The UK government has announced a new set of measures related to pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening, extending it to an additional 67 countries identified as having ‘high incidence’ of the disease by the World Health Organisation.

The new measures mean migrants wanting to enter the UK for more than 6 months, from 67 countries with a high incidence of TB, will need to be screened before they are granted a visa for the UK, including student visas. UKBA said it was likely to begin the extended procedure around July 2012, phasing out on-entry screening at UK major airports.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said: 'A third of the world's population is carrying tuberculosis and it is currently at its highest level in the UK for 30 years. It's essential that we take action to tackle its continued rise. Pre-entry screening, followed by treatment where necessary, will help to prevent the risk of TB in the UK and will also save lives.

'Pre-entry screening, followed by treatment where necessary, will help to prevent the risk of TB in the UK and will also save lives.'

However, it will place the burden on students coming to the UK to cover the costs of screening and subsequent treatment, which vary according to country of destination.

Countries already covered by the pre-screening measures are: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Laos, Niger, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand and Togo.

Some of the countries recently included to the list are: China, Korea, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Macau, Bolivia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Russian Federation and Vietnam among others.

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If you are from one of the countries in the list, you need to make sure you get your TB screening as part of your visa application, to avoid delays and complications. Consult your local doctor for more information.

Read more about studying in the UK.