UK guide · TB test · 3 min read
TB test for a UK visa from Nepal: the approved clinics, the fee and what to expect.
If you're going to the UK for 6 months or more, you need a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from a clinic the Home Office approves. In Nepal there are two, both in Kathmandu: IOM, which charges USD 60 for applicants aged 11 and over, paid in rupees, and Norvic International Hospital, which charges NPR 7,800. The test is a chest X-ray; the certificate is valid for 6 months. A certificate from any other clinic isn't accepted.
The short version
- Only two clinics in Nepal are approved: IOM (USD 60 for age 11+, paid in rupees) and Norvic International Hospital (NPR 7,800).
- Needed for stays of 6 months or more if you've lived in Nepal for 6 months or more and were here in the last 6 months.
- The test is a chest X-ray. Most students get the certificate the same week.
- The certificate is valid for 6 months. Book it so it's still valid when you apply.
- Female applicants aged 12 to 54 may be asked for a pregnancy test first (NPR 650 at Norvic).
Who needs it
GOV.UK says you need a TB test if you’re coming to the UK for 6 months or more and you’ve lived in Nepal for 6 months or more, and were here within the last 6 months. For almost every Nepali student on a degree, that means yes. Dependants coming with you need their own test.
The two approved clinics
| Clinic | Age 11 and over | Under 11 | Certificate reissue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IOM, Kathmandu | USD 60 | USD 40 | USD 12 | Paid in Nepali rupees at IOM’s exchange rate |
| Norvic International Hospital, Kathmandu | NPR 7,800 | NPR 5,200 | NPR 1,300 | Female applicants aged 12 to 54 may pay NPR 650 for a pregnancy test |
Fees as listed on GOV.UK, last updated 2 November 2025. At Rs 152.24 per USD (18 Oct 2026), IOM’s USD 60 is about Rs 9,100. Confirm the current fee when you book. The test fee is on top of the visa fee and goes to the clinic.
What happens on the day
- Book with the clinic by phone or its booking page.
- Bring your passport, passport photos if asked, and the fee. Some clinics ask for your visa application details.
- Registration and a short questionnaire about your health history.
- A chest X-ray. It takes a few minutes.
- The result. If the X-ray is clear, the clinic issues your certificate, often within days.
If the X-ray shows something that needs checking, the clinic may ask for sputum tests, which take weeks. That’s why we book the test early, not in the last fortnight.
When to book
| Your plan | When to take the test |
|---|---|
| September intake, applying in July | June or early July |
| January intake, applying in November | October or early November |
| Any intake | After your offer, and so the certificate is still valid on the day you apply (6 months) |
Don’t take it a year early: a certificate older than 6 months on the day you apply isn’t accepted.
Pregnancy and the X-ray
Female applicants aged 12 to 54 may be asked to take a pregnancy test before the X-ray. If you’re pregnant, tell the clinic: there are other ways to complete the assessment, and the clinic will explain them.
Your TB test checklist
- Offer or CAS in hand, so you know your dates
- Booked at IOM or Norvic, not any other clinic
- Passport and the fee ready
- Certificate collected and scanned
- Visa applied for while the certificate is still valid
