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Beginning last November, the United Kingdom announced a series of new rules and regulations that would change how student visas were issued. This change in the visa process was brought about when more and more people were coming to the UK under a student visa and, instead of returning to their home country, they brought their family and settled down.
According to Home Secretary Alan Johnson, 30% of migrants living in the United Kingdom came originally under a student visas. Many individuals did not just come to the United Kingdom as degree seeking students, but instead came on a short-term program with the intention of finding employment and relocating – and many “students” did this successfully. In order to curtail this trend, the British government decided to tighten the visa process to make it more difficult for students to stay in the United Kingdom after their studies.
Now, the United Kingdom has implemented a new Tier 4 student visa process that is based on a point system. You get points based on your age, qualification, experience, English language skills, previous earning, and funding. In order to keep your visa, you will need to continue to obtain enough points to maintain your status.
The biggest controversy in this situation is called Tier 1. Currently, a Tier 1 visa allows graduates with a bachelor degree or higher to work up to two years once their degree is completed. In April 2011, this “Tier 1″ option may be removed forcing students to leave the country immediately after graduation. With 38,000 Tier 1 Visas in 2009, many British universities and colleges are worried that this is going to effect their overseas enrollment.
These visa changes are critically important and can impact the trends of international students. Currently, the United Kingdom is the second largest host of international students, right after the United States. If the United Kingdom restricts their visas and post-education experience, some experts predict that many international students studying in the United Kingdom will go elsewhere.
The shamrock, the leprechaun, the world famous Guinness beer and just about everything green green and green! Not every country around the world has such recognizable images associated with it. Cliché or not, Ireland attracts many visitors each year as well as it should, many of which are international students.
In addition to the all the great places to visit and wonderful culture, Ireland has a dynamic atmosphere and world class education. Ireland has a young population, with well over 4.5 million people in a country slightly larger than the state of West Virginia; 35% of the population is under 25 years old. The University College Dublin’s MBA program has also been ranked 31th out of 100 of the world’s top MBA programs by the Economist Magazine for 2010.
While students from the European Union countries are eligible for free hospital services in Ireland, non-EU students are not covered for any free medical service and are required to show proof of medical insurance when going to register and apply for a student visa to study in Ireland.
Starting January 2011, all non EU/EAA newly arrive first year students in Ireland may purchase a private insurance policy as long as it meets these requirements:
The insurance covers the student for one full year or where the student is staying in Ireland for less than one year for the entirety of their stay;
The insurance coverage covers the student at a minimum of €25,000 for Accident and €25,000 for Disease;
The insurance coverage covers the student for any period of hospitalization.
Dating back to the 1960’s, US citizens have been restricted from traveling to Cuba due to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. Since the US President, Barak Obama took office, he promised that these restrictions would be reduced. Many educational programs and tourism agencies were preparing themselves strategically in hopes that they would be ready when these restrictions were lifted.
On January 14, 2011, this moment had finally come. The White House issued a press release officially announcing that educational travel would be allowed under what they dubbed “purposeful travel”. The press release further explained that the current legislation has been modified to allow licensed academic exchanges to permit students to travel to Cuba as long as students received credit toward their undergraduate and graduate degree. Additional modification was granted allowing academic institutions to sponsor and co-sponsor seminars, conferences, and workshops in Cuba and specifically announced that all those affiliated with an institution – student, faculty, staff – would be able to attend.
If you plan on studying or traveling to Cuba, you will most likely need an insurance plan. As you do research, you will notice that many US-based insurance companies have restrictions on coverage in Cuba. It is important to verify with you carrier about the coverage area as you may find that Cuba is an exception.
According to the US State Department, no medical facility in Cuba will accept U.S.-issued insurance cards, credit cards, or checks and that medical services must be paid for in cash. If you go to the doctor or hospital with a US policy, be prepared to pay out of pocket and then you will be able to submit receipts and bills for reimbursement.
We here at International Student Insurance work with students traveling all around the world, including in Cuba. If you are one of these students, faculty or staff looking for international travel insurance in Cuba, we recommend contacting our licensed agents that can further assist you.
Going abroad to Mexico is a unique opportunity – whether you will be learning Spanish, doing a study abroad trip, or vacationing. Although Mexico has public health care available to its citizens/permanent residence through the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, these services are not available to visitors. Instead, you will need to seek treatment in private facilities with your own insurance plan. It is important to know that Mexico does not have any reciprocal health care agreements with other countries – meaning that you will need to have your own health insurance in place for the duration of your trip.
The Travel Medical plan is a trip insurance that will cover you while outside your home country, including in Mexico. The plan can be managed completely online allowing you to have full access to your trip insurance. The plan will cover you for hospitalization, doctor visits, prescription medication, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. A convenient feature with this plan is that you’ll be able to choose the doctor or hospital of your choice as there is no network in Mexico.
By having suitable trip insurance in Mexico, you’ll be able to rest assured that you have adequate coverage as you venture through the ruins, stroll across the beach, or go shopping in a bodega. The Department of State states on their website that they “strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.”
After China, India sends the greatest number of students abroad. The majority of Indian students study in the United States, which is followed by Australia, the UK, Germany and Canada. Health insurance for Indian students studying abroad in important especially as health care may work differently than in India.
Unlike India’s national health care, countries like the United States provide private health care. In the United States, the medical expenses can be costly and you’ll be expected to provide insurance coverage in many doctor’s offices and hospitals. Indian students studying abroad in the US under an F-1 visa may be required by their school or organization to have coverage before the first day of school. Indian students studying under a J-1 visa are required by the US government to have insurance, including repatriation and emergency medical evacuation.
In Australia, the government provides insurance coverage through Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC), which will need to be purchased prior to arrival. In other counties like the UK and Canada where they do offer public health care, it is possible that you may not be covered. The British and Canadian Embassies recommend that Indian students have adequate health insurance before arrival since medical treatment can be expensive and students are not covered by their national health care. The exception to this is in the UK if you’ve been covered by a reciprocal health care agreement or enrolled in a course that is 6 months or longer.
Indians traveling to Germany to study are required to have insurance under the Student visa. Students under the age of 30 or until their 14th academic semester can take out the public health insurance, or you can choose to opt out for a private health insurance. International students over the age of 30 will no longer be eligible for the student rate and may voluntarily choose a public fund or a private health insurance provider.
When you are looking for your insurance while studying abroad or if you plan on traveling to other countries, you’ll want a plan that will cover you for the full duration of your studies or trip. The Student Health Insurance is designed to cover you up to 4 years of studying and meets many school and government requirements. The plan includes comprehensive inpatient and outpatient medical coverage (doctor visits and hospitalization), prescriptions, mental health, maternity, sports coverage, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, etc.
If you are preparing to study in Spain, you will need Spain student insurance to meet the Spanish visa requirements.
Spain is considered a Schengen country, which requires that you have 30,000 euros in coverage. However, the Embassy has added additional requirements for students studying in Spain. In addition to the minimum coverage requirement, your Spain student insurance requires that you have 100% coverage up until 30,000 euros – or its $50,000 USD equivalent.
What does this mean to you? Your Spain student insurance must not have a deductible, co-payment, or coinsurance to be accepted by the Embassy. In addition, your Spain student insurance must include medical expense coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services.
When applying for your visa, you will need to provide a certificate of coverage/visa letter for proof of your Spain student insurance. Many insurance companies will allow you to purchase your Spain student insurance before departing on your trip. You will be able to choose your dates of coverage, which should be for the entire period you plan to stay in Spain.
Many students have opted for the Atlas Travel plan since this is a comprehensive insurance plan that meets all of the Spanish visa requirements. This Spain student insurance will allow you to choose a $0 deductible, or no deductible, and provides 100% coverage up until the policy maximum you select, with a minimum of $50,000 USD.
After you purchase the Atlas Travel plan, you will have immediate access to your visa letter at Student Zone. You would then just attach this letter to your student visa application. If for any reason you are not issued your visa, you would receive a full-refund. You will just need to send a written or emailed cancellation request before your plan begins.
As you pack your bags for your upcoming trip, you are preparing yourself for an adventure in the fastest growing country within the European Union.
Before leaving, you will need to make sure that you are prepared with your Poland Student Insurance. If you are from a non- EU country, including the US and Canada, you will need to have Poland Student Insurance before entering the country. Poland, a Schengen country, requires that you carry proof of insurance of 30,000 euros or $50,000 in medical coverage. Your Poland Student Insurance will also need to include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.
Additionally, many insurance companies will provide you with a visa letter, also known as a certificate of coverage, necessary to show proof of your Poland Student Insurance. Your Poland Student Insurance coverage must cover you for the total trip duration, which will also be stated on your visa letter/certificate of coverage.
You may be required to show this letter at the time of entry- so be sure to bring proof of your Poland Student Insurance with you in your carry-on bag!
Many students have found the Atlas Travel plan as a well-suited option as it is easy to enroll and you can get same-day coverage with this plan or you can have coverage begin the date of your upcoming departure. The Atlas Travel plan provides coverage outside your home country for inpatient and outpatient services, prescription drugs, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, doctor office visits, etc..
Not only does this plan meet the Polish visa requirements, but you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail. In this e-mail, it will contain your insurance card, letter of coverage, receipt and policy details. You can simply print these documents out to show proof of coverage. You will also have access to Student Zone to get your visa letter which will show proof of coverage for your visa requirement.
Get ready to join a number of other individuals who have traveled to Poland; Poland is ranked as the 17th most visited country in 2008 by the United Nations. Do widzenia!
As you prepare for your upcoming trip to the Czech Republic- whether for business or pleasure- it is important to become familiar with the country’s entry requirements. The Czech Republic is considered one of the Schengen countries. What does this mean? This is a group of countries that have signed the Schengen agreement. As part of this agreement, these countries do not require a visa if you are entering the country for up to 90 days within any 180 day period for business or pleasure. If you plan on studying or working in the Czech Republic, you will need to apply for a visa 3-4 months in advance. No matter what reason brings you to the Czech Republic, you are required to have Czech Republic Visa Insurance.
Czech Republic Visa Insurance is required for any foreigner entering the country and you will need to bring proof of insurance that meets the following:
- Valid coverage throughout Czech Republic
- Valid during the entire period that you will be in the Czech Republic
- Coverage for at least $45,000 USD (or € 30,000)
- Coverage including repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical care and/or emergency treatment in a hospital
According to the US State Department, a health insurance card will generally be accepted as proof of insurance to enter the country. With some Czech Republic visa insurance plans, you will receive a visa letter that is designed specifically to meet these requirements.
The Atlas Travel plan provides Czech Republic visa Insurance, covering travelers outside their home country. Not only will this plan meet the listed requirements, but after purchase, you will have access to your account where you can print out a tailored letter that will comply with the Czech Republic visa insurance requirements. With this plan, you can choose your dates of coverage, providing coverage anywhere from 5 days up until 1 year, and the plan can also be renewed for three years if you intend to stay longer. If you are interested in learning more about this plan, please do not hesitate to contact our representatives.
International students in the Netherlands are required to have international health insurance. The Netherlands require that international students have insurance that meets the Schengen visa requirements. Those requirements are as follows:
- The insurance company must have a representative office in Europe
- Medical evacuation/ repatriation coverage of at least US $37,500
- Insurance must be valid for the duration of stay in the Schengen countries
The Atlas Travel Series is an excellent solution for insurance for international students in the Netherlands. This plan provides coverage outside your home country for inpatient and outpatient services, prescription drugs, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, doctor office visits, etc. This plan allows you to choose your maximum coverage limit (from $50,000 to $1,000,000) and your deductible (from $0 to $2,500).
The Atlas Travel Series meets all the visa requirements for insurance for international students in the Netherlands.
After you purchase this plan, you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail. In this e-mail, it will contain your insurance card, letter of coverage, receipt, visa letter and policy details. You can simply print these documents out to show proof of coverage.
This is a question that we are continually being asked, and especially as we head into August – its something we hear more and more often. For schools in the USA, they will require all students to obtain or purchase some form of coverage before they will let you enroll in classes – and you will run into a few scenarios:
Schools will require you to enroll in their health plan – you have no choice and no right to waive out
Schools will strongly suggest you to enroll in their plan – but you can waive out if you show proof of other, comparable coverage.
Schools will let you choose and purchase your own insurance plan (either with, or without coverage guidelines)
In the first scenario – you will have no choice but to accept the schools insurance plan and pay for it. This is becoming more popular for schools to handle their insurance this way as the schools can regulate the coverage and will know what all their students are covered for.
The second and third scenario are also very common, but it has become increasingly complex for students to try and find coverage as many schools will require the insurance to meet certain guidelines and levels. Schools will also use what they call “Insurance Waiver Forms” which are documents that need to be completed by students who do not wish to purchase the schools insurance plan. It will contain your details, the details about the plan you have purchased and must be signed by your insurance company to show that the plan you have purchased meets their requirements.
Of course, this system can seem daunting and complex to many international students. So, to assist students, we have created the International Student School Insurance Requirement Database – which lists nearly every school in the USA and what their requirements are. You can quickly learn if our plans will meet your schools requirements, and in most cases we offer a link to your schools insurance section and to your insurance waiver form along with instructions on how to complete and submit the waiver form.
If you have any questions or need assistance finding an international student insurance plan, then let us know!
