Do You Need Travel Insurance for the United States?

If you're planning on visiting the United States for a short period of time, you won't need travel insurance. However, if you're applying for a visa or planning on staying past 90 days, you may need to purchase travel insurance as part of the requirements for the visa.

Although travel insurance generally isn't required, one of the few downsides of traveling to the United States is the notoriously high cost of healthcare. Your domestic medical insurance won't cover you when you are touring the U.S. If you incur an injury or illness while in the United States, we recommend purchasing travel medical insurance that will cover you from facing debt-inducing medical fees. 

 Should you require emergency medical care during your trip, you’ll be left to pay all of the medical bills out of your own pocket if you don’t have an adequate travel medical insurance policy prior to embarking on your travels.

If you have to travel, here are some Covid safety precautions to take. For the most up-to-date information on Covid restrictions for traveling, please follow CDC guidelines.

Do you know the Covid situation for your destination? Keep up with country-specific advisories and notifications.

When traveling through the United States, it's a good idea to be aware of cultural norms in the regions in which you are traveling. Different states and cities can have very different ways of dressing, speaking and interacting.

Some cities will have areas where it is unsafe to walk after dark, particularly if you are a woman. Be sure to research the area where you are traveling, in order to learn if there are areas to be avoided. It is more common for Americans to carry guns in the Southern states and rural areas. If someone seems particularly hot-headed or upset, it is best not to provoke them in case they have a gun.

Medical expenses in the United States are extremely high compared to other nations. If you are staying for an extended period of time or are over the age of 60, you are at a higher risk of injury and illness. Therefore, having the right coverage is important.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before your trip. Here are some common vaccination recommendations for the United States.

For the most up-to-date information on required vaccinations and other health requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

If you are a U.S. citizen, all you need to enter the country is your passport. If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda visiting the United States for tourism or vacation reasons, you also do not need a visa and only need your passport.

If you are from any other country or planning to work or study while in the United States, then you must enter with a visa and your passport. The type of visa you need may vary depending on what country you come from and what you plan to do while in the U.S. Exchange Visitor Visa J is designed for certain teachers, professors, summer work travelers and other programs, and is the only U.S. visa that requires applicants to secure travel medical insurance for their stay in the United States. However, travel insurance is a good idea for anyone entering the U.S.

For more information on visa and immigration requirements, check out expert visitor and immigration resource, Path2USA.