Moving to Saudi - TB Skin Test
 

Hi, my wife, kids and I will be relocating to Saudi for a job that I have taken, however during my wife's medical exam her TB skin test came back as positive. Her XRays were all clear and her doctor says she was likely just exposed to TB before or was vaccinated against it (although she doesn't remember). Anyway, the doctor says she doesn't have active TB and is not contagious.

Does anyone know how the embassy will view this when applying for her visa? I assume that since she is not contagious that she could still get a visa but we are very nervous at this point that she won't be able to join me right away.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Sean.

Re: Moving to Saudi - TB Skin Test
 

I'd probably get the test repeated. A positive test means she has been exposed to the TB bacteria, which could become active at a later date (approx 15% chance). Not sure how the KSA authorities would respond to a positive test.

Re: Moving to Saudi - TB Skin Test
 

most people in the UK (up until 2005 apparently - google is your friend - http://www.patient.co.uk/health/BCG-Immunisation.htm) were given the BCG vaccination as kids and this will trigger a reaction from the skin test. this is perfectly normal, and the way they rule out tuberculosis is by doing a chest x-ray. in fact the skin test is usually performed to check whether your BCG is effective or not..

the saudi medical requires a chest x-ray and not a skin test by the way...