't know'. I have even contacted other GCC embassies in the hope that they could shed some light on the situation but all I am getting back are replies of 'don't know'. I need to know the situation before I move as it may not be worth the risk if there is a strong chance of deportation.

Many thanks!

sharonm5

Can't you have an X-ray from an informed medical centre...

liverpoollady

I have all my X-rays and X-ray reports from years ago, when I had TB, including the report where I got the 'all clear' after 6 months of treatment and continuing check-ups.

I'll be going to a clinic in London to get the medical done (not sure if I am allowed to name the clinic on this forum). It's a very reputable place. I'll be getting X-rays done there as part of the medical.

However, on the medical form it asks if you have any abnormalities including scars on your lungs from the X-rays. They will no doubt write 'yes' to this. My scars are as a result of having had TB. Having had TB in the past, no matter whether you are healed or cured or whatever, is, as far as I am reading online, an automatic ban on living and working in any of the GCC countries. Even if I am declared 'medically fit' at my medical, it seems I still have to go through another medical upon arrival in Qatar (I think the 2nd medical is at the discretion of the employer although I am open to correction on this). If I get through the medical in London, I may face failing the medical in Qatar due to my TB lung scar.

co durham boy

Unfortunately theres a chance that once they see the scar they'll just reject the application , i've had it with numerous employees here and it's pretty difficult to get round.

You can have another medical at The Hamad hospital and that involves seeing a specialist . If you bring as much information as possible with you it will stand you in good stead .

Like anything in this part of the world it's all down to interpretation on the day and who you see and how much sway and influence your employer has and not forgetting your nationality and passport .

liverpoollady

Thanks for your reply.
I have the possibility of going to Saudi Arabia either (I'm a teacher by profession) and I'm guessing it's the same there as Qatar?...or are they worse? I am very keen to work in the Middle East..can't believe an old lung scar from a healed illness could come back to haunt me!

co durham boy

You have more of a chance here to be honest , i'm sorry i can't give you a definite reply , maybe if you post your question on http://www.expatwoman.com/qatar/foru...spx?ForumID=24 you might get a more informed answer , there should be some people on that forum who work in the medical profession here in Doha.

Like i said everything is a bit hit or miss here , sometimes good but sometimes very very bad , that's just the way it works . Try and get some more info on expat woman it might give you a better view into making the correct decision .

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=750729

Jim Smith

I don't know if things have changed but a guy I knew was thrown out of Qatar in early 80's because of a TB scar. But listen to be the more up to date info, which unfortunately sounds to be unchanged.

liverpoollady

Thanks you seem knowledgable on the subject. I'll try those forums you posted links to also. Do you know of anyone who actually got in/got to stay whilst having a lung scar due to TB? Thanks again.

scot47

Medical for KSA pre-entry fociuses on Hepatitis and AIDS.

busybee2

i know for qatar they are not as strict as uae, somebody was working in qatar but was refused a visa in uae, something to do with a preceived scar on xray which he didnt have anything.... but they couldnt take it back, so had to move over to qatar instead.

xrayspex

This is an interesting thread... i just joined to reply to this as i'm going through exactly the same thing. I'm a Brit, had TB 8 years ago, and have just applied for a Saudi work visa.

I completed a visa medical in London last week and have been sitting here more or less waiting for the rejection call. I didn't get it though. I just got an email saying my passport is being returned to me, I assume with visa.

Update to follow when i get my pasport back. If I do get the visa though, there is still the Iqama medical to pass in Saudi.

MaserMan

Your problem will arise once you are in Doha. The suggestion of going private might be your best option because if you go to the medical centre it is a cattle market with a pass or fail.

When I was there a guy was back for the 3rd time because they said he had a shadow in his lungs, yet the xray taken about 1 month previous in the UK showed nothing and he had no previous history. Don't know how it ended up for him but at the time things did not look good.

Good luck whatever your decision.

globetrekker

hey I'm in the same position as you, did u end up getting your visa????

globetrekker

Hi i also have a medical coming up for a position in saudi arabia, i too had tb over 10 years ago, did you pass your medical? i'd really like to know!

FriendlyExpat

In respect of Saudi Arabia, I wouldn't worry too much about lung scars. I know someone who has a lung scar (maybe from old TB or maybe from something else e.g bronchitis) and there were no problems getting past any of the tests either pre- or post-arrival. No issue at all.