Master prompt
Tuberculosis test + biometric enrolment checklist (UK from India)
TB test under Appendix Tuberculosis — IOM-listed Indian clinics, validity windows, exemptions. UKVCAS (in-UK) vs VFS India (out-of-UK) biometric enrolment, BRP → eVisa transition.
UKDocument checklistTB testBiometricUKVCASVFSBRPeVisa
You are advising [CLIENT_NAME] on the TB test and biometric enrolment requirements for the UK application submitted from [APPLICATION_LOCATION].
§1 — TB TEST REQUIREMENT (Appendix Tuberculosis)
UKVI requires a TB test certificate for applicants who:
(a) Are applying for a visa for MORE THAN 6 MONTHS, AND
(b) Have been resident for 6 months or more in a listed country in the 6 months immediately before the UK application
Cross-check [INTENDED_STAY_MONTHS] and [COUNTRY_OF_RESIDENCE_LAST_6M]:
• If [INTENDED_STAY_MONTHS] ≤ 6 months → NO TB test required
• If [COUNTRY_OF_RESIDENCE_LAST_6M] is India / Pakistan / Bangladesh / Nepal / Sri Lanka / Bhutan / Maldives → TB test required (these are on the list)
• If [COUNTRY_OF_RESIDENCE_LAST_6M] is a non-listed country (Singapore, UAE pre-2025, US, Canada, EU, etc.) → NO TB test required
• Full list: gov.uk Appendix Tuberculosis (~100 countries listed)
Exceptions to TB test requirement (even if (a) + (b) met):
• Applicant under age 11 (some routes — verify; default is age 11+)
• Returning UK resident with valid leave still in effect
• Diplomat or family member of diplomat
• Recent prior TB test certificate (valid ≤ 6 months from issue date)
§2 — IOM-LISTED CLINICS IN INDIA
TB test MUST be done at a UKVI-approved clinic. List managed by International Organization for Migration (IOM):
• Delhi & NCR — Max Healthcare (multiple branches), Apollo Spectra
• Mumbai — Apollo Diagnostics, Sterling Hospital
• Bengaluru — Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospital
• Chennai — Apollo Hospitals
• Hyderabad — Apollo Hospitals, Care Hospitals
• Kolkata — AMRI Hospitals
• Chandigarh — Fortis Mohali, Max Mohali
• Ahmedabad — Apollo CBCC, Sterling Hospital
• Pune — Sahyadri Hospitals
• Smaller cities — typically have one designated centre; check IOM portal (uk-tbdetection-program.iom.int)
Full current list: https://uk-tbdetection-program.iom.int — verify at time of booking. Indian government also operates centres in select cities under Ministry of Health agreement.
For Delhi: recommend nearest IOM clinic with current appointment availability. Booking is online via IOM portal.
§3 — TB TEST PROCEDURE
Step 1 — Online booking via IOM portal
• Select clinic, appointment slot
• Pay fee online (~₹3,500-5,000 per applicant // 2026-05 — verify current IOM rates)
• Pediatric rate sometimes discounted for under-11s
• All applicants in family book separately (each gets own certificate)
Step 2 — Visit clinic with documents
• Original passport (NOT photocopy)
• Online appointment confirmation
• 2 passport-size photographs
• Any prior chest X-ray / TB treatment records
Step 3 — Chest X-ray
• Standard PA view chest X-ray (occasionally lateral if first inconclusive)
• Radiologist reviews same day or within 24 hours
• If clear: certificate issued same day or next working day
• If inconclusive: sputum sample test required (additional 8-week treatment course in rare cases)
Step 4 — Certificate issuance
• Valid for 6 MONTHS from date of issue
• Original certificate handed over
• Digital copy emailed in some clinics
• UKVI submission: digital copy upload + original at appointment
§4 — IF No is non-trivial
If pregnant:
• Standard practice: NO chest X-ray during pregnancy
• Alternative: TB blood test (IGRA — Interferon Gamma Release Assay) + clinical interview
• IOM clinics offer this alternative; flag pregnancy at booking
• Certificate issued with note: "TB clearance based on IGRA blood test in lieu of X-ray due to pregnancy"
• UKVI accepts this in standard practice
If recent chest surgery / radiation:
• Alternative testing arranged case-by-case
• Medical records from treating hospital required
If on TB medications (TST positive but no active TB):
• Disclose treatment history at clinic
• Clinic may issue certificate noting current treatment + non-infectious status
§5 — VALIDITY WINDOW MANAGEMENT
• TB test certificate valid for 6 months from issue date
• Must be VALID on the date of UKVI application submission (not the date of UKVCAS / VFS appointment)
• Plan: book TB test 1-4 months before intended application date
• If application is delayed beyond 6 months from TB test issue → re-test required
• Family members: certificates can be issued on different dates — application package must show ALL family certs are valid on submission date
§6 — BIOMETRIC ENROLMENT — [APPLICATION_LOCATION]
§6.1 — If [APPLICATION_LOCATION] is "In-UK (UKVCAS)":
UKVCAS = UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (operated by Sopra Steria)
Process:
Step 1 — Complete online application via gov.uk portal
Step 2 — Pay UKVI fee + Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Step 3 — Book UKVCAS biometric appointment
• 50+ Sopra Steria service points across UK (London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, etc.)
• Some "core" service points free; "enhanced" service points charge £75-200
• Premium services: same-day biometric, evening / weekend slots, document scanning at appointment
Step 4 — Attend appointment
• Original passport + all supporting documents
• Biometrics taken: fingerprints (10 fingers) + photo
• Photo specifications: 45mm × 35mm, white background, no glasses, neutral expression
• Documents scanned or sight-only (depending on service tier)
Step 5 — Receive decision via email
• Standard: 6-8 weeks
• Priority: 5 working days (£500 fee — verify current)
• Super Priority: next working day decision (£1,000 fee — verify current)
§6.2 — If [APPLICATION_LOCATION] is "Outside UK — VFS India":
VFS Global = official UKVI commercial partner for India (and most other countries)
VFS centres in India (12 cities as of 2026):
• Delhi (Gurgaon, R-Tech Park)
• Mumbai (Bandra-Kurla Complex)
• Chennai (Sterling Towers)
• Bengaluru (Bagmane Tech Park)
• Kolkata (Tata Centre)
• Hyderabad (Begumpet)
• Chandigarh (Sector 17)
• Ahmedabad (Vastrapur)
• Pune (Magarpatta City)
• Jalandhar (Punjab — opened to serve Punjab/Haryana)
• Kochi (Edappally)
• Goa (Panaji)
Process:
Step 1 — Complete online application via gov.uk
Step 2 — Pay UKVI fee + IHS via online portal
Step 3 — Book VFS appointment online (VFS India website)
Step 4 — Attend appointment
• Biometrics taken: fingerprints (10 fingers) + photo
• Originals submitted (retained by VFS, returned via courier in 2-3 weeks)
• Premium services:
— Priority Visa: 5 working days decision (~ ₹26,000-30,000 fee — verify current)
— Super Priority Visa: next working day decision (~ ₹52,000-60,000 fee — verify current)
— Prime Time appointment: out-of-hours slot
— Walk-in service: limited
— Courier return of documents: standard included; secure courier extra
Step 5 — Receive vignette in passport
• Single-entry vignette valid for 30 days
• Must travel to UK within 30-day window
• Full BRP / eVisa issued after arrival in UK
§7 — BRP → eVisa TRANSITION (current as of 2026 — verify)
UK Home Office is transitioning from physical BRP to digital eVisa system:
• All BRPs issued before end of 2024 expire 31 December 2024 (verify — many extended)
• New visas issue eVisa only (no physical card)
• eVisa access via UKVI account; share code for landlord / employer Right to Work / Right to Rent checks
• Some categories still receive temporary BRP during transition
• Practical advice: applicants should set up UKVI account immediately after visa grant
For [CLIENT_NAME], confirm at application:
• Does this route issue physical BRP or eVisa only?
• Has UKVI account been set up?
• If extending in UK and previous BRP expires soon, eVisa transition timeline
§8 — TIMELINE PLAN FOR [CLIENT_NAME]
Recommended sequencing (assuming 8-week run-up to submission):
Week 1 — Confirm route + complete online application
Week 2 — Book TB test at IOM clinic in Delhi
Week 3 — Attend TB test; collect certificate
Week 4 — Compile financial / supporting documentation (per master checklist)
Week 5 — Translations + apostilles in hand
Week 6 — Book biometric appointment (UKVCAS or VFS)
Week 7 — Upload all documents to UKVI portal
Week 8 — Attend biometric appointment with originals
Week 9-10 — Decision (or 5-7 days for priority service)
§9 — RED FLAGS
□ TB certificate older than 6 months at submission date — RE-TEST
□ Test done at NON-IOM clinic — INVALID; re-test at approved clinic
□ Pregnancy not disclosed at booking — clinic refuses X-ray; rebooking adds 2-3 weeks
□ Inconclusive X-ray result — schedule 8-week observation OR sputum testing
□ Active TB diagnosed — treatment required (typically 6 months); visa application paused
□ Biometric appointment booked at wrong centre (e.g. UKVCAS booked for someone applying from India)
□ BRP / eVisa setup confusion — UKVI account not activated before travel
End with: "DRAFT — for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Verify against current UKVI guidance before submission. The Appendix Tuberculosis list of countries is reviewed annually; the IOM clinic list updates periodically. Confirm current UKVCAS / VFS appointment availability and the eVisa transition state at the time of application."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt