Health insurance for foreigners in Kazakhstan: compulsory insurance (OSMS) for residence card holders and EAEU workers, private cover for visas and RVP, and what free care includes

A foreigner's right to medical care under compulsory social health insurance (OSMS) depends on their status. Foreigners with a residence card and kandas (ethnic Kazakh returnees) participate in OSMS on the same terms as Kazakhstan citizens; so, according to the Ministry of Health, do workers from EAEU countries and their family members. Temporarily staying foreigners — on a visa or with a temporary residence permit (RVP) — are not covered: free of charge they receive only emergency care and treatment of diseases dangerous to others. Everything else is paid out of pocket or under a private (voluntary) health insurance policy.

Three levels of medical care

Which foreigners are covered by OSMS

Permanent residents (residence card). The OSMS Law expressly equates foreigners and stateless persons permanently residing in Kazakhstan, as well as kandas, with citizens: the same rights and the same contribution obligations. Once you receive a residence card, you register with a polyclinic and, if employed, your employer starts paying contributions and withholding yours.

EAEU workers. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan employed in Kazakhstan under an employment contract, according to earlier clarifications by state bodies, participate in OSMS on an equal footing with citizens: the employer pays contributions on their income and the employee pays theirs. This follows from the EAEU Treaty, which equates member-state workers with nationals in social security (other than pensions) and medical care.

Temporarily staying foreigners. Foreigners on a visa (C3, C5, B categories) and RVP holders from non-EAEU countries are not OSMS participants, even if they work for a Kazakhstan company. They need private insurance.

OSMS contributions in 2026

Percentage rates stayed the same in 2026; only the upper limit of the base increased.

The minimum wage for 2026 is KZT 85,000. You can check your insured status on egov.kz or in banking apps. If contributions stop, the right to OSMS care is suspended — a common problem for people changing jobs or becoming sole traders.

What a foreigner without OSMS gets

Temporarily staying foreigners are entitled to GOBMP to a limited extent: emergency medical care and care for diseases dangerous to others — unless a law or a ratified international treaty provides more. Everything else — a GP visit, tests, planned surgery, childbirth — is paid or covered by private insurance.

In practice: in an acute situation, an ambulance and emergency hospitalisation will be provided, but follow-up treatment after your condition is stabilised may be billed.

So keep your private policy and the insurer's assistance phone number at hand: at a private clinic, treatment under a policy is usually paid by the insurer directly, while without one you pay the bill yourself and then, if the contract allows, claim reimbursement. Keep statements, receipts and medical reports — the insurer will need them, and so will doctors if you continue treatment in another country.

Private insurance for visas, RVP and work

• Visa. Kazakhstan law does not set a single insurance requirement for all visas, but some consulates ask for a policy when you apply. Check the requirements of the specific consulate.
• Labour migration. According to the Minister of Health, workers arriving for employment or engaged by employers must have medical insurance covering primary health care. An employer obtaining a foreign labour permit would do well to include private cover in the benefits package.
• RVP. Document requirements depend on the ground; if a policy is requested, its term must cover your stay.

When choosing a policy, check the coverage limit, whether inpatient and emergency care are included, the clinic network in your city, exclusions (chronic conditions, pregnancy, dentistry), the language of service and whether the insurer settles directly with clinics.

How to start using OSMS after receiving a residence card

1. Check your IIN — make sure the new residence card data is linked to it.
2. Register with a polyclinic at your place of residence — via eGov or in person at the polyclinic you choose. Registration gives access to a GP and referrals to specialists.
3. Make sure contributions are coming in. If employed, your employer pays them; if not, pay the contribution yourself every month.
4. Check your insured status on egov.kz or in a banking app before a planned visit.

Until you receive the residence card, while you are on an RVP, keep a valid private policy: a gap between the end of the policy and the start of OSMS entitlement is a typical trap when moving between statuses.

How employers should handle health insurance for foreign staff

• EAEU citizens. The employer calculates OSMS contributions on their income and withholds the employee's share exactly as for Kazakhstan citizens.
• Foreigners with a residence card. The same regime as for citizens.
• Foreigners on a C3 visa or with an RVP from other countries. OSMS contributions are generally not calculated, but the employee needs private insurance; it is convenient to provide for its cost in the employment contract or benefits package.

If an employee's status changes — for example, they receive a residence card — payroll must update the data and start contributions from the relevant month. Mistakes here surface during tax audits and lead to additional assessments.

Common mistakes

• Assuming that working in Kazakhstan automatically gives OSMS. For non-EAEU foreigners without a residence card it does not, even if the employer pays taxes.
• Not registering with a polyclinic after the residence card. Without registration, planned OSMS care is not available.
• Missing contributions between jobs. "Uninsured" status arises quickly, and restoring it requires payment.
• Buying the cheapest private policy as a formality. It may not cover inpatient care — exactly what costs most.
• Forgetting the children. Family members of a foreigner on a visa or RVP are not covered by OSMS either; see moving to Kazakhstan with your family.

Timing and cost

• OSMS contributions are paid monthly; the employer pays no later than the 25th of the following month unless the law provides otherwise.
• The price of a private policy depends on age, plan and insurer — compare terms, not only price.

Health insurance is one of the details people tend to postpone when relocating. Visa Navigator handles temporary residence permits, permanent residence and work permits and will tell you which status gives access to OSMS and when you need private cover; the insurance terms are set by the insurer.

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and practice change — verify the current requirements as of the date you apply.