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Archive for the ‘Visa Requirements’ Category
Friday, May 11th, 2012
If you are one of the many international students without health insurance you could be risking more than you think. The United States does not have universal health care meaning the government will not cover your medical expenses that are acquired while you are studying in the US. Since your medical bills are not taken care of by the US government it is highly recommended, and depending on your visa perhaps even required by the US federal government, that you purchase private health insurance.
Since health care in the US can be expensive and bills can accumulate quickly, having health insurance is a means of protection. International students without health insurance could be left with thousands of dollars of debt if a major accident were to occur.
Students with an F-1 visa are not required by the US to have adequate health insurance coverage, however, colleges and universities often have their own insurance requirements in place that international students must meet.
Individuals who will be in the US with a J-1 or J-2 visa must fulfill the following US federal government visa insurance requirements:
• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
An insurance policy secured to meet the benefits requirements must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above, a Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above. Alternatively, the sponsor may ascertain that the participant’s policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country.
If you are one of many international students without health insurance looking for a plan that will meet federal or school requirements, contact one of our agents today to find a plan that will meet your needs.
Tags: International Students without Health Insurance
Posted in Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Monday, December 12th, 2011
With so much history, art and inspiration seeping from every inch, who wouldn’t want to study abroad in Greece? Not only does it have ancient relics such as the Parthenon, but it has a variety of natural scenery that pleases beach goers and mountain lovers alike. As with any trip, there is a lot of preparation involved beforehand and you might be wondering what the Greece visa requirements for an international student are.
Greece is a part of the Schengen Treaty meaning if you are not a citizen of a European-Union, you more than likely will need to obtain a Schengen visa for your studies over 90 days. However, there are exceptions. A Schengen visa will allow you to visit other countries within the Schengen space on this one visa.
To obtain a Schengen visa to study abroad in Greece the application must be submitted in person two weeks prior to your scheduled departure. Below is a general list of Greece visa requirements that will need supporting documents. Please note depending on your home country and situation you may be required to provide additional forms of information.
- A completed application
- A valid passport
- One passport photo
- Official acceptance letter of the institution where you will be studying
- A medical certificate
- Criminal record from the federal police (for Australian citizens) and National criminal record (including English translation) for other nationalities
- Proof of financial means for the duration of your stay
- Proof of international health insurance for the duration of your stay
For your insurance plan to meet the Schengen visa health insurance requirements, it must include the following:
- The insurance company must have a representative office in Europe
- Medical evacuation/ repatriation coverage of at least euro 30,000
- Insurance must be valid for the duration of stay in the Schengen countries
One common international student health insurance plan for students looking to meet the Schengen visa health insurance requirement while studying abroad in Greece is the Atlas Travel plan. After you purchase this plan you will have immediate access to your student zone where you can obtain a visa letter providing proof of your insurance.
If you would like further information on a plan that will meet your Greece visa requirements, please contact one of our licensed insurance agents.
While this information reflects the typical Greece visa process and requirements please check with your embassy for any changes.
Tags: Greece Visa Requirements, international student health insurance, schengen visa
Posted in Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Monday, November 14th, 2011
Australia has been trying to deal with the latest dip in international student enrollment especially as higher education continues to grow increasingly more competitive worldwide. Australia has seen a 20% reduction in student visas which has primarily affected business programs throughout the country.
Many international students in Australia enroll in business school, either in management or commerce – or in MBA programs. According to the Australian Trade Commission, over 50% of international students were enrolled in management and commerce last year in 2010. Looking at the MBA student population at Melbourne Business School, 70% of full-time students were international students whereas the MBA program at RMIT University of Melbourne’s was approximately 45-50% international students. Australian universities and colleges are no longer sitting on the sidelines watching their enrollment drop. Pressuring the government to change the student visa process, it is hoped that the number of international students in Australia will stabilize and begin to increase.
With the reduction in enrollment, the Australian government announced last month that there would be further changes to the student visa process. This comes after changes back in April eased Australia student visa requirements even further in hopes of changing this data around.
Changes in the visa requirements for international students in Australia will allow those students with a degree from an Australian institution to have an additional two years post-study that will allow students to work overseas. Other changes announced include a quicker and easier visa process along with eased financial requirements. These requirements are anticipated to go into effect the middle of 2012.
Tags: International students in australia, visa changes in Australia
Posted in Country Requirements, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Friday, November 4th, 2011
While many students in the United States usually enter with either a F-1 or J-1 visa, many people often forget about the M-1 student visa for vocational schools. Once a student has been accepted to a vocational program, they are issued an I-20 form which can be used to apply for the M-1 visa.
While the M-1 student visa does not have any insurance requirements set by the government, most schools will have their own health insurance requirements.
If you are a full-time student on a M-1 visa, our M-1 visa student health insurance plan, called the Student Secure plan, can provide you coverage while you are studying in the US. The plan offers comprehensive insurance that would cover you in case you become sick or injured. If your program is less than one year, you can also choose to have the plan for any number of months as you are not required to sign up for a full year.
Another popular plan for vocational students is the Atlas Travel Plan. This plan also provides medical coverage while you are in the United States. If you need further help deciding which plan is right for you or if you have special insurance requirements, please feel free to contact us to speak with a qualify insurance agent.
Tags: flight school insurance, insurance for international student, M visa insurance, M-1 visa, M-1 visa insurance, vocation school insurance for student, vocational school insurance
Posted in International Student in the USA, Student Health Insurance, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Monday, October 3rd, 2011
Alberta, like all provinces in Canada, provides universal health care for their citizens and permanent residents that is publically administered and funded. Alberta’s health care system known as the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is available to international students studying in Alberta for 12 months or longer.
To be eligible for the AHCIP, foreign students must register within 3 months of arrival in Alberta by presenting your Study Permit and your Temporary Resident Visa. AHCIP will cover basic services like hospital costs, doctor visits, and laboratory tests; however it does not cover prescription drugs, rehabilitation needs, dental services or ambulance transport. Because of this, some international students will purchase a private medical insurance plan for Canada to ensure that out-of-pocket expenses are minimized. Additionally, if you are not eligible for the AHCIP, then your school may or may not provide you with a mandatory insurance plan. Before arriving in Alberta, it is important to contact your school about insurance options as a Chinese international student.
If you will be studying in Alberta for less than 12 months and your school does not have a mandatory insurance plan, you may want to consider purchasing your own private student health insurance since you will be responsible for any costs related to medical treatment. Because of this, many schools recommend having coverage begin as soon as you arrive so that you will be fully insured for the duration of your studies.
Tags: Chinese Student Health Insurance in Alberta, foreign student insurance in alberta, student health insurance in alberta
Posted in Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Monday, September 26th, 2011
New Brunswick is a province in Canada that is located on the eastern shoreline. Like with the other provinces in Canada, New Brunswick offers national health care to its citizens and permanent residence called the New Brunswick Medicare. If you are an international student studying in New Brunswick, whether a student from another province or country, you are not eligible for the New Brunswick Medicare.
Instead, if you are a Chinese international student in New Brunswick, you will need to purchase a separate policy to cover you while studying in Canada. If you do not have an insurance plan in place, you will be expected to pay for medical treatment and expenses out-of-pocket. To cut down on your expenses, you should first contact your school to see whether they have a mandatory insurance plan in place.
Some schools will allow you to choose your own student insurance plan if you are able to provide proof of insurance upon arrival. Other schools will leave students on their own to purchase insurance. Other universities may build insurance into the tuition without the option to waive out. In any of these cases, it is important to find out what your school offers, what options you have, and what type of benefits are included in your plan.
Tags: Chinese Student Health Insurance in New Brunswick, Foreign Student Insurance in New Brunswick, Student Health Insurance in New Brunswick
Posted in Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Monday, September 19th, 2011
While Quebec offer its citizens national health care, it is not available to international students studying in Quebec unless there is a bilateral agreement that entitles them to national health care in Canada. While China does not have an agreement, France, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden all allow students to obtain free health care in Quebec.
If you are not from one of these countries, however, you will need to purchase a private health insurance for your studies in Quebec. Most universities, however, have their own mandatory health insurance plan that most Chinese international students must purchase. The two largest mandatory insurance plans required by universities are Blue Cross and Desjardins Securité financière.
You will need to contact your school to see what type of insurance is available and whether it is mandatory. If they use the Blue Cross and Desjardins Securité financière insurance plans, they are modeled after the national health care plan called the Quebec Assurance maladie (RAMQ Medicare). Be sure to find out the benefits of the plan and check coverage to make sure that you will covered if you will be traveling.
Tags: Chinese Student Health Insurance in Quebec, Foreign Student Insurance in Quebec, Student Health Insurance in Quebec
Posted in Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Monday, September 12th, 2011
Manitoba, a province in Canada, insures its citizens under a nationwide universal health care plan called Manitoba Health. Recently, the province has made some reforms as to the eligibility of their health insurance specifically directed at international students.
As of January 19, 2011, Manitoba Health is no longer available to foreign students who only have a Study Permit. Instead, if you are a Chinese student or other foreign national, you are eligible for Manitoba Health if you have a valid work permit. However, if you do not have a valid work permit and intend on studying only, they will need to purchase a private student health insurance plan either individually or through your school.
International students in Manitoba enrolling in a post-secondary school are typically required to purchase the Manitoba International Student Health Insurance (MISHIP) through their school. This plan is provided by Great West Life and provides coverage only in Manitoba. If you plan on staying in Manitoba, we recommend that you contact your school to confirm your insurance options. Universities that offer the MISHIP generally make enrollment mandatory unless you have a valid work permit and have a Manitoba Health card.
If your school requires this insurance, it is important to contact your international student office to confirm coverage. If you plan to travel to another province or country you may want to consider purchasing a travel insurance since some services may be limited or excluded entirely.
Tags: Chinese Student Insurance in Manitoba, foreign student insurance in manitoba, Student Health Insurance in Manitoba, Student Insurance in Manitoba
Posted in Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Monday, September 5th, 2011
Like many provinces in Canada, Saskatchewan offers national health care under the Saskatchewan Health program to all residence in the province. International students studying in Saskatchewan for a minimum of one year are eligible for national health benefits if they have full-time attendance at an accredited educational institution, have submitted the Student Certification, and have a valid Study Permit from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Once you have applied with Health Registration, you will receive a Health Services Card that can be renewed on an annual basis. If you will be studying in Saskatchewan for less than one year, you may not get a Study Permit and thus may not be eligible for Saskatchewan Health. Instead you will need to purchase a private student health insurance from either your school or independently.
It is important to note, however, that if you have traveled to another province longer than 90 days before you arrive in Saskatchewan, you will have a 3 month waiting period applied to your Saskatchewan Health plan. If this is the case, you will want to purchase a private health insurance plan to cover you for this waiting period. Some foreign students from China even purchase a supplementary insurance plan to provide additional coverage to the free benefits provided under the Saskatchewan Health.
Tags: Chinese Student Health Insurance for Saskatchewan, Foreign student insurance in Saskatchewan, Student Health Insurance for Saskatchewan
Posted in Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Monday, August 29th, 2011
Like many provinces in Canada, British Columbia offers its citizens national health care. Known as the Medical Service Plan (MSP) in British Columbia, the national health care lawfully requires residence of British Columbia to enroll in this health care system. You may wonder, does the MSP also apply to international students, including those from China?
For foreign students in British Columbia who plan to stay in Canada for 6 months or longer, study permits are issued under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Under this status, British Columbia recognizes international students as residents and thus are eligible and required to enroll in the Medical Service Plan.
To apply for this coverage, international students must apply with a passport and Study Permit upon arrival in British Columbia. Once students have submitted their application, there is a 3 month waiting period before any benefits are paid. Because of this, many Chinese students purchase a private health insurance plan so that the plan will cover your medical expenses instead of having to pay out of pocket for this period.
Once the 3 month waiting period is over, you will receive your Care Card in the mail which will typically have the same expiration date as your Study Permit. If you will be studying in British Columbia for less than 6 months, you will need to secure your own private insurance plan for Canada to cover you in case of illness or injury.
Tags: Chinese Student Health Insurance in British Columbia, Foreign student insurance in British Columbia, Student Health Insurance in British Columbia
Posted in Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
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