Kazakhstan: Access to HIV treatment in Kazakhstan for citizens and foreigner

In Kazakhstan, HIV treatment is officially free, the state provides patients with antiretroviral therapy (ART). But in practice, access to treatment depends on a person’s status: whether he has citizenship or a residence permit. Kursiv Lifestyle figured out how everything works and what to do in different situations.

How can citizens of Kazakhstan get ART:

First you take an HIV test. If the result is positive, you will be referred to an infectious disease specialist or a specialist of the center:
Next, you need to contact the AIDS center and report your result. The doctor conducts additional examinations and offers to register;
Registration is issued and you officially become a patient of the center;
After that, the doctor selects a treatment regimen. Antiretroviral drugs are given free of charge through the center, and the patient begins regular therapy.

Where to get tested for HIV for free and anonymously? You can take the test free of charge at the polyclinic by attachment or at the AIDS Center. Private medical centers also provide this service, but for a fee.

If complete anonymity is important, it is better to go to the AIDS Center or a private laboratory. In case of anonymous contact, no documents are required, you will be assigned a number known only to you.

Another anonymous way is to order a free express home test through the website hivtest.kz. This can be done today in 5 cities: Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Pavlodar.

Testing is included in the guaranteed amount of free medical care. This means that it can be passed even without registration or documents.

Where to register? To get therapy, you need to register at the AIDS center, they are in every major city. It is through this system that drugs are prescribed and issued.

This usually happens in the same institutions where testing is carried out – regional centers and polyclinics.

You can find out the address of the AIDS center in your city on the website of the Kazakh Scientific Center of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases.

What should I do if I don’t register in the system? The lack of registration complicates the process, but does not make it impossible. In any case, you can take the test for free and anonymously. Problems begin at the registration stage, as the system usually requires IIN or attachment to a polyclinic.

There are options: temporary attachment to the polyclinic or registration through the AIDS center itself. If there are refusals, it is recommended to apply again or to another center – decisions are often made individually.

What should foreigners do

The situation depends on the status of stay in the country. Foreigners with a residence permit (residence permit) have the same rights as citizens of Kazakhstan. They can get tested, register and receive therapy for free.

If there is no residence permit? If a person is in the country temporarily (under the RWP), he is entitled to free tests and consultations, but free ART is not guaranteed by law. But there is international donor funding and NGOs through which some people receive therapy or emergency support.

Then the person needs to contact the nearest AIDS Center as soon as possible and clarify whether it is possible to get into the donor program. The main source of such assistance is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. As of December 9, 2025, 225 people living with HIV in Kazakhstan received ART at the expense of a Global Fund grant.

For help, you can contact NGOs and patient organizations. Community Friends work with HIV migrants in Almaty. They give pre-exposure therapy, put citizens from Central Asia on the remote registration, help and accompany to the AIDS center, where you can get treatment for foreign citizens, advise on adherence to ART, legal and social issues. In emergency cases, you can get a supply of ART for 1-2 months through them. For example, if a person is “stuck” in another country and cannot leave.

We managed to contact Oksana Ibragimova, a senior case manager of the Community friends. She confirmed the information about grants for ART and told about the program for citizens of neighboring countries.

“At the moment, non-citizens of Kazakhstan can apply to any AIDS center and receive therapy on a grant from the Global Fund. In addition, now we have a program for citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan: they can send their tests to their homeland, they will be registered there and send medicines to Kazakhstan. Thus, the treatment is carried out at the expense of their native country,” says Ibragimova.

For HIV-positive travelers and migrants, Oksana recommended the website vputi.org, where you can find out information about the laws of different countries regarding HIV and access to therapy.

If a person has been denied treatment, there is a risk of interruption of therapy or problems with tests, you can leave an appeal on the Pereboi platform – you will need to fill out a small form on the website to contact the consultant, there are no contact numbers. You can also contact the Kazakhstan Union of People Living with HIV for advice and routing – the contact number and mail are in the “contacts” section of the website itself.

Important clarification: HIV status does not restrict entry into the country and does not prevent obtaining a residence permit, it was excluded from the list of diseases with which it is impossible to enter the country back in 2011.

Где гражданам и иностранцам с ВИЧ получить терапию в Казахстане

В Казахстане лечение ВИЧ официально бесплатное, государство обеспечивает пациентов антиретровирусной терапией (АРТ). Но на практике доступ к лечению зависит от статуса человека: есть ли гражданство или вид на жительство. Kursiv Lifestyle разобрался, как все устроено и что делать в разных ситуациях.

Как гражданам Казахстана получить АРТ:

Сначала вы проходите тест на ВИЧ. Если результат положительный, вас направляют к инфекционисту или специалисту центра:
Далее нужно обратиться в СПИД-центр и сообщить о своем результате. Врач проводит дополнительные обследования и предлагает встать на учет;
Оформляется постановка на учет и вы официально становитесь пациентом центра;
После этого врач подбирает схему лечения. Антиретровирусные препараты выдают бесплатно через центр, и пациент начинает регулярную терапию.

Где пройти тест на ВИЧ бесплатно и анонимно? Сдать тест можно бесплатно в поликлинике по прикреплению или в СПИД-Центре. Частные медицинские центры тоже оказывают эту услугу, но платно.

Если важна полная анонимность, то лучше пойти в СПИД-Центр или частную лабораторию. При анонимном обращении документы не требуются, вам присвоят номер, известный только вам.

Еще один анонимный способ — заказать бесплатный экспресс-тест на дом через сайтhivtest.kz. Сделать это можно на сегодня в 5 городах: Алматы, Астана, Караганда, Усть-Каменогорск и Павлодар.

Тестирование входит в гарантированный объем бесплатной медицинской помощи. Это означает, что его можно пройти даже без регистрации или документов.

Где встать на учет? Чтобы получить терапию, нужно встать на учет в СПИД-центре, они есть в каждом крупном городе. Именно через эту систему назначают и выдают препараты.

Обычно это происходит в тех же учреждениях, где проводится тестирование — региональных центрах и поликлиниках.

Узнать адрес центра СПИД в вашем городе можно на сайте Казахского научного центра дерматологии и инфекционных заболеваний.

Что делать, если нет регистрации в системе? Отсутствие регистрации усложняет процесс, но не делает его невозможным. Пройти тест можно в любом случае бесплатно и анонимно. Проблемы начинаются на этапе постановки на учет, так как система обычно требует ИИН или прикрепление к поликлинике.

Возможны варианты: временное прикрепление к поликлинике или оформление через сам СПИД-центр. Если возникают отказы, рекомендуется обращаться повторно или в другой центр — решения часто принимаются индивидуально.

Что делать иностранцам

Ситуация зависит от статуса пребывания в стране. Иностранцы с видом на жительство (ВНЖ) имеют те же права, что и граждане Казахстана. Они могут пройти тестирование, встать на учет и получать терапию бесплатно.

Если ВНЖ нет? Если человек находится в стране временно (по РВП), ему полагаются бесплатные тесты и консультации, но бесплатная АРТ не гарантирована законом. Но есть международное донорское финансирование и НПО, через которые часть людей получает терапию или экстренную поддержку.

Тогда человеку нужно как можно быстрее обратиться в ближайший Центр СПИД и уточнить, можно ли попасть в донорскую программу. Главный источник такой помощи — Глобальный фонд борьбы со СПИДом, туберкулезом и малярией. На 9 декабря 2025 года 225 людей, живущих с ВИЧ в Казахстане получали АРТ за счет средств гранта Глобального фонда.

За помощью можно обращаться в НПО и пациентские организации. В Алматы с мигрантами с ВИЧ работает Community Friends. Они дают доконтактную терапию, ставят на дистанционный учет граждан из Центральной Азии, помогают и сопровождаем в центр СПИД, где можно получить лечение для иностранных граждан консультируют по приверженности к АРТ, по правовым и социальным вопросам. В экстренных случаях через них можно получить запас АРТ на 1–2 месяца. Например, если человек «застрял» в другой стране и не может выехать.

Нам удалось связаться с Оксаной Ибрагимовой — старшим кейс менеджером ОФ Community friends. Она подтвердила информацию о грантах на АРТ и рассказала о программе для граждан соседних стран.

«На данный момент неграждане Казахстана могут обратиться в любой СПИД-центр, и по гранту Глобального фонда получить терапию. Кроме того, сейчас у нас действует программа для граждан Узбекистана, Таджикистана и Кыргызстана: они могут выслать свои анализы на Родину, там их поставят на учет и отправят лекарства уже в Казахстан. Таким образом лечение осуществляется за счет их родной страны», — говорит Ибрагимова.

Для ВИЧ-положительных путешественников и мигрантов Оксана порекомендовала сайт vputi.org, где можно узнать информацию о законах разных стран касательно ВИЧ и доступа к терапии.

Если человеку отказали в лечении, есть риск перерыва терапии или проблемы с анализами, можно оставить обращение на платформе Pereboi — нужно будет заполнить небольшую форму на сайте, чтобы связаться с консультантом, контактных номеров нет. Также за консультацией и маршрутизацией можно обращаться в Казахстанский союз людей, живущих с ВИЧ — контактный номер и почта есть в разделе «контакты» на самом сайте.

Важное уточнение: ВИЧ-статус не ограничивает въезд в страну и не мешает получить вид на жительство, его исключили из перечня заболеваний, с которыми нельзя въезжать в страну, еще в 2011.

Philippines challenges Oman’s HIV test requirement for Filipino travellers

DFA, Omani Embassy to meet on mandatory HIV test for Filipino travelers

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Omani Embassy in Manila are meeting next week on a requirement for all Filipino travelers to the sultanate to present negative HIV tests.

The DFA on Friday said it has “made strong representations” to the embassy for the removal of the policy, which is being implemented without official notice to the Philippines.

It also said that the Sultanate of Oman is “seriously” reviewing the requirement.

The DFA said the embassy had clarified that the HIV certificate “applies only to tourists availing of the visa-free entry to Oman, and not to those who were issued work visas.”

Filipino tourists bound for Oman who had applied for and were granted visas have also been required at airline check-in to submit HIV certificates before being allowed to board their flights.

The Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman’s capital, said earlier in the week that it had received reports of the new requirement and of Filipino passengers not being allowed to board their flights.

The embassy also said Omani authorities had not sent official notice of the new policy.

“The DFA expects a positive outcome given the good and strong relationship between the Philippines and Oman,” the department said Friday.

Oman: Reported new HIV test requirement for Filipinos traveling to Oman

No HIV test, no check-in: Filipino tourists turned away from Oman-bound flights

Filipino nationals traveling to the Sultanate of Oman are now reportedly required to present a certificate of HIV test before departure — a development that has caught many travelers off guard and has yet to be officially confirmed by Philippine authorities.

Multiple accounts from Filipino travelers have emerged in recent weeks, with at least one individual claiming to have been denied boarding on a flight from Thailand to Oman on March 20 after failing to produce an HIV test certificate. The traveler, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was traveling on a 14-day tourist visa and had not been informed of the requirement beforehand.

“I was denied boarding for not having an HIV test,” the traveler recounted. “I told them I was not informed that it was required since I’m only a 14-day free visa traveler, not for work, but they refused to board me.”

The traveler also noted an inconsistency at the gate: a fellow Filipino passenger was initially refused boarding but was later allowed through. He said airline ground staff, when asked where the directive came from, told him it originated from the airline’s head office.

Social media accounts pile up

The traveler’s account was shared on a Facebook page based in Oman, catering to the Filipino community, and the post quickly drew responses from followers who reported the same experience. One commenter, who said she had personally verified the requirement with an immigration officer at Oman’s airport, confirmed that the HIV certificate is checked upon arrival alongside the passport and visa — and is being required specifically of Filipino tourists and visitors, not of those who already hold Omani residency or labor cards.

“Except sa Oman resident or may Labor card yung mga galing bakasyon pabalik dito sa Oman. Di kayo hahanapan,” the commenter wrote, explaining that returning residents are exempt. She added that her sister had been held at an Oman Air check-in counter in the Philippines over the same requirement, with the family told the rule had only been implemented the previous month.

Another follower corroborated the account, saying a fellow Filipino she spoke with — who had traveled to Oman on a 14-day visa-free entry from the Philippines — confirmed the HIV test was now required. A third commenter was more specific on the scope: “New rules, no HIV test for all those applying for tourist visas, family visit visas. Those are not airline rules, they are as per government rules.”

The emerging picture from these accounts is that the requirement is being enforced at the airline check-in level — specifically by carriers operating flights to Oman — and applies to Filipino nationals traveling on tourist or visit visas. Filipino residents of Oman returning from vacation appear to be exempt.

What the documents show

A circular bearing the logo of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the Sultanate of Oman describes the requirement as an “Explanatory Annex to Circular Regarding Entry Facilities for Nationals of the Philippines.” It specifies that the pre-arrival medical examination focuses on HIV/AIDS testing, that the certificate is accepted from any officially accredited clinic or medical center in the country where the examination is conducted, and that the requirement applies to all Philippine nationals regardless of departure point — including those residing in GCC countries. Children are exempt.

A screenshot of what appears to be Oman Air’s internal airline operations system — displaying a travel information warning screen — also shows the same requirement posted as an active directive to check-in staff: “NATIONALS OF PHILIPPINES MUST OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF HIV TEST BEFORE DEPARTURE. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO CHILDREN.”

OWWA Oman confirms, but details remain thin

When a concerned Filipino reached out to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Oman via messaging to ask whether the HIV certificate was also required for tourists, an OWWA representative replied in the affirmative. “Yes that’s a new requirement for airlines,” the OWWA representative said. When pressed on the age threshold, the representative confirmed the requirement applies to those 18 years old and above, adding that local clinics were already aware of the process.

OWWA’s response, however, described the requirement as one being enforced by the airlines — consistent with what community members on the ground have observed — rather than framing it as a standalone Omani government directive formally communicated to Manila.

Philippine Embassy silent; travel agency unaware

As of this writing, the Philippine Embassy in Oman has not issued any advisory regarding the HIV testing requirement. The Global Filipino Magazine has reached out to the Embassy for an official statement and is awaiting a response.

TGFM also reached out to a Dubai-based travel agency, whose representative said they had not received any directive from the Omani government on the matter. The agency also noted that a UAE tourist visa holder who had recently transited through Oman to change visa status did not encounter the requirement — raising questions about whether enforcement is consistent across all entry points and traveler categories.

An awkward timing

The development comes at an ironic moment. Oman announced late last year that it would grant Filipino nationals visa-free entry for up to 14 days starting 2026 — a move hailed as a boost to bilateral ties and tourism. By early January 2026, the Omani Foreign Ministry’s entry visas page had been updated to include the Philippines among visa-exempt nationalities. The HIV testing requirement, if enforced as described, effectively layers a new medical prerequisite on top of what was intended to be a more open-door policy for Filipino visitors.

The timing also intersects with the Philippines’ worsening HIV epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, about 252,800 Filipinos are living with HIV in 2025, with an estimated 57 new diagnoses recorded daily — a staggering 550% increase in cases since 2010.

What travelers should know for now

Until an official advisory is issued by the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs, or the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, the situation remains unconfirmed at the government-to-government level. Based on available accounts, Filipino nationals traveling to Oman on tourist or visit visas — regardless of departure point — are advised to secure an HIV test certificate from an accredited clinic or medical center before flying, as airlines appear to be enforcing the requirement at check-in.

Returning Filipino residents of Oman holding valid residency or labor cards appear to be exempt from the requirement.

The Global Filipino Magazine continues to seek comment from the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, the Department of Migrant Workers, and Oman Air. This is a developing story.

Russia: Tougher health reporting rules for clinics and migrants advance in Russia

Translated with AI – Scroll down for article in Russian

Medical control is being tightened in Russia: migrants are waiting for tests, fines and a criminal charge for fake certificates

The State Duma Committee approved a bill that significantly tightens medical examinations for foreign citizens, writes the telegram channel Ostashko! Important.

According to the new rules, all foreigners arriving in Russia for more than 90 days must be tested for HIV and drugs within 30 days after entry, and then annually.

Previously, the terms of examinations for different categories of visitors could vary and reach 90 days. Now the violation of these requirements threatens with a fine of 25 to 50 thousand rubles, and in case of non-repayment of the amount – its doubling and mandatory expulsion by court decision.

Separately, the law introduces liability for forged medical certificates. Violators may face criminal punishment of up to 4 years in prison.

The rules for medical organizations are also changing. Now clinics are obliged to inform the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Rospotrebnadzor about the identified dangerous diseases among foreigners. Violation of the examination procedure may result in a fine of up to 1 million rubles or suspension of activities for up to 90 days. If violations are recorded in several migrants, fines will be charged for each.

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В России ужесточают медконтроль: мигрантов ждут тесты, штрафы и уголовка за поддельные справки

Комитет Госдумы одобрил законопроект, который существенно ужесточает медицинские проверки для иностранных граждан, пишет телеграм-канал Осташко! Важное.

Согласно новым правилам, все иностранцы, прибывающие в Россию на срок более 90 дней, должны в течение 30 дней после въезда пройти тестирование на ВИЧ и наркотики, а затем — ежегодно.

Ранее сроки прохождения обследований у разных категорий приезжих могли различаться и достигать 90 дней. Теперь нарушение этих требований грозит штрафом от 25 до 50 тысяч рублей, а при непогашении суммы — её удвоением и обязательным выдворением по решению суда.

Отдельно закон вводит ответственность за поддельные медицинские справки. Нарушителям может грозить уголовное наказание до 4 лет лишения свободы.

Также изменяются правила для медицинских организаций. Теперь клиники обязаны информировать МВД и Роспотребнадзор о выявленных опасных заболеваниях у иностранцев. Нарушение порядка освидетельствования может обернуться штрафом до 1 миллиона рублей или приостановкой деятельности на срок до 90 суток. Если нарушения зафиксированы у нескольких мигрантов, штрафы будут начисляться за каждого.

Russia: Migrants to undergo medical examination within 30 days of entry under proposed bill

A bill on combating illegal migration and protecting the health of citizens has been submitted to the State Duma. This was announced on her VKontakte page by Irina Yarovaya, Deputy Speaker of the lower house of parliament.

The bill proposes amendments to the law ‘On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation.’ Under current regulations, migrants must undergo a medical examination within 90 days of entering Russia. If the bill is passed, foreigners will undergo a medical examination within 30 days of entry. The authors of the initiative also propose to oblige those who have arrived in the country for more than 30 days to undergo a medical examination annually.

Foreigners will be tested for dangerous infectious diseases and HIV, as well as for drug use. Medical organisations will forward information about diseases among new arrivals to Rospotrebnadzor and the Ministry of Internal Affairs ‘for prompt deportation.’

Migrants who evade medical examinations may also be deported from Russia. The amendments also propose increasing fines for migrants who evade medical examinations by more than 12 times, to 25,000-50,000 roubles, with the possibility of deportation at the discretion of the court.

Earlier, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin reported that administrative liability is expected to be introduced for foreign citizens who evade medical examinations.

In addition, according to the speaker of the lower house, it is expected to ‘establish increased criminal liability for the forgery of official documents certifying the absence of diseases that pose a danger to others, and their circulation.’

At the end of 2024, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree requiring illegal migrants in Russia to regularise their status or leave the country by 30 April 2025.

Among the requirements for illegal migrants who want to remain in Russia were the submission of biometric data and medical examinations for drugs, infectious diseases and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

In addition, migrants are required to pass a test on their knowledge of the Russian language, history and laws, as well as to pay off any outstanding debts. The decree states that those who have signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence for military service will not be deported. Previous decisions on deportation, readmission, refusal of entry into Russia, undesirability of stay and reduction of the period of temporary stay in the country will not be enforced in their regard. This provision does not apply to foreigners who pose a threat to Russia’s national security.

In February last year, a public register of illegal migrants was launched in Russia. In addition, a new procedure for their expulsion from the country came into force.

Мигрантам предложили сократить срок прохождения медобследования

Законопроект о противодействии нелегальной миграции и защите здоровья граждан внесен в Государственную думу. Об этом сообщила на своей странице во «ВКонтакте» вице-спикер нижней палаты парламента Ирина Яровая.

Проектом предлагается внести поправки в закон «О правовом положении иностранных граждан в Российской Федерации». По действующим нормам, после въезда в Россию мигранты должны пройти медобследование в течение 90 дней. Если документ примут, иностранцы будут проходить медицинское освидетельствование в течение 30 дней с момента въезда. Авторы инициативы предлагают также обязать тех, кто приехал в страну более чем на 30 дней, проходить медосвидетельствование ежегодно.

Иностранцев будут проверять на наличие опасных инфекционных заболеваний и ВИЧ, а также на употребление наркотических веществ. Медицинские организации станут передавать информацию о болезнях у приезжих в Роспотребнадзор и МВД «для оперативной высылки».

За уклонение от медобследования мигранта могут также выслать из России. Поправками в том числе предлагаетсяповысить штрафы за уклонение мигрантов от медосвидетельствования более чем в 12 раз, до 25–50 тыс. руб., с возможностью выдворения на усмотрение суда.

Ранее председатель Госдумы Вячеслав Володин сообщал, что предполагается ввести административную ответственность за уклонение иностранных граждан от медосвидетельствования.

Кроме того, по словам спикера нижней палаты, предполагается «установить повышенную уголовную ответственность за подделку официальных документов об отсутствии заболеваний, представляющих опасность для окружающих, и их оборот».

В конце 2024 года президент Владимир Путин подписал указ, по которому находящиеся в России нелегальные мигранты обязаны урегулировать свой статус или покинуть территорию страны до 30 апреля 2025-го.

Среди требований к тем нелегальным мигрантам, кто хочет остаться на территории России, были указаны сдача биометрических данных и прохождение медицинского освидетельствования на наркотики, наличие инфекционных заболеваний и вируса иммунодефицита человека (ВИЧ).

Мигранты помимо этого обязаны сдать тест на знание русского языка, истории и законов России, а также погасить имеющиеся задолженности. В указе говорится, что тех, кто заключил контракт с Минобороны на прохождение военной службы, не будут депортировать. В отношении них не будут исполнены принятые ранее решения о депортации, реадмиссии, неразрешении въезда в Россию, нежелательности пребывания и сокращении сроков временного пребывания в стране. Это положение не применяется к иностранцам, которые создают угрозу для национальной безопасности России.

В феврале прошлого года в России заработал публичный реестр нелегальных мигрантов. Кроме того, вступил в силу новый порядок их высылки из страны.

Russia: From March 2026, migrants will be required to undergo screening for hepatitis

New medical requirements are being established in Russia for foreign citizens planning to engage in labor activity. The Ministry of Health of Russia announced that starting from March 1, 2026, migrants will be required to undergo screening for acute hepatitis, as well as chronic viral hepatitis types B and C.

According to the newspaper Vedomosti, this requirement will apply to all foreign citizens entering the territory of Russia for employment, as well as to stateless persons, asylum seekers, and those applying for temporary refuge in the country.

The draft amendments to the procedure for conducting medical examinations have already been posted on the federal portal of regulatory legal acts. The explanatory note states that these changes are necessary “to improve the organizational foundations and the procedure for conducting medical examinations.”

According to the new regulation, every migrant who wishes to obtain a work permit, temporary residence permit, or permanent residence permit in Russia will have to provide a medical certificate. This rule is based on the law governing the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.

At present, migrants are mainly tested for the presence of narcotic substances and diseases that pose a danger to others, including HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis, and leprosy. The new requirements provide for broader health monitoring.

According to officials, these measures are aimed not only at protecting public health but also at expanding opportunities for early detection and treatment of illnesses among migrants. In addition, they are intended to ensure medical safety in the labor market and to create a healthier environment.

Given that migration processes in Russia have become more active in recent years and the number of labor migrants continues to grow, the new procedure is viewed not only as a preventive measure but also as part of state policy focused on strengthening public health.

Thus, starting from 2026, every person arriving in Russia in search of work will be required to provide detailed medical information — through this, the state aims to make the labor environment more controlled and safer.

Canada: HIV Legal Network seeks to rejoin a constitutional challenge against immigration law

Returning to Federal Court in constitutional challenge of Canada’s “Excessive Demand” Regime

On September 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., the Federal Court will hear the HIV Legal Network’s motion to rejoin a constitutional challenge to Canada’s “excessive demand” regime in immigration law. This hearing is a critical moment in the fight to ensure that Canada’s immigration laws respect the Charter and protect the rights of people living with HIV.

This case arises from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s decision to deny a work permit to an applicant based on his HIV status, citing s. 38(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This provision bars entry or stay in Canada for people whose health needs are expected to create an “excessive demand” on public healthcare services.

The HIV Legal Network has fought against this discriminatory regime since its introduction in 2001, highlighting how it stigmatizes people living with HIV and excludes them from equal access to immigration pathways. At this hearing, the Legal Network – supported by Downtown Legal Services – will argue that it should be granted public interest standing because of its deep expertise, long record of advocacy, and unique ability to bring forward the voices and evidence of people most affected by this law.

Details

Hearing: September 18, 2025, 9:30 a.m. (Federal Court)
Case #: IMM-12720-23
Observation: Members of the public and media can register to observe virtually via the Federal Court website (https://www.fct-cf.ca/en/court-files-and-decisions/hearing-lists). We recommend registering at least 24 hours prior to the hearing to ensure you receive a link.

Uzbekistan adopts law denying work permits to foreigners diagnosed with HIV or TB

Translated with Google translate. For original article in Uzbek, please scroll down.

Foreigners with HIV and tuberculosis will be banned from working in Uzbekistan

The Senate of Uzbekistan has approved a law according to which foreign citizens diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis will not be able to obtain a work permit in the country.

The explanatory note to the law notes that the number of citizens returning from abroad has increased. In 2024, out of 1.7 million who returned, only 25% underwent voluntary testing for HIV – the infection was detected in 1,512 people, writes Fergana.

Since the statistics only cover those who were voluntarily tested, it remains unclear how widespread infectious diseases are among those who did not take tests.

In this regard, mandatory medical examination for HIV is being introduced for citizens of Uzbekistan aged 18 to 60 years who have been abroad for more than 90 days, as well as for foreigners and stateless persons permanently residing or coming to the country for the purpose of employment.

For citizens of Uzbekistan and stateless persons permanently residing in the republic, the examination will be free of charge — at the expense of the state budget. But labor migrants and foreigners will have to pay for it themselves or at the expense of the employer.

In case of detection of HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, foreign citizens will be officially denied the right to employment.

The law also stipulates that private employment agencies must train citizens traveling abroad in the rules of stay in the countries of employment.

The document will come into force after it is signed by the President of Uzbekistan.

Иностранцам с ВИЧ и туберкулёзом запретят работать в Узбекистане

Сенат Узбекистана одобрил закон, согласно которому иностранные граждане, у которых выявлены ВИЧ/СПИД или туберкулез, не смогут получить разрешение на трудовую деятельность в республике.

В пояснении к закону отмечается, что число граждан, возвращающихся из-за рубежа, увеличилось. В 2024 году из 1,7 млн вернувшихся лишь 25% прошли добровольное тестирование на ВИЧ — инфекция была выявлена у 1512 человек, пишет Фергана.

Так как статистика охватывает только добровольно обследованных, остается неясным, насколько широко распространены инфекционные заболевания среди тех, кто не сдавал анализы.

В связи с этим вводится обязательное медицинское обследование на ВИЧ для граждан Узбекистана в возрасте от 18 до 60 лет, которые находились за границей более 90 дней, а также для иностранцев и лиц без гражданства, постоянно проживающих или приезжающих в страну с целью трудоустройства.

Для граждан Узбекистана и лиц без гражданства, постоянно проживающих в республике, обследование будет бесплатным — за счет госбюджета. А вот трудовым мигрантам и иностранцам придется оплачивать его самостоятельно, либо за счет работодателя.

В случае выявления ВИЧ/СПИДа или туберкулеза, иностранным гражданам будет официально отказано в праве на трудоустройство.

Также законом предусмотрено, что частные агентства занятости должны обучать выезжающих за границу граждан правилам пребывания в странах трудоустройства.

Документ вступит в силу после его подписания президентом Узбекистана.

Global study reveals 50 countries still enforce HIV-related travel restrictions

A new global study presented this week at the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science in Kigali (IAS 2025) has revealed that 50 countries around the world continue to enforce HIV-related travel and residence restrictions, in clear violation of international human rights principles.

The data, shared by the HIV Justice Network through its new platform Positive Destinations, highlights the persistence of discriminatory laws and policies that prevent people living with HIV from freely travelling, working, studying, or settling in many parts of the world.

Despite progress – 83 countries now have no HIV-specific travel restrictions, and many others have adopted more inclusive approaches – 17 countries still impose severe measures such as outright entry bans, mandatory testing, and deportation. These include Bhutan, Brunei, Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. Migrants and students are often disproportionately affected, with some unaware of the rules until after testing or disclosure, resulting in forced returns, loss of income, and separation from families.

Another 33 countries – including Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore – have partial restrictions. These include requirements for HIV testing in visa applications, discretionary decisions based on perceived healthcare costs, and reduced access to essential services. Although these policies may appear neutral on the surface, they continue to disadvantage people living with HIV.

“These restrictions are rooted in outdated public health thinking and perpetuate stigma,” said Edwin J Bernard, HIV Justice Network’s Executive Director. “They obstruct access to healthcare, education, and family life, especially for migrants and refugees.”

Click on the image to download the poster

In 2024, Positive Destinations documented several cases of deportation based solely on HIV status: Kuwait deported over 100 people, Russia’s Dagestan region deported nine, and Libya deported two. Such practices are increasingly being challenged by legal action. In Canada, for example, a court case led by the HIV Legal Network contests the “excessive demand” clause of immigration law, arguing it violates the country’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

However, policy reform has been uneven. Australia raised its health cost threshold for visa eligibility, slightly easing access to temporary stays, but permanent residency remains elusive for many people with HIV. A recent case saw an Italian teacher denied residency due solely to his HIV-positive status.

The study also underscores how HIV-related migration barriers often intersect with other forms of criminalisation and discrimination. In Uzbekistan and Russia, HIV criminalisation laws are paired with mandatory HIV testing for migrants. In the U.S., HIV-positive and LGBTQ+ asylum seekers continue to face mistreatment in detention centres. And in a tragic case in Turkey, a Syrian trans woman was reportedly deported after her HIV status was disclosed and later killed upon return.

The authors of the study call for urgent action: “Eliminating these harmful policies is essential to ending AIDS, achieving universal health coverage, and upholding the dignity and rights of people living with HIV everywhere,” said Bernard.

Positive Destinations, which hosts the updated Global Database on HIV-Specific Travel and Residence Restrictions, is available at www.positivedestinations.info

EP0623 Addressing HIV-related travel restrictions: Progress and challenges in eliminating discriminatory policies by Edwin J Bernard, Sylvie Beaumont, Elliot Hatt, and Sofía Várguez was presented at IAS2025 by Brent Allan at the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science, Kigali, Rwanda.

Russia: Migrants could face mandatory health checks under Russian draft law

Russian lawmakers propose mandatory health clearance for migrants entering the country

Deputies have proposed introducing a mandatory requirement for migrants entering the Russian Federation to present a certificate proving they are free of infectious diseases, Yaroslav Nilov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy, and Veterans’ Affairs, said in a post on Telegram, APA reports citing TASS.

“Foreigners coming to Russia to earn money should not bring their problems with them — they should help solve ours,” he noted.

Nilov added that a corresponding draft law has been submitted to the State Duma for consideration.

The politician stated that migrants crossing the border will be required to present valid medical insurance and certificates proving they are not infected with HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, or tuberculosis.

They will also have to provide test results confirming they are free of narcotic and psychotropic substances. Without these documents, they will not be allowed to cross the Russian border, he added.

Details

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