Medical insurance is a mandatory document for Schengen, the UK and most other destinations. Missing or incorrect insurance is a formal ground for refusal.
Minimum coverage
For Schengen — 30,000 EUR, covering medical expenses and emergency repatriation. The validity must span the whole trip, with a 1-2 day buffer at each end. For the US it is formally optional but highly advisable (healthcare there is expensive).
What the policy must include
- A coverage amount no less than required.
- Territory of validity — the whole Schengen zone if the visa is Schengen.
- Coverage of epidemic and pandemic risks (post-2020).
- Emergency medical care and repatriation.
Common mistakes
- Insurance only for the trip dates with no buffer — a flight change can leave you uncovered.
- Coverage of 30,000 dollars instead of 30,000 EUR — formally less.
- A policy in Russian without an English version (Schengen requires it).
Where to arrange it in Kazakhstan
Most Kazakhstani insurers (Eurasia, Nomad, Kaspi Insurance, Halyk) issue policies accepted for visas. Online — 5-10 minutes, instant delivery to your email.
For student and long-term visas
Short-term insurance is not enough. Many countries require local insurance to be arranged after entry (Germany, France for students).
A mobile version of the policy
Take a printout with you to the border. Many border officers check the policy selectively, especially on a first visit to the country.
Insurance requirement details are published by the visa centres (VFS, BLS, TLScontact) on their websites.