UK Visa TB Test in Kerala 2026: Amrita Kochi and KIMS Trivandrum, Fees and Rules

A missing or invalid TB certificate is one of the simplest ways to get a UK dependant visa delayed or refused. The rules are strict: only clinics approved by the UK Home Office can issue the certificate, and in Kerala there are just two. Here is how the test works, based on GOV.UK and the clinics' own information.

Who needs a TB test?

Indian residents applying to come to the UK for more than 6 months need a tuberculosis test certificate. That covers Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker and Student visas, and their dependant spouses and children. Visitors staying 6 months or less do not need one.

Approved clinics in Kerala

There is no approved clinic in Kozhikode or elsewhere in Kerala, so applicants from Malabar usually travel to Kochi. Contact details and fees are from the GOV.UK clinic list; call before you go, and say the test is for a UK visa.

What to bring

• The passport you will use for your visa application (original and a copy)
• Two passport-size photos on a white background (Amrita asks for these)
• The UK visa type you are applying for, and your UK address with postcode if you have one
• The fee
• Any history of TB or lung disease, with old X-rays or medical notes

What happens at the clinic

1. Registration and identity check against your passport.
2. A short health questionnaire and examination.
3. A chest X-ray (for applicants aged 11 and over).
4. If the X-ray is clear, the clinic issues the certificate. If it shows anything unusual, you will be asked for sputum samples on 3 consecutive mornings, and results can take up to 8 weeks.

Children

Children under 11 do not normally have an X-ray, but they must still attend an approved clinic, see the clinician and complete the questionnaire, and they still receive a certificate that you submit with their visa application. Bring the child's own passport.

If you are pregnant

GOV.UK gives three options: a shielded X-ray in the second or third trimester, a sputum test instead of the X-ray (may cost more, and results can take up to 8 weeks), or waiting until after the birth. Tell the clinic you are pregnant when you book.

When to take it

The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the X-ray, and it must still be valid when you apply. Take it once you know you will apply within the next few months, but not so early that it expires while you wait for the main applicant's Certificate of Sponsorship. If the visa takes longer than expected, you may need a new test.

Mistakes to avoid

• Testing at a hospital not on the GOV.UK list. The certificate will not be accepted.
• Using a different passport for the test and the visa application.
• Leaving children out because they "do not need an X-ray".
• Relying on old fee figures from other websites. Check the current fee with the clinic.

Book everything in one go

We plan the TB test, funds period and VFS Kochi appointment together, so nothing expires before you apply. Read our complete UK dependent visa guide for the rest of the process.

Need help with the visa application itself? See our UK visa services from Kochi.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I do the UK visa TB test in Kerala?

Only at the two Home Office-approved clinics: Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, and KIMS Health in Thiruvananthapuram.

How much is the UK visa TB test at Amrita Kochi?

₹2,500 per person, for adults and children, according to the GOV.UK clinic list updated in October 2026.

Do children need a TB test for a UK visa?

Yes, they need a certificate. Children under 11 usually do not have an X-ray but must attend the clinic and complete a health questionnaire.

How long is the UK TB certificate valid?

6 months from the date of the chest X-ray.

Is there an approved UK TB clinic in Kozhikode?

No. As of October 2026, the only approved clinics in Kerala are in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.