J1 Visa Insurance Plans
J visa holders can encompass a wide variety of individuals and their families. Often linked to cultural exchange or sponsored programs, holders can be students, interns, trainees, teachers, scholars, researchers, physicians, au pairs, and camp counselors. Although only in the US for a short duration, the federal Department of State mandates coverage to ensure appropriate health insurance is in place during your stay.
What are the types of J visas
J1 Visa
A J1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to students and scholars visiting the US who are participating in work and study-based exchange programs. The exchange programs that sponsor these individuals and their families are generally nonprofit or educational institutions helping the visitor to receive training, demonstrate special skills, study, or even teach throughout the US.J2 Visa
A J2 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to the dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 21) of individuals holding a J1 exchange visitor visa. J2 visa holders are allowed to accompany or later join the J1 principal in the United States for the duration of the exchange program. Depending on the specific J1 category, J2 holders may be eligible to study, and they can also apply for work authorization, however, their ability to work or study depends on the terms of the J1 program and approval from immigration authorities.What are the J visa requirements
J1 Visa Requirements
As part of the J1 visa requirements, you (and any dependent family members traveling with you on J2 visas) will be required by the Department of State to maintain adequate health insurance coverage for the full duration of your trip that meets the following requirements:- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the J1 visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
J2 Visa Requirements
- Must be the legal spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a valid J1 visa holder
- Each applicant must have their own DS-2019 form, issued by the same sponsor as the J1 visa principal
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Must meet the J visa health insurance requirements throughout their stay
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
- Medical evacuation to home country in the amount of $50,000
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
According to the American Immigration Council , around 300,000 participants from more than 200 countries and territories visit the United States on J1 visas each year.
How to obtain adequate health insurance
Health insurance though an exchange program
Ultimately it is the program sponsors who are required to verify that all of their J visa holders purchase and maintain health insurance that meet the federal requirements, either by enforcing a mandatory group health insurance plan or allowing you to purchase coverage of your own. If your school or sponsor does not provide insurance coverage, or they allow you to purchase your own coverage, there are a variety of options available on the market covering a range of benefits — please just pay careful attention to the requirements listed above and make sure that these requirements are met by your selected insurance plan.Private Medical Insurance
If a mandatory health insurance program is not in place with the sponsor, J1 and J2 visa holders can purchase insurance through independent insurance providers, as long as the coverage meets the required minimum coverage requirements. International Student Insurance (ISI) offers a variety of insurance options that will meet and exceed the federal requirements. Check out our Student Health and Travel Medical plan options.Student Secure
The Student Secure offers monthly international student health insurance coverage with monthly payment options, and coverage available up to 4 years for OPT students:
- $200,000 to $5,000,000 max
- As low as $25 deductible
- Doctor visits & hospitalization
- Mental health
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
Patriot Exchange
The Patriot Exchange plan is designed specifically for full-time international students, scholars and study abroad students around the world.
- $$50,000 to $500,000 max
- As low as $0 deductible
- Doctor visits & hospitalization
- Mental health
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
J1 Group Insurance Options
If you are a J1 visa sponsor, or work with cultural exchange participants and are looking for group insurance options, please visit our sister website, Envisage Global Insurance, for further information and details about specific options they have.
