Frequently asked questions and answers regarding US J1- J2 visa travel insurance

J1/J2 visa insurance frequently asked questions

What is a J-1 visa?

A J-1 visa is a stamp in a person's passport, required (except in the case of Canadians) for people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents to enter the United States. The J-1 visa is intended for, among others, scholars who want to come to the US temporarily to teach in a college or university, do research, or both.

What are the insurance requirements specified by the US state department to have and maintain the J1 or J2 visa ?

The Department of State has established the following requirements for the type and amounts of coverage required to maintain J-1 or J-2 status:

J1 Scholar (Exchange Visitor Visa) Medical Insurance policy must provide "medical benefits of at least $50,000 for each accident or illness." It means that an acceptable policy couldn't set a maximum lower than $50,000 in benefits for each accident or illness. However, starting May 15, 2015 this maximum will be increased to $100,000. Students with existing policies should be able to upgrade their policies this one time by paying the increased rate.
If a J visa holder dies in the U.S., then 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.
J1 Scholar (Exchange Visitor Visa) Medical Insurance policy may establish a waiting period before it covers pre-existing conditions (that is, health problems you had before you bought the insurance), as long as the waiting period is reasonable by current standards in the insurance business.
If you elect to satisfy the insurance requirement through a policy issued in your home country, the policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of your government. Otherwise, the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by Department of State (an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or better, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-1" or better, a Standard & Poor's Claims-Paying Ability rating of "A-" or better, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of "B+" or better).

These requirements apply to both J-1 students and scholars and to their J-2 dependent spouses and children.

What can happen if I do not satisfy this insurance requirement?

To underscore the seriousness with which the Department of State views health insurance, the new regulations require your J program sponsor to terminate your status in the U.S. if you willfully fail to comply with the insurance requirement.

Who is a "visiting foreign scholar?

A visiting foreign scholar is a person who comes to the university temporarily, mainly to teach, do research, or both. The broad term "visiting foreign scholar" encompasses, for example, Fulbright scholars who come to teach, post doctoral research fellows, and visiting professors. Some foreign scholars are at the university for only a few days; others remain for three years. Visiting foreign scholars come to the University for academic enterprises, not for non-academic employment. Visiting foreign scholars normally hold a visa known as a J-1 or exchange-visitor visa. Some people who acquire J-1 status are subject to what is known as the two-year, home-country physical presence requirement. Dependents (spouses and children below the age of 21 of J1 visa holder) are in a status called J-2.

What is the process for bringing a visiting foreign scholar to the United States?

The prospective scholar must then obtain a "visa" from the United States embassy or a United States consulate in his or her own country. (Citizens and permanent residents of Canada need neither a passport nor a visa to enter the United States.) To obtain a J-1 visa from an American embassy or consular post abroad, the prospective scholar must have a Form DS-2019 from the American institute inviting the scholar.

Is it possible to update contact information (in particular Mailing Address provided at the time of subscription) if I will move to another apartment?

Yes. You have access to a website that will have all of your information which you can update address and renew your policy, check effective/end dates, etc. We can also help you with this via email or phone.

Upon J1 VISA extension, is it possible to update the "Date of Return to Home Country" provided at the time of subscription?

As long as you purchase the first time for at least three months, you will be able to renew or extend the policy up to 12 months from the start date and then renew for up to five years

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Best international student travel insurance covid 19

Covid 19 J1 visa coronavirus insurance for exchange scholars in the US

There are many J1 visa holders currently in the US either without proper J visa coronavirus health insurance, or having medical insurance that does not provide coverage for Covid 19. At American Visitor Insurance, we are committed to getting you the best Covid19 J1 visa medical insurance coverage available in these uncertain times.
These are some of the few Covid 19 J1 visa health insurance.

The Student Secure insurance plans offered by Tokio Marine HCC (HCCMIS) covers Covid19 illness if it is purchased after May 15th 2020.
Seven Corners offers Covid19 Liaison Student Plus insurance J1 visa holders in the US.
International Medical Group is offering coverage for Covid19 medical expenses. The popular Covid19 international student health insurance plans by IMG that offer coverage for medical expenses from coronavirus are Patriot Exchange Program, Student Health Advantage, Student Health Advantage Platinum.

These plans satisfy J visa requirements and cover medical expenses arising from Covid19 illness. The Covid19 treatment benefit is available for COVID-19 (the disease); SARS-Cov-2 (the virus); and any mutation or variation of SARS-CoV-2.
There are also many J1 visa holders currently stranded in the US who are not enrolled in any courses. In this situation they are not limited to buying j1 visa insurance and can buy short term US visitors medical insurance. The visitors health insurance plans are cheaper and ideal for exchange scholars in the US while they are not enrolled in courses. J1 visa holders can review and compare visitor insurance plans and find Covid 19 USA J1 visa insurance coverage that fit your needs. Please know we are here to help you make the best, informed decision to get Covid 19 J visa health insurance! Let us know how we can assist you. Feel free to contact us by email or phone at any time.

J1 and J2 holders plan options

Hi,

I have seen, many Atlas plans: Atlas America and Atlas Exchange (6/12 month pre-existing), which is the correct one for me? Please provide a personalized quote. Travelling from South Africa, on J2 Visa, from 7 August 2017 to 24 June 2018. DOB is 05/03/1989. Must meet J2 requirements. My husband is on J1 and on Harvard University Health Care $0 Deductible and 0/100 coinsurance. How do the Atlas plans compare to IMG Patriot Exchange Program insurance (especially for J2 visa insurance requirements)?
Thank you,
Kasandra

Dear Kasandra,

Thank you for contacting us at American Visitor Insurance for your J1 Visa insurance needs!. The Atlas plan that we would suggest you is the Atlas America plan. This is basically a comprehensive plan suitable for visitors but it also qualifies for J2 and F2 Visa holders sometimes. You can check with your University to make sure they are ok with this plan. The Patriot Exchange plan is basically for J1 visa and J2 Visa holders. It satisfies the J Visa requirements. It is unique student plan where it is available only for J2 holders when the J1 holder is not on the plan. Most of the student plans on our site do not have this benefit. Below I have listed the details for both these plans:

Plan Details Brochure Buy Now

Plan Details Brochure Buy Now

In the above page you can get a personalized quote. But I am including that here for your convenience. I have entered your age as 28. For the time period you have specified, this plan costs $697.07 for a policy maximum of $50,000 and a deductible of $100. Policy maximum $100,000 premium is 808.50 Policy maximum $250,000 premium is 864.49 Policy maximum $500,000 premium is 911.90.You can use our compare coverage link given below to compare these plans for your reference: Compare Coverage
Please let us know if we can help in any further.

Regards,
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