Best J1 visa health insurance Visa holders?
The US Department of State has changed the J Visa requirements for medical insurance! Here are the new requirements for the Visa:
- The policy must provide medical benefits of at least $100,000 for each accident or illness. This refers to the policy maximum.
- The policy must provide at least $25,000 in repatriation benefits to send the remains to the home country for burial.
- The deductible should not exceed $500 per accident or illness.
- The co-payment of medical expenses (the portion not covered by insurance that the insured pays him or herself) should be of no more than 25%.
- If, because of a serious illness or injury, you must be sent home on the advice of a doctor, the policy must pay up to $50,000 for the expenses of your travel. This is referred to as emergency medical evacuation.
All J Visa holders will have to adhere to these new guidelines. Insurance companies are in the process of changing their offering to appropriately reflect these changes. Naturally, you can purchase policies with a higher maximum and higher limits than the minimums given above (many are higher in some areas) without worrying about having to make a change.
If you hold a policy for only $50,000 maximum and you are on a J1 or J2 Visa, please make sure to contact us to see how you can switch policies to meet the new higher requirement.
American Visitor Insurance offers affordable J1 visa health insurance satisfying the requirements to keep you protected during your exchange program. We will be happy to make sure you are in compliance for the duration of your stay! As ever, we wish you safe, healthy, and happy travels!
What can happen if I do not satisfy the J Visa insurance requirement?
The Department of State views health insurance as very, very important! The regulations require that your J program sponsor should terminate your status in the U.S. as a J Visa holder if you willfully fail to comply with the J Visa insurance requirement.
Is health insurance required for a J-1 visa?
Yes, health insurance is required for J-1 visa holders. The U.S. Department of State requires all participants of the J-1 visa program to have health insurance that includes specific coverage limits for medical benefits, medical evacuation, and repatriation.
When is the best time to complete J1 insurance purchase for USA health coverage?
All J visa applicants need to show proof of insurance that meets minimum J1 visa health insurance requirements when you apply for a J1 visa. It is best to complete your J1 insurance purchase on American Visitor Insurance before you start the visa application process.
Can I use the same insurance as my J-1 spouse or parent?
Yes, J-2 visa holders can often be covered by the same insurance plan as the J-1 visa holder, such as the insurance available on American Visitor Insurance or those provided by the exchange program. However, it is important to ensure that the coverage meets the health insurance for J1 and J2 visa requirements.
Compare US J visa scholar health insurance cost in 2025
The cost of US health insurance for scholars depends on different factors like the age of the scholar, the duration, the medical coverage, the deductible and the co-insurance for the plan. Additionally the health insurance cost in the US for international scholars also depends on coverage for mental illness, dental expenses, hazardous sports, maternity and coverage for pre-existing ailments. The average cost of scholar insurance will be from $31 up to $130 per month. Here at American Visitor insurance we have calculated the cost of health insurance for scholars to help them compare and make an informed choice while buying the plan.
J1 visa insurance cost
| J1 Visa Insurance Plans | Policy Maximum | Deductible | Provider Network | Cost * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot America Plus IMG | $50,000 | $250 | United HealthCare | $56 |
| StudentSecure Smart WorldTrips | $100,000 | $0 | United HealthCare | $69 |
| Patriot Exchange IMG | $50,000 | $250 | United HealthCare | $74 |
| Diplomat America Global Undewriters | $50,000 | $250 | No PPO | $83 |
| StudentSecure Budget WorldTrips | $250,000 | $0 | United HealthCare | $103 |
| Navigator Student GeoBlue | Unlimited Coverage | $0 | - | $315 |
* The cost of international scholar health insurance per month for a scholar aged 30 years. Source: American Visitor Insurance®
Which is the cheapest J1 visa travel insurance?
The cheapest J1 visa travel insurance is Student Journey Lite from IMG, StudentSecure Smart from Worldtrips and StudentSecure Budget from Worldtrips.
- Pre-existing condition covers after 6 months of waiting period.
- Coverage from 30 days to 364 days.
- Annual payment options is available.
- Acute onset of Pre-existing condition: $25,000 up to policy maximum.
- Coverage from 30 days to 364 days
- Monthly or Annual Payment options available.
- Pre-existing condition covers after 12 months of waiting period.
- Coverage from 30 days to 364 days.
- Monthly or Annual Payment options available.
Which is the best health insurance for international students in USA?
Patriot Exchange Program IMG
- Ideal for : F1 & J1 students visa holder, Adventure Sports
- Pre-existing condition: Comprehensive plan with high medical maximum and pre-existing conditions coverage after 12 months of waiting period.
- Mental health: Out Patient : Max 50 visits, maximum limit, Inpatient: Up to $10,000
- Direct Billing: First healthcare network
or United HealthCare 
- Renewal: Can be renewed and extended up to 24 months.
- Patriot Exchange Program insurance cost for a 20 years old student starts from $56 per month ($675 per year). An annual payment option is available to students.
Policy maximum?
$50,000 to $5,000,000Deductible options?
$0 to $500Period of coverage?
1 month up to 12 months
Student Journey Platinum IMG
- Ideal for : J1, F1, A1 and M1 visas, Adventure Sports, Maternity
- Pre-existing condition: Covers after 6 months of waiting period
- Mental health: Out Patient : Max 40 visits, maximum limit, Inpatient: Up to 30 days max
- Direct Billing: United HealthCare
- Renewal: Can be renewed and extended up to 12 months.
- Student Journey Platinum insurance cost for a 20 years old student starts from $74 per month ($888 per year). An annual payment option is available to students.
Policy maximum?
$500,000Deductible options?
$250Period of coverage?
30 days to 12 months
StudentSecure Select Insurance Worldtrips
- Ideal for : F1 & J1 students visa holder, Maternity, Sports coverage
- Acute on set of pre-existing condition: $25,000 up to policy maximum
- Mental health: Physician Office Visit: Max 30 visits, Inpatient: Max 30 days (includes drug and alcohol abuse)
- Direct Billing: United HealthCare
- Renewal: Can be renewed and extended up to 4 years.
- Student Secure Select insurance cost for a 20 years old student starts from $106 per month ($1248 per year). You can buy the plan either on a monthly or a yearly basis.
Policy maximum?
$1,000,000Deductible options?
$0Period of coverage?
30 days to 364 days
Student Health Advantage Standard IMG
- Ideal for : F1, J1,M1 and A1 students visa holder, Adventure Sports
- Pre-existing condition: Covers after 12 months of waiting period
- Mental health: Out Patient : Max 50 visits, maximum limit, Inpatient: Up to $10,000
- Direct Billing: First healthcare network or United HealthCare
- Renewal: Can be renewed and extended up to 60 months.
- Student Health Advantage Platinum insurance cost for a 20 years old student starts from 118 per month ($1,416 per year), both monthly and annual payment options are available. Offers high policy maximum and good coverage for various medical emergencies.
Policy maximum?
$500,000Deductible options?
$250Period of coverage?
1 month up to 12 months
StudentSecure Elite Insurance Worldtrips
- Ideal for : F1 & J1 students visa holder, Maternity, Sports coverage
- Acute on set of pre-existing condition: $25,000 up to policy maximum
- Mental health: Physician Office Visit: Max 40 visits, Inpatient: Max 40 days (includes drug and alcohol abuse)
- Direct Billing: United HealthCare
- Renewal: Can be renewed and extended up to 4 years.
- Student Secure Elite insurance cost for a 20 years old student starts from $181 per month ($2135 per year). You can buy the plan either on a monthly or a yearly basis.
Policy maximum?
$1,000,000Deductible options?
$0Period of coverage?
30 days to 364 days
Student Health Advantage Platinum IMG
- Ideal for : F1, J1,M1 and A1 students visa holder, Adventure Sports, Maternity
- Pre-existing condition: Covers after 12 months of waiting period
- Mental health: Out Patient : Max 50 visits, maximum limit, Inpatient: Up to $10,000
- Direct Billing: First healthcare network or United HealthCare
- Renewal: Can be renewed and extended up to 60 months.
- Student Health Advantage Platinum insurance cost for a 20 years old student starts from $353 per month ($4,236 per year), both monthly and annual payment options are available.
Policy maximum?
$1,000,000Deductible options?
$100Period of coverage?
1 month up to 12 months
Visitors travel insurance reviews
“Thank you for such helpful information. You've impressed me as I have contacted other companies and haven't gotten half of the information from them that you have sent me. I will take what you've said into consideration and hope to be in touch soon.”
Shelie
“ I recently visited your website for the first time to buy insurance for travel to US. I found the information very good. Your customer support was fantastic and awesome. You were so dedicated to take care of my inquiries. I would rate your service 100/100.”
Charlotte
“ I am pleased to say that your company is very professional in the field of Insurance. The customer is happy to get easily connected and then you very patiently explain the difference between various plans to suit each customer's need.”
Lori Fields
J1 visa Medical Evacuation and Repatriation insurance
Resourceful tourist health insurance USA information
Find the best travel insurance
Find out the best insurance for your budget and needs
Know more »How does travel insurance work?
Claims process for expenses due to injury or sickness
Know more »How to buy travel insurance?
Guide to buying the best international travel health insuranceKnow more »
US visitor insurance glossary
Commonly used international travel medical insurance termsKnow more »
Travel insurance for specific groups
Tourists, Cruises, Students, J1 visa, OPT status, Immigrants...Know more »
Compare travel insurance plans
Compare the best travel insurance plan for your needs
Know more »J Visa insurance links
Popular J Visa insurance plans
Reviews of popular J1 Visa Insurance plans. Compare and buy cheap insurance for j1 Visa.
Click here to read more »J2 Dependent Visa insurance, J2 health insurance
J2 Visa insurance plans provide health insurance coverage for these dependants of J1 Visa holders.
Click here to read more »US J visa insurance - Resourceful links
J Visa Insurance FAQs
Commonly asked questions about J Visa Insurance.
Click here to read more »J1 Visa Insurance Forum
Customer queries and answers about insurance plans for J1 Visa.
Click here to read more »J2 Visa Insurance Forum
Customer queries and answers about insurance plans for J2 Visa holders.
Click here to read more »