Coming to the United States on a J visa is an exciting time for individuals who are just starting their exchange visitor programs abroad.
Among the excitement comes the need to ensure that all of your boxes are checked in terms of requirements and needs on a J visa, including health insurance.
The United States is notorious for its expensive healthcare, and without insurance, receiving necessary medical care during your visa stay can take a huge toll financially, which is why J visa holders are required to have health insurance during their approved stay.
Is Health Insurance Required for J1 Visa Holders?
Yes, J1 visa holders and their dependents are required to have adequate health insurance in order to participate in their respective J1 visa programs.
J visa program sponsors must ensure that program exchange visitors have insurance that includes certain minimum coverage and benefits that cover them for sickness or accidents during the time of their exchange visitor program.
Coverage must be in effect throughout the duration of the J visa holder's program period and stay in the United States.
J1 Visa Medical Insurance Requirements
Per the U.S. Department of State website, the J1 visa medical insurance requirements include:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains coverage amounting to $25,000
- Expenses associated with the emergency medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
- A deductible of no more than $500 per accident or illness
J1 visa health insurance policies must also be underwritten by an insurance company that possesses one of the following:
- An A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above
- An Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (IS) rating of "A-1" or above
- A Standard & Poors Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above
- A Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above
Sponsors are to ensure that their J1 visa program participants and their dependents have health insurance that has the above listed J1 visa medical insurance requirements and is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the participant's home country.
Program regulations also discuss coverage through HMOs and self-insurance of the above requirements by federal, state or local government agencies, state colleges and universities, and public community colleges, if permitted by law.
Is Health Insurance Required for J2 Visa Holders?
Yes, similarly to J1 visa holders, any dependents or spouses coming to the United States on a J2 visa accompanying a J1 visa holder are required to have health insurance during their stay.
J2 Visa Insurance Requirements
Dependents and spouses of J1 visa holders accompanying them to the U.S. during their J1 visa program are subject to the same j visa health insurance requirements outlined above.
Individual sponsorship programs may have other specific insurance requirements, so be sure to check with your sponsor before purchasing a plan.
Get J Visa Medical Insurance Through VisitorsCoverage
Here at VisitorsCoverage, we offer a variety of J visa medical insurance plans that can help satisfy your visa’s insurance requirements.
For a list of plans that satisfy these requirements, visit our J1 visa health insurance plans page or contact our Customer Success Team for assistance.
