The table below reviews the benefit options and coverage limits of popular insurance plans for J1 visa holders or exchange scholars. These plans satisfy the requirements set by the US consulates. Review and choose the plan that best suits your needs.
Patriot Exchange insurance offered by International Medical Group (IMG) is an excellent health insurance plan supporting J1 & J2 visa. It is ideal because Patriot Exchange can be purchased by the J2 dependent even if the J1 scholar is not part of the Patriot exchange plan, as long as he or she is covered by another plan offered by the research or educational institution.
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We have many plans that satisfy J visa requirements that work for both J1 and J2 Visa holders. Some US health insurance plans require that the J1 Visa holder is the primary applicant for the J2 visa holder to be eligible. If the J2 visa holder alone needs coverage, then the Patriot Exchange plan offered by International Medical Group (IMG) is available. 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.
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 and only then can a J2 visa holder be insured as part of that plan. However the Patriot Exchange plan offered by International Medical Group (IMG) can be purchased by the J2 visa holder without needing the J1 visa holder on that plan, as long as the J1 scholar is insured by the institution sponsoring the J visa holder.
The Patriot Exchange insurance plan is very affordable and has 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:
A J1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to individuals participating in exchange programs for educational, cultural, or professional purposes. These programs can include research, teaching, training, or international cultural exchange.
Yes, J visa health insurance is mandatory for J1 visa holders and their J2 dependents. The U.S. Department of State requires that J1 visa participants maintain adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of their program.
J1 visa health insurance must meet the U.S. government's specific requirements, including minimum coverage for medical benefits, medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, and meeting any state-specific insurance regulations.
While J1 visa holders can buy insurance from their home country, it's important to ensure that the coverage meets the U.S. government's requirements and provides sufficient coverage for the duration of the program. J1 visa holders can easily buy the best J visa insurance for their specific needs on American Visitor Insurance by comparing several plans.
Yes, there are insurance plans available on American Visitor Insurance that are designed for the needs of J1 visa holders and their J2 dependents. These plans provide the required J visa insurance coverage and benefits mandated by the U.S. Department of State
If a J1 visa holders do not have the required health insurance, they will be in violation of their J1 visa status. This could have serious consequences, including potential termination of the visa and possible difficulties with future visa applications.
J1 visa holders may be able to use their university's insurance plan if it meets the requirements set by the U.S. Department of State. It's important to confirm with the university's international office that their insurance plan complies with J1 visa regulations.
Yes, J2 dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old) can often be covered under the same insurance plan as the J1 visa holder. Many insurance plans on American Visitor Insurance allow for this dependent coverage.
When selecting insurance for J1 visa holders and their dependents, consider coverage limits, deductibles, co-payments, coverage for pre-existing conditions, network of healthcare providers, and the overall cost of the plan. J1 visa holders can compare several J visa plans on American Visitor Insurance and buy the best J visa insurance for their specific needs.
Yes, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a requirement for J1 visa health insurance. It covers the cost of transporting the insured person to their home country in case of a medical emergency that cannot be treated adequately in the U.S.