J1 Visa Insurance requirements for Universities

We have many plans that satisfy J visa requirements and work ideally for J1 and J2 Visa holders. Some of the US health insurance plans require the J1 Visa holder to be the primary applicant for the J2 visa holder to be eligible. If only the J2 visa applicant alone needs a plan we have a popular health insurance plan by international medical group (img) known as Patriot Exchange. Please find the details of this plan here:

While we cannot state whether or not they cover J2 Visa holders completely, they might not meet the specific J visa health insurance requirements as defined by the immigration authorities. The J2 visa eligibility and medical insurance coverage is dependent on the J1 exchange program.

Yes, a visiting scholar can come to the US on a B-1 "visitor for business" visa. Under Certain situations a person on a B-1 visa status is permitted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) regulations to be reimbursed for expenses, and, under the amended law, can also be paid an honorarium. Visiting scholars who are going to meet all of their own expenses can also come in B-1 status. Getting a B-1 visa does not require any formal immigration document from the University.

To obtain a B-1 visa, a prospective scholar should have an invitation letter from the department with which the scholar will be affiliated, detailing the dates and activities of the contemplated visit, and indicating what if anything is to be provided in the way of reimbursements and honoraria.

Following are some benefits that are are covered by the international medical insurance:

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.

Most health insurance policies available for foreign scholars requires that the J1 visa holder be the primary applicant on the insurance policy. However there is one policy offered by International Medical Group (IMG) which can be purchased only by the J2 visa dependent as long as the J1 scholar is insured by the institution sponsoring the J visa holder. This policy is the Patriot Exchange plan.

The Patriot Exchange insurance plan by IMG is very economical and with many excellent benefits. One advantage of the policy is that if the insured has access to a health center, they only pay a $5 copay (instead of the usual $100 deductible). As a copay, this is payable at every visit, however, even many visits will be cheaper than a single $100 deductible. A disadvantage to this Patriot Exchange policy is that there is no maternity coverage and no coverage for pre-existing conditions. For more details on IMG’s Patriot Exchange, including brochure and pricing, please use these web-links:

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