TEHRAN – About 200,000 foreign nationals in the country have been provided with free health insurance with the financial support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the managing director of Iran Health Insurance Organization has said.

Foreign nationals who are considered financially struggling can benefit from free health insurance services, Mehr news agency quoted Mohammad-Mehdi Nasehi as saying.

Stating that the number of refugees in the country is far more than the number of people who have been covered by free insurance, Nasehi added that legal refugees can enjoy insurance services by paying their insurance premiums.

Free health insurance for hard-to-cure diseases

In November 2023, Jamshid Shayanfar, an official with the Health Insurance Organization of Iran said some 95,000 foreign nationals who hold legal residence permits and are suffering from hard-to-cure diseases receive free health insurance annually.

Their insurance contract will be renewed every year in the month of Esfand – the last Iranian calendar month ending on March 19, Fars quoted Shayanfar as saying.

He added, “The insurance premiums for these people are covered by the High Commissioner for Refugees, and the insurance premiums for about 60,000 citizens are paid to the health insurance organization based on the government budget.”

Shayanfar went on to say that around 800,000 non-vulnerable nationals also have to pay their own insurance premiums; once they pay the insurance premium, they will enjoy health insurance services for a year.

Some 12,000 non-vulnerable nationals have already been covered by health insurance, he concluded.

Insurance services for foreign nationals

Foreign nationals in Iran have citizenship rights and are subject to many protections, and one of the services provided to them is insurance.

In recent years, the number of insured foreign nationals has increased by 15 percent. Most of the insured are nationals of Afghanistan and China.

The long-term protections granted to insured persons include the retirement pension and the work-related disability pension.

Paying compensation for sick days, paying compensation for pregnancy, paying compensation for disability, and paying allowances are among other insurance services.

Foreign nationals who work in Iranian sports clubs as head coaches, trainers, assistant coaches, athletes, players, etc., are subject to compulsory insurance.

Also, foreign journalists in Iran can be covered by social security services without obtaining a work permit by submitting a confirmation from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

According to the law, people who have worked in hard and harmful jobs for at least 20 consecutive years and 25 alternate years can apply for a pension without an age requirement.

Male insured with at least 60 years of age and 10 years of insurance premium payment, or at least 50 years of age and 30 years of insurance premium payment, and female insured with at least 55 years of age and 10 years of insurance premium payment, or at least 45 years of age and 30 years of insurance premium payment can apply for a pension.

Up to 2,188 foreign nationals residing in Iran are currently receiving pensions from social security funds, ISNA reported.

Iran’s care for refugees beyond international responsibilities

An official with the National Organization for Migration has said Iran’s generous and exceptional services for refugees despite unfair economic sanctions have exceeded expectations and international responsibilities.

Behzad Moradipour made the remarks in the meeting of the Almaty Process Experts Group which was held on November 29, 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Representatives from eight states were participating in the event. Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan are currently members of the Almaty process. Iran and Pakistan attended the meeting as observers.

Moradipour, who represented Iran in this meeting, highlighted that the country has been directly affected by the consequences of the massive influx of millions of refugees and foreigners for more than four decades.

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has made a very generous effort to provide services to millions of refugees and foreign nationals despite difficult living conditions and oppressive economic sanctions imposed on the country, he said.

He emphasized the need for providing accurate information and data governance in the management of refugees and immigrants.

During the meeting, the eight officials discussed issues related to immigrants in the host countries, enhancing regional cooperation, and coordinating activities in the field of migration, as well as sharing experiences on managing and improving the quality of data.

UNHCR appreciates Iran for generously hosting refugees

In August 2023, Inna Gladkova, the officer in charge of the UNHCR in Iran, appreciated the country for generously hosting refugees.

She assessed the formation of the National Migration Organization as a positive step in improving the situation of refugees and organizing them, ISNA reported.

She made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran on August 3, with Ruhollah Qaderi, the National Migration Organization’s director for international affairs.

“The share of international organizations is less than one percent of Iran's cost of about 10 billion dollars for hosting refugees, which is very small and should be seriously reviewed,” Qaderi said.

Humanitarian aid should be in line with the needs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the refugees, and priority should be given to supplies and equipment that cannot be accessed due to sanctions, he stressed.

With over 3.4 million refugees and refugee-like populations, Iran has become the second-largest refugee-hosting country globally this year.

In total, Iran hosts some 4.5 million Afghans of varying status – including resident permit holders, undocumented Afghans, and family passport holders – many of whom have been in the country for an extended period and require support to strengthen their resilience.

Iran’s support for refugees is demonstrated through its inclusive policies, which encompass protection, assistance, education, and healthcare, inspiring the global community and positively impacting the lives of refugees.

Gladkova commended Iran for its inclusive refugee policies, particularly in the sectors of education and health.

She stated, “The scale of the global refugee crisis requires greater solidarity and burden sharing. Iran’s exemplary efforts cannot be sustained without continued international support.”

She further called on the international community to increase their support for Iran’s humanitarian efforts, recognizing that no single country can bear the responsibility of hosting refugees alone.

She emphasized that more financial support, technical assistance, and innovative partnerships are essential to ensure the protection, well-being, and successful integration of refugees worldwide.

Despite its own domestic challenges, Iran has extended support to refugee children, allowing them to access education in public schools alongside Iranian children.

Iran’s healthcare system promotes refugee integration by providing them with vital healthcare services, including access to insurance, and vaccinations, enhancing refugee well-being, and benefiting public health in host communities.

Iran’s example showcases the transformative power of inclusive policies, enabling refugees to thrive as valued members of society.

MT/MG