You have likely heard that J1 Visa health insurance is required to enter the United States on a J1 Visa.
Travel health insurance is crucial in preparing for a trip to the United States. Health insurance covering your time in the United States is necessary if you plan to stay for any length. This will help protect the high cost of medical care should you experience an accident or become ill.
Let’s examine J1 Visa health insurance in detail.
The J1 Visa Program
In 1961, the United States government established the J1 Exchange Visitor Program. It aims to strengthen ties between the United States and other countries through education and workforce development exchange programs. To further their education or gain work-related experience, holders of J1 Visas are permitted temporary entry into the United States under this program. The individual returns home with the information and expertise earned in the United States.
J1 visa holders must follow specific guidelines to maintain their status in the United States. That means learning English and getting sponsored by a company, government agency, or educational institution.
The dependents of a J1 Visa holder may be permitted to travel with them to the United States under certain circumstances. The J2 Visa will be awarded to the qualifying family members, including a spouse and unmarried minor children under 21. The dependents of a J1 Visa holder must meet all of the same criteria and go through the same application process as the primary visa applicant.
Who Should Buy J1 Insurance?
All J1 visa applicants are required to have medical insurance. To get a J1 visa, applicants must show proof of health insurance coverage, even though this is not a requirement for other U.S. visas. Some examples are:
- Work and Travel Participants
- Au Pairs
- Dependents of J1 visa holders
- Trainees
- Camp Counselors
- Teachers
- Government visitors
- Secondary School Students
- Interns
- University Students
- International visitors
- Specialists in different areas
- Physicians
- Short-term Scholars
- Professors and Research Scholars
J1 Visa Insurance Plans: Benefits
Get solid health insurance for a j1 visa to ensure you’re covered if something terrible happens while you’re away from home. The all-inclusive policy covers medical costs, emergency charges, and political evacuations.
- Individual Medical Care: You should get health insurance in case of an unexpected illness or injury.
- Care for Mental Health: Get a full-coverage plan to pay for your treatment and counseling sessions.
- Costs associated with returning a deceased person’s body home after a tragic event abroad.
- Interrupted Vacation: Protect yourself financially from unforeseen circumstances like lost luggage, canceled flights, and delays.
- For Political Reasons or Medical Emergency: Plan political and medical evacuation in case of emergency.
J1 Visa Health Insurance Coverage
In the United States, health insurance plans vary according to the policy maximum you select (i.e., how much coverage you want).
J1 health insurance coverage by most companies includes:
- Consultation with a medical professional
- Hospitalization (the cost of the hospital room)
- Pharmaceutical and medical costs
- Surgical procedures
- The Ambulance Service, Emergency Room, etc.
- Medical expenses like lab work and X-rays
- Physical treatment
The following is a partial list of what some health insurance policies cover:
- Dental
- Maternity
- AD&D (accidental death and dismemberment)
- Acute onset of an already diagnosed disease
To what extent you are protected is a function of the insurance policy you select. Student exchanges can evaluate health insurance options in various countries using insurance comparison websites.
Popular Programs for J1 Visa Holders
J1 Visa holders are eligible to enroll in many study abroad programs. Some of the most common types of shows are briefly explained below.
Short-Term Scholar Program
Every year, for up to six months, professors and researchers from around the world lecture and study in colleges and universities in the U.S.
Au Pair Program
This unique program allows foreign nationals between 18 and 26 to obtain a visa to visit and reside in the United States for up to two years. The student on a J1 Visa will live with a host family for their studies at an accredited institution in the area and, in exchange, help with the host family’s children.
Internship
University alums or current college students may want to travel to the United States to immerse themselves in American culture and gain work experience in their chosen field.
Programs for Work and Travel
International students attending a recognized post-secondary institution in the United States full-time may be eligible to work and travel in the country. They could stay throughout the winter, spring, or summer.
Camp Counselor
Persons over 18 with a valid J1 Visa are eligible to work as teachers or camp counselors with American children and teenagers at summer camps in the United States.
Program for High School/Secondary School
High school students from abroad can live with an American host family or attend a boarding school while attending a U.S. Department of Education-approved private or public school in the United States.
Health Insurance for J1 Visa Holders Requirements
Visa holders in the J-1 and J-2 categories must meet specific insurance criteria established by the U.S. Department of State. Exchange students, scholars, and Au Pairs may be subject to additional insurance requirements from their sponsoring organization.
The U.S. government (22 CFR 62.14) has updated its regulations for the J1 health insurance visa, making the following provisions mandatory:
- Guaranteed payment of at least $100,000 for each incident requiring medical attention
- Return of remains costing more than $25,000
- The traveler will be responsible for the $50,000 costs related to their medical evacuation back to their country.
- Each incident of illness or injury is subject to a maximum $500 deductible.
- Intent to be underwritten by an insurance company that possesses
- A grade of “A-” or above from A.M. Best,
- Either an “A-I” or higher rating from Insurance Solvency International Ltd. (ISI),
- The equivalent of an “A-” or higher on Standard & Poor’s Claims Paying Ability scale;
- Or a B+ or above from Weiss Research Inc.
What is a J1 student health insurance visa?
Students from abroad accepted into an approved exchange program at a U.S. college or university can apply for a J1 student visa. Students need the DS-2019 form to apply for a J1 student visa. Details about the program, such as its price and when it begins and ends, can be found on the accompanying form.
A student’s visa status and enrollment programs will determine how long they can study abroad. To give only one example:
- Those in their junior or senior year of high school who have been granted a J1 visa can spend one semester or academic year studying in the United States at an approved public or private high school. They must be between the ages of 15 and 18.5 and have completed at least 11 years of schooling in their home country. The stay is at least one academic semester and is no more than two semesters.
- Students holding J1 visas in U.S. colleges and universities can enroll in degree and non-degree-bearing courses at approved schools. A degree or non-degree from a university is required. Students without degrees are granted 24 months (about two years) in the United States, whereas interns are given 12 months.
- The United States offers temporary work to international students visiting on a J1 visa during the summer. However, they must be full-time students at an accredited institution of higher education outside of the United States. Counselors must be 18 and have experience in their home nation. These courses last for a total of four months.
J1 Student Health Insurance: Why Students Studying Abroad Need a J1 Medical Insurance Plan
Intelligent kids may find studying in a different country a life-changing opportunity. Because of the quality of education available to them in the United States, they can go on to great things in their careers. That can only be done if they can attend schools within their own country. Unfortunately, life-threatening illnesses and injuries don’t often come with a warning. These students can feel confident investing in their health and safety in the United States by purchasing a solid J1 medical care insurance plan.
The best health insurance plans for people who have a J1 visa
Here are the three best j1 healthcare insurance plans:
Patriot Exchange Program Insurance
- Comprehensive Protection
- COVID-19 Protection Includes
- The AM Best A (Excellent) Rating
- Includes coverage for individuals up to age 64
- Within the PPO Network, the insurance carrier pays 100 percent of covered expenses up to the policy maximum after the deductible is met.
- Covers pre-existing conditions only after 12 months of uninterrupted coverage. $500 per year; $ 50,000 lifetime limit
- Includes dental coverage
- Includes coverage for AD&D
- Includes coverage within the United States and abroad
ExchangeGuard Insurance
- Comprehensive Protection
- COVID-19 Protection Includes
- The AM Best A (Excellent) Rating
- Family-oriented
- Includes coverage of pregnancy problems
- Within the PPO Network, the insurance carrier pays 100 percent of covered expenses up to the policy maximum after the deductible is met.
- Covers pre-existing conditions only after 12 months of uninterrupted coverage. $500 per year; $ 50,000 lifetime limit
- Includes coverage within the United States and abroad
Atlas America Insurance
- Comprehensive Protection
- COVID-19 Protection Includes
- The AM Best A (Excellent) Rating
- Protects two categories:
- Up to the age of 69
- Ages 70 to 79: $150,000 maximum coverage
- Within the PPO Network, the insurance carrier pays 100 percent of covered expenses up to the policy maximum after the deductible is met.
- Covers abrupt onset of a pre-existing condition:
- Under 69, the selected medical maximum (excluding chronic and congenital disorders) and $25,000 for Emergency Medical Evacuation are covered.
- Between the ages of 70 and 79, the plan covers up to $100,000.
- Offers dental coverage
- Offers coverage for AD&D
- Includes coverage of terrorism
- Includes coverage within the United States and abroad
- Additional Details Regarding the Acquisition of Atlas America Insurance
How Much Does J Visa Health Insurance Cost?
| Plan Name | Deductible options | Cost/Month |
| ATLAS AMERICA | $0 to $5,000 | $58 |
| PATRIOT EXCHANGE | $0 to $500 | $57 |
| ATLAS PREMIUM | $0 to $5,000 | $116 |
Bottom Line
At NewHealthInsurance, you can quickly and conveniently compare and purchase J1 Visa Insurance plans online without cumbersome paperwork. The right kind of J1 Visa Insurance can shield you from financial loss in an emergency and allow you to see the world without worry.
FAQS
What is J1 Visa Insurance?
Insurance for those with a J1 visa visiting the United States temporarily for an exchange program is available. The insurance policies must meet U.S. Department of State regulations. The insurance covers medical costs, repatriation of remains, political and medical evacuation, sudden onset of pre-existing diseases, trip benefits, and more. Visitors can worry less about funding their studies thanks to the protections offered by insurance policies provided by J1 visa sponsors.
J1 visa holders must acquire insurance that satisfies the U.S. Department of State requirements. The policies pay for treatment for unexpected injuries and illnesses. With one of these policies, you can get coverage for things like COVID-19, acute onset of non-chronic pre-existing conditions, medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, political evacuation, and more. Learn more about the plan’s coverage by reading the booklet.
What is covered by the J1 visa health insurance?
Coverage for COVID-19, sudden onset of non-chronic pre-existing conditions, emergency department visits, medical and political evacuation, repatriation of remains, and other eligible medical expenses are all included in J1 healthcare plans.
Due to the varied nature of insurance policies, all plans will provide different levels of coverage. That’s why reading the policy certificate and picking a plan that works for your vacation is essential.
Why should you pick us for J1 Visa Insurance?
NewHealthInsurance offers comprehensive health insurance for J1 Visa holders to foreign exchange students and teachers. We are dedicated to giving our customers the best service and value.
- Global Association Services: Specialising in J1 health insurance in various international locations.
- All-time Customer Support: Anytime and everywhere, instantaneous customer service and inquiry resolution.
- Reasonable Insurance: Premiums For a worry-free and relaxing stay, we provide the best insurance rates.
- Protecting Families: In the United States, protect the health of your entire family with a single J1 Visa insurance coverage.
- Rapid and Undisturbed Method: Our simple, streamlined, flawless process can help you quickly acquire the ideal insurance policy.