What Is a B1 and B2 Visa?
The B1 and B2 visas are non-immigrant visitor visas granted by the United States to foreign nationals who are temporarily traveling business or tourism purposes.
B1 Visa (Business Visitor):The B-1 visa is for people visiting the U.S. for short-term business partners, such as attending meetings, participating in conferences, negotiating contracts, or consulting with business associates. It does not permit employment or long-term work in the U.S.
B-2 Visa (Tourist Visitor):The B-2 visa is for tourists and visitors traveling for leisure, vacations, visiting friends or family, or seeking medical treatment in the United States.
Both visas are often come together as a B-1/B-2 visa. This offers flexibility for travelers whose trips may include both business and leisure activities.
Why Should I Buy Health Insurance for B1 B2 Visa Holders?
Traveling to the United States with a B1 or B2 visa comes with new experiences that could come with possible financial risks if a medical emergency occurs. Buying travel medical insurance for B1/B2 visa holders will give peace of mind while you are visiting the USA.
- The U.S. healthcare system can be very expensive. A hospital stay, emergency surgery, or evacuation can cost a lot, and domestic insurance from your home country may not cover visits to the U.S.
- You may not have access to U.S. public healthcare or national coverage. You are responsible for your own medical costs.
- While insurance is not often required before entering the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visa, it is highly recommended. This helps you avoid the risk of large bills.
- Business visitors (B-1) might face treaty or corporate insurance issues. Your employer may require coverage, or you may take part in activities like meetings or exhibitions that increase your risk.
- Tourists (B-2) and those seeking medical treatment could encounter unexpected illness, injury, or the need for evacuation.
Differences Between B1 and B2 Visa Insurance Requirements
| Aspect | Business Visitor (B-1 Visa) | Tourist Visitor (B-2 Visa) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of Trip | Short-term business work travel includes meetings, visiting a client, conducting negotiations, attending conferences, and training sessions. | Tourism, leisure travel, visiting family/friends, or short-term medical treatment in the U.S. |
| Stay Duration | Stays are generally shorter (a few days to weeks) and are specifically for business purposes. | Often longer stays (weeks to months) for family visits or treatment, sometimes up to six months. |
| Primary Risks | Travel delays, lost documents or misplaced business equipment, exposure to new environments, experiencing minor health or illness while you are away on a short trip. | Broader medical risks, hospitalization, evacuation costs, trip interruption, and potential medical treatment expenses. |
| Insurance Coverage Focus | Plans emphasizing trip interruption, travel delay, emergency medical coverage, and business related coverage (e.g., equipment loss, replacement documents). | Plans focusing on comprehensive medical coverage, including acute onset of pre-existing conditions, evacuation, and repatriation. |
| Documentation Needs | May require proof of business activities for visa and insurance eligibility. | May require proof of relationship or travel intent for family visits or leisure stays. |
| Best Practice | Verify whether employer travel insurance will cover medical expenses in the United States; if not, purchase a short-term visitor insurance plan. | Choose a visitor health insurance plan with higher medical limits (≥ $100,000) for medical emergencies and long stays. |
Which Is the Cheapest Medical Insurance for B2 Visa Holders in the USA?
Other affordable travel insurance for the US are Venbrook Essential from Venbrook International and Visitors Care from IMG.
* The price shown is for a 30-day trip with a $25,000 maximum coverage and a $0 deductible for a 40-year-old traveler.
How Much Does B2 Tourist Visa Health Insurance Cost in the USA?
The cost of visitor insurance depends on several factors:
- 👤 Age of the traveler (cost increases with age)
- 💵 Medical maximum coverage & deductible
- 📋 visitors coverage type (Fixed benefit vs Comprehensive coverage)
- ❤️ Visitors insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions
For an average traveler, there are cheap travel insurance plans at less than a dollar a day.
Fixed vs Comprehensive Visitor Insurance Plans
- The cheapest visitor health insurance USA is a fixed benefit plan because it only covers a set amount for each medical expense.
- Within these parameters, travelers can choose:
- An economical fixed plan
- A more expensive but complete comprehensive plan
- Downside of fixed plans: You only know what the insurance company will pay on your behalf; the amount you owe depends on the charges for each service.
- The price of the best visitors insurance for USA is approximate and can change based on specific needs and circumstances.
- It is a good idea to compare different plans and get quotes from multiple providers to find the best visitors insurance coverage for your budget.
- Someone in their Thirties will pay about $40 per month for a fixed plan or $60 for a comprehensive plan if traveling to USA from Europe.
- That same person would only pay $30 for a comprehensive plan to go to Europe.
- Prices usually double for someone in their 60s, and increase further for older travelers.
How Much Does the Most Affordable Visitors Insurance for USA Cost?
The most affordable visitor health insurance USA starts from $20 per month with options up to $191 per month. The average cost of fixed benefit visitor travel insurance for the USA is calculated based on one-month quotes.
| Plan Name | Plan max range | Deductible | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $20 - $58 | $39 - $102 | $60 - $166 |
| Visitors Care | $25,000 - $100,000 | $100 | $25 - $47 | $40 - $75 | $66 - $152 |
| Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 - $175,000 | $0 | $26 - $76 | $50 - $134 | $109 - $155 |
| Venbrook Essential | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $26 - $81 | $49 - $124 | $68 - $147 |
| Visit USA Budget | $50,000 - $150,000 | $250 | $32 - $56 | $49 - $86 | $84 |
| VisitorSecure | $50,000 - $130,000 | $100 | $34 - $62 | $55 - $76 | $96 - $139 |
| Travel Medical USA Visitor Basic | $50,000 - $150,000 | $100 | $42 - $52 | $79 - $94 | $173 - $191 |
How Much Does the Comprehensive and Best Visitors Insurance Cost Per Month?
The best travel insurance cost for USA ranges from $58 to $353 per month. The average cost of comprehensive travel insurance for the USA is based on one-month quotes with a $250 deductible.
| Plan name | Plan maximum | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Essential | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $58 - $109 | $131 - $266 | $263 - $328 |
| Safe Travels USA Cost Saver | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $71 - $117 | $139 - $250 | $237 - $299 |
| Venbrook Premier | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $135 | $176 - $346 | $352 - $437 |
| Patriot America Lite | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $72 - $130 | $153 - $289 | $252 - $337 |
| Atlas America | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $78 - $154 | $177 - $378 | $355 - $444 |
| Patriot America Plus | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $139 | $164 - $311 | $287 - $434 |
| Travel Medical Basic | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $80 - $138 | $167 - $314 | $252 - $337 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $90 - $168 | $172 - $351 | $294 - $470 |
| SafeVista Protect | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | $93 - $127 | $215 - $248 | $320 |
| Diplomat America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $125 -$214 | $229 - $301 | $353 |
How Much Does 6-Month Medical Insurance for Visitors to USA Cost?
For a 60-year-old traveler, the cost of USA visitor insurance for 6 months typically ranges around $122 to $1,050, based different coverage options, medical needs, and traveler’s budget on American Visitor Insurance.
The best 6 month USA travel insurance is the one which is affordable, reliable and allows the traveler stress free.
Importance of Having Visitor Health Insurance in the USA
- Given the high US healthcare costs, being uninsured is very risky.
- In US hospitals, costs are much cheaper if:
- You have short-term medical insurance for international travel
- The hospital is part of the travel insurance USA PPO network
- Beyond travel insurance coverage, simply having the best health insurance for travelers to the USA helps reduce your overall medical bill.
- Therefore, it is crucial to buy travel health insurance USA or health insurance for visitors in USA before your trip.
A routine doctor’s visit can cost between $250 to $350, while a heart attack will leave you with a bill of at least $25,000. If you need to stay in the ICU after a stroke, the cost can exceed $150,000. Even something as routine as an echocardiogram ranges from $1,500 to $4,000, depending on where you get it.
Emergency treatments for conditions like diabetes complications cost anywhere from $3,500 to $7,000, and if you need treatment for kidney failure, expect to pay over $30,000.
What Is the Best Health Insurance for B2 Visa Visitors to the USA?
The Best health insurance for visitors to USA is Patriot America Plus.
The other top recommended best travel insurance for USA include Atlas America and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive.
- Comprehensive plan for non-US residents traveling to the USA.
- Direct Billing:
- Urgent Care: $30 per incident; no copayment if deductible is $0
- Acute onset of pre-existing condition: Up to policy maximum for ages up to 70 years
- Emergency medical evacuation: Up to $1,000,000
- Popular visitor insurance plan for non-US residents visiting the US.
- Direct Billing:
- Urgent Care: 15 per incident; no copayment if deductible is $0.
- Acute onset of pre-existing conditions: Up to maximum limit, for ages up to 80 years
- Emergency medical evacuation: Up to $1,000,000
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
Trawick International
$90 Per monthAge: 40 years | Plan maximum: $50,000 | Deductible: 250
- Travel medical insurance plan which offers extensive medical coverage.
- Direct Billing:
- Urgent Care: $30 per incident; no copayment if deductible is $0
- Acute onset of pre-existing conditions: Up to 89 years
- Emergency medical evacuation: Up to $2,000,000 and up to $1,000,000 for medical expenses
What Does Travel Medical Insurance for B1/B2 Visa Cover?
- Health care expenses: Covers hospital expenses for sickness or accidents.
- Doctor visit: Insures Doctor visits for sudden injury or sickness.
- Pharmacy drugs: Doctor prescribed eligible pharmacy drugs expenses.
- Pre-existing conditions: Some plans insure acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
- Medical evacuation: Medical evacuation expenses to nearest facility included.
- Repat of remains: Repatriation of remains to home country included.
Medical Insurance for Visitors to USA Reviews
Karen
"After rigorous searching for suitable student health insurances online, I stumbled upon the American visitor Insurance."
Margaret
"We really thank American insurance team for providing great assistance in taking the insurance. We were successfully."
Connie
"Thank you American Visitor Insurance customer service for meticulously following through. I truly appreciate it."
What Are the Different USA Visa Health Insurance?
How Do I Extend the US Visitor Visa?
Many travelers on US visitor visa (B1/B2) who are on temporary or short term US visas may have to extend or renew their visa status in order to stay for longer durations in the US. The following is the procedure to extend the US short term visa:
- The visitor should complete the I-539 form for extension of a Non-Immigrant Visa
- The visitor should submit a letter stating the reason with detailed explanation for extension.
- The visitor should submit a copy of form I-94 that that you received on entry into the US
- The visitor should provide documentary evidence that the extended stay is temporary along with the booked return tickets
- The visitor should provide proof that the stay is completely taken care and you are financially covered and will not be a public charge in the United States.
Pay the required renewal fees
Pay $370 filling fees and +$85 for biometric fees depending on the petition at the USCIS.
Visa extension processing
The USCIS will issue a receipt with 13-digit case number on submission of the extension application.
The visitor should provide this case number to check the status of the application and its processing times (customer service number helpline number is: 1-800-375-5283).
Find the best coverage for travel insurance
Buy US Medical travel insurance different covered medical expenses.
Know more »
Compare quotes online for best tourist visa health insurance USA.
Know more »
Best Travel Health Insurance in USA Information
Travel medical insurance USA resources
International travel insurance resources for USA visa holders.
Factors for travel insurance USA online
Factors for the best travel insurance to USA.
Types of USA tourist insurance online
Different types of tourist insurance for USA.
USA Vacation insurance claims procedure
Trip insurance claims process for getting medical care.
