Visa issues for Hep-B positive

Theoretically speaking, if you were coming from a GAMCA medical test country, they would have marked you as UNFIT.   It is not about viral load but the antibody test, which will always be positive.  The reason you are able to submit results to the Embassy is because you are coming from the UK - if you were coming from, say, Pakistan or Indian etc., the UNFIT would have ended your quest to Saudi there and then (because GAMCA operates on strict rules provided by the GCC countries and doesn't clear candidates who will be rejected later on.  In fact, they are stricter than the GCC countries own testing inside the country).

So yes, Saudi Embassy can have a problem with giving the visa and even if they do, there is a chance for Iqama to be rejected when the person arrives - as the medical test on arrival is considered as the definitive one.   However, in some cases they have allowed it but those have been exceptions.

Thank you so much for sharing your views on this. I guess it's 50/50 whether my friend will get the Iqama or not, assuming he gets the visa from Saudi Embassy in London.

@XTang so are the hepatitis b rules of Saudi same as UAE? Because in UAE if you have a negative surface antigen they will issue you with the visa, but if it's positive then it's rejected , but some people say that Saudi is different , even if you have a negative surface antigen , but as long as you have suffered from hepatitis b before, they will not give u iqama , is it true

Saudi is completely different to UAE.  To keep it simple, ALL of the GCC have one rule on Hep B and UAE has another.

Your understanding of UAE rule is flawed.  It is not determined by surface antigen but by antibody.  If your antibody test is positive (i.e. showing you have had Hep B), you will still get a visa if your job does not fall into 6 categories (food handlers etc).  If it does fall in those categories, you won't get a visa.   And antibody test is the determining factor.

For Saudi and the rest of the GCC, it is simple.  If Hep B positive via antibody test then no visa.

Can employers make a case for the candidate as an exception for HepB carriers to get the work permit in Saudi arabia?

Is there an update on this?

No update.  Same situation.  Employers can request it but unless you are a very senior hire in a Government entity under Vision 2030, the chances of an exemption being granted are very low.

Good day;

What are the 6 categories of job where people having hepatitis b are not allowed in GCC countries? Are Firefighters included in these 6 categories?

To make it clear, the 6 categories ONLY apply to UAE.  Everywhere else in the GCC, you will not get a visa if you are Hep B positive irrespective of category.  And in the UAE, firefighters are not part of the 6 categories.