Visa application and 'infectious countries'

[lai]

Hey guys,

I'm worried I may get my visa rejected as on the form the following question is asked:

'Did you visit countries or territories infected by infectious diseases in the last 30 days?'

Mine would be 1 day to be exact, as I plan to sort apply for the visa as soon as I get back to the UK! Has anybody heard of anyone being refused it because they answered yes to this question?

I've booked my flights for the end of August already. :s

[Matty]

Could you mention which country you did/will visit?

[jbradfor]

Just curious: who defines "infected by infectious diseases"? Does the Chinese government put out a list?

Otherwise, just how does one define "infected"? I mean, 'round these parts, in the winter it seems everyone is getting a cold or a flu, which certainly is an "infectious disease".

[m000gle]

I'm also a bit confused by how they would define "countries or territories infected by infectious diseases."...

However, if I remember right, if you have visited an area, within the last 30-days, where Yellow Fever is endemic, they may want to see your proof of immunization. If its outside that time-frame, the fact you didn't develop the disease is proof enough that you're not sick.

[Erbse]

My guess is, if you have been in an area where yellow fever, malaria, cholera, ... are rampant.

[Lost in Mong Kok]

Most visa issuing agencies which do China visas seem to have "any person suffering from a mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China"... however, I thought that they had changed their policy on AIDs, although it may only relate to certain circumstances.

I've never heard of it, but having travelled to some countries with so called "infectious diseases" I have been told to have vaccination records for these diseases (I think the main one was yellow fever at the time) however I was never asked for them on entering the country, or on returning home to the UK.

China customs may require you to produce a similar vaccination record, or maybe a clean medical certificate.

Do they not ask for the country and location of where you were within this country? Do you know what infectious diseases this area is recorded as containing and if you have been vaccinated against them?

There is a list of infectious diseases here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_infectious_diseases

I think they're just diseases which can easily be spread, so most countries probably consider the full list to be under the "infectious diseases" category.

I doubt there is anything to worry about. Probably just a formality.

[lai]

Thank you all for your replies!

I will be coming back from Ghana! (Sorry I should have included this in the original post)

Before going I had vaccinations for Hep A, Men C, Dip/Tet/Polio, Typhoid and Yellow Fever and currently taking Malarone for Malaria. I also had the TB vaccination at school.

[Lost in Mong Kok]

Given that you came from the UK its likely that your doctor provided you with all of the necessary vaccinations against the possible diseases you might come up against. If this is the case I suggest simply attaching a copy of the relevant vaccination certificate to the visa application, maybe with a cover letter, or with an addition in the "notes" section of the application (if it exists).

I had similar vaccinations for a trip to Africa last year, no problems with my China visa at all, and they would have seen the other visa and date in my passport. I was never asked to provide any additional information.

The form for entering the UK probably has a similar question on it. Doubt its anything to worry about unless you are travelling home riddled with typhoid.