TB Test for UK Visa: Finding IOM

TB Test for UK Visa in Pakistan

Since March 2007, an additional requirement for Pakistani applicants of UK visas (6 months or more duration) is to have a tuberculosis (TB) certificate. The certificate is issued by International Organization for Migration (IOM). Except for a phone number (which is 051-111 466 472) nothing is listed anywhere on the Internet.

Below is an attempt to show you the location and tell you the process for Karachi residents (something similar would be applicable to Islamabad, Lahore and other cities). IOM Addresses for major cities can be found at the bottom of this post.

The process itself is as follows:

Step 1: Get Appointment from IOM

Keep your passport number handy, and call IOM call center on Islamabad. As with any kind of visa related issues, be very patient but consistent.

They will ask you for (a) the visa category you are applying, (b) your full name, (c) your date of birth, (d) and your passport number. The person attending the call will tell you a reference number and ask you to deposit TB test fee in the designated bank; he'll also tell you the address of (and time for your appointment with) the Karachi office of IOM. Usually the time given is day after the following day. For your appointment at IOM, you will also be told to carry the following with you (a) your original passport, (b) a copy of your passport, (c) two passport sized photographs (d) and bank deposit slips

Step 2: Deposit Test Fee

Go to Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Gulshan-e-Iqbal branch. It's located on University Road, almost opposite to Masjid Bait-ul-Mukaram. They have special deposit slips for IOM. The fee is Rs. 3500/- (again as of now). You'll need to write down your passport number on the deposit slip---so keep that handy once again.

Step 3: Visit IOM

Now, wait for your appointment day at IOM. The location where you have to go is shown on the map below.


View Larger Map

This is easily reachable if you take a left turn at Karsaz from Shahra-e-Faisal while going towards the airport---cross the first signal and then take another turn left; this is one end of the the Tipu Sultan Road. Another useful hint: you can go there earlier than your appointment time. After taking your passport copy, photographs and a part of the deposit slip, they will give you a sealed envelope which you have to take to main Agha Khan University Hospital.

Step 4: Visit AKUH, and Get Tested

Go to AKHU, Radiology section; there is a dedicated counter for IOM there. Give them your passport and the sealed envelope; wait for your turn and get X-rayed. AKUH will give you back your passport but not any results.

Step 5: Collect the Results

Your TB certificate will have to be collected in person once again from IOM office. The collection timings are 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm (Monday to Thursday), and 12:30pm to 1:00pm on Friday.

---

Below are addresses for IOM in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Mirpur (aka Meerpur):

IOM Karachi

IOM Karachi Sub-office
F-8/1 KDA Scheme #1
Tipu Sultan Road (adjacent to Karsaz Road)
Karachi

IOM Lahore

IOM Lahore Sub-office

1 Ali Block,

New Garden Town (near Kalma Chowk, behind Zainab Hospital)

Lahore

IOM Islamabad

IOM Islambad Sub-office

House 14, Street 84,

G-6/4,

Islamabad

IOM Mirpur

International Organisation For Migration (Iom) Sub Office
House # 6, Sector D/4, F2 Road, Block West,
Mirpur, Azad Kashmir.

---

Phew!