Getting Our TB Tests

Aweh, guys!

When you apply for a residence visa in the Netherlands, certain conditions have to be met. You need a passport; you will sign a declaration certificate regarding your criminal record, and you need to undergo a tuberculosis test if you are not from the Netherlands. There are people exempt from this, but we were not one of them.

So, we decided to go one morning before Hubby had to go to work so it was bright and early. We went to the 4th floor and told the receptionist that we were there for our TB tests. We had to give them our passports and the TB form we were given by the IND when we first arrived.

We were then called into the office where the first half was the dressing room. We were told to undress from the waist up. They did not provide dressing gowns. My girls honestly don’t get out much, so I guess this was a fun field trip for them. Once we were in our half birthday suits, we stepped into the room with the x-ray machine. I elected to go first so that I could put a shirt on (it was cold) and I had my hair clipped out of the way and stood in front of the plate, aligned my collarbone with the top and put my hands on my hips. A few moments later I was done.

Based on what you fill in on your form regarding symptoms, the physician may require more tests like a skin test, bacteriological test or blood test. Always be honest on these forms as the TB team might require more examinations regardless. We were told if we didn’t hear any news in two weeks, our results would be considered negative.

The good news is you can go for the test without an appointment Monday to Friday between 8:30-11:30 (on Thursdays the Mantoux test is not possible) if you are going to the Stadskantoor in Utrecht (same building as the Expat Center). The downside is that it costs €46.50 per person for the x-ray and the physician might get an eyeful. Ah well, all in a day’s work.