F1 and F2 Visa insurance information, F1 visa vs F2 Visa insurance

Patriot Exchange Insurance is one of the best international student health insurance for F1visa student's dependents which an F2 visa holder. The F2 Visa holder can buy even if the corresponding F1 Visa holder is not enrolled in the same plan.

Given the high cost of US healthcare, it is prudent to buy medical insurance while on a F2 Visa. While an F2 Visa holder cannot purchase US domestic health insurance, they can purchase US visitor health insurance for an F2 Visa holder from well reputed US insurance providers.

Even if the person is already in the US on their trip, they can still purchase medical insurance for F2 Visa holders starting the next day until they return home. The US F2 Visa travel insurance must be purchased before anything happens in order to be covered.

1 and F2 Visas are both Non Immigrant student visas to enter the United States. However, here are F1 vs F2 visa difference:

• F1 Visa: F1 Visa is the non-immigrant student visa that is the most common student visa in the United States. It is issued to individuals who will enrol in an academic program in an US college or University or high school or other educational institutions and have proven to the University and the Visa officer that the full cost of their education or studies will be paid to travel to the US and be a full time student in the US. F1 Visa holders are full time students and are expected to maintain a specific course load to maintain their status. They are allowed to work on campus part time and are eligible for certain off campus employment solutions with authorization. F1 students may receive an extension of the Visa to do Optional Practical Training(OPT) or OPT in the STEM field, basically an internship after graduation.
• F2 Visa: An F2 Visa is issued to the dependents of the F1 Visa holder . It is issued to the spouse and unmarried children (under age 21) of F1 Visa holder who wants to accompany F1 Visa holder to the US and live with them. F2 Visa holders are not allowed to engage in a full time study. However, they can enrol in elementary or secondary school(Kindergarten to 12th Grade) or engage in recreational or vocational study. The F2 holder must return home as soon as the F1 student goes out of status.

In summary, F1 is for individuals who wish to study in the US whereas F2 is for their dependents who accompany them and live with them in the US. F1 holders have full time status and various work options whereas the F2 holders have restrictions on the full time study and employment options in the US.

Student travel Insurance is not a mandatory requirement for an F1 Visa in the United States. International students in the US may need health insurance to enrol in a University but not necessarily to get F1 Visa. Having adequate health insurance is a requirement set by the University, not by US law. So, it is important to check with the University to see if they require travel insurance to be purchased mandatorily for international students.

There are many student travel insurance plans and are also known as travel health insurance which work like health insurance while living outside one’s home country. Although they cover unexpected medical incidents,your visitor travel Insurance is not the same as international student insurance required for an F1 Visa. It is short term and does not have the same amount of coverage.

In a nutshell, travel insurance is for covering the individual during their trip to outside country for their trip costs, cost for belongings as well as medical emergencies during the trip for short term whereas the student health insurance provides much more apart from covering the medical expenses to covering things like mental health, wellness check up...while living and studying in the US which is much longer duration.

Student health insurance for international students in the USA is typically required by many universities and colleges. Most educational institutions have specific health insurance requirements that international students must meet in order to enroll and maintain their student status.

Some universities offer their own health insurance plans specifically designed for international students. These plans often provide comprehensive coverage for medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medications, and emergency care.

In cases where the educational system does not provide health insurance, or these University plans are too expensive, international students can get their own health insurance coverage.

Here are some popular international health insurance plans for students visiting the USA:

• Student Health Advantage
• Student Secure Select
• Study USA
• Patriot Exchange plan

International students can compare international student insurance based on prices and coverage benefits and make an informed decision while buying student medical insurance in the US.

The cost of health insurance for international students in the USA will vary depending on factors like the specific insurance plan, coverage options, the duration of coverage, the location of the educational institution, and the student's age. On average, international students can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per year for health insurance coverage.

Here are the steps that the student should take in order to buy the health insurance plan :

• Check if your school/University/College recommends a mandatory group health insurance plan:

If they do, then check if they are included in the tuition bill or check how it needs to be paid and make the payment for the plan. You can also check if the plan has an optional waiver available and if it does, make sure it fits your needs . If it does not suit your needs , ask them to send a waiver form and then complete the steps 2, 3 & 4.

If they do not have any group insurance plan, then complete the steps 2, 3 & 4.

• Check for US insurance companies offering international student health insurance
• Select the plan that meets your needs and University health insurance requirements. Check if they provide the waiver form to be signed and see if you can add your dependents if any to the plan. Make sure the plan provides all the benefits that you list.
• Select the most suitable student medical insurance plan that suits your needs and buy it online.