When you choose to move abroad there are a lot of factors that you will need to consider, from moving your stuff abroad to applying for a visa to purchasing a home in your new country. One important consideration that you might not have made yet is whether or not you will need a health clearance when you move abroad.
Health and Medical Regulations
When you are emigrating to another country you will need to meet certain restrictions in regards to health and medical regulations. These restrictions are usually in place so that the country can minimize any health and safety risks to its own community.
Depending on where you are travelling, these restrictions can be reasonable or they can be very dramatic. No matter what, it’s important to understand them before you go so that you can address them in advance.
Most of the time you will at least need to supply proof of the vaccinations that you have had as a child or an adult. Also, you might be required to get booster vaccinations depending on the country you are moving abroad to.
You will not necessarily be denied a visa if you have a health problem such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity or AIDS. However, your case might be individually considered for the possible impact that it might have on the community of your destination company. This might include the costs of treatment or the support necessary for your condition. Of course, the details of this will depend on the country that you are immigrating to.
Healthcare Policies
It is also important to know whether or not your current health policy in your country will cover you when you are an expat. Most of the time, it will not.
Moving abroad usually means that you will need to figure out a different situation with your healthcare and that you will need to buy another healthcare policy, usually from a company that specialises in international healthcare coverage. If your company offers international coverage, you might simply be able to switch your policy.
Another factor to consider is that if you take prescription medications you should check to make sure that those drugs are not illegal in the country that you are moving to.
Arranging a Health Clearance
When you are arranging a health clearance it will be with a qualified doctor or radiologist that is approved by the Department of Immigration for that specific country. The health examination will usually include chest X-rays and a full check-up.
Make sure that you have copies of your medical records to take with you. If you are battling an ongoing medical issue and you have been seeing a specialist, you will need to check that you can be treated for this issue in your new country.
page last updated June 2015
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