J-2 Visa Insurance — Insurance for Children and Spouses
If you are traveling to the USA on a J-1 visa with your dependent family members, they will be traveling under a J-2 visa. It's important to know that both you and your family are required to have health insurance for the entire time you are in the United States under the J visa program. Oftentimes, you will be required to show proof of health insurance during your consulate/embassy appointment to be issued your visa.Health Insurance Requirements for J-2 Visa Holders
All children and spouses on a J-2 visa will be required to carry insurance coverage that meets the same minimum requirements as a J-1 visa holder.
These requirements, as stated by the US Department of State , are:
- Medical Benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of Remains in the amount of $25,000
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
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A policy underwritten by an insurance carrier with:
- an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above;
- a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor's Claims paying Ability rating of "A-" or above;
- a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of "B+" or above;
- a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of "A-" or above;
- a Moody's Investor Services rating of "A3" or above;
No matter the insurance plan, J-1 and J-2 visa holders are required to have coverage starting the date they arrive in the US until they leave the country.
Types of Health Insurance Options for J-2 Visa Holders
J-2 visa holders may be eligible for a group or individual plan depending on the sponsoring organization and what they have set up for their participants. There are many ways that J-2 visa holders are enrolled in an insurance plan:
Insurance through Sponsor
Depending on the sponsoring organization, J-2 spouses and children may be eligible to enroll in their group plan which will meet the above requirements.
Insurance through Employer
J-1 or J-2 visa holders may have the option to work and their employer may offer health insurance coverage through their group plan. This can be true for visiting scholars, for example, who are employed through a college or university.
Individual Insurance Plan
Sponsors may not provide coverage for J visa holders, or they may only provide coverage for the J-1 visa holder and not the J-2 dependent. In cases like these, all J holders will still be required to maintain insurance coverage during their time in the US, but can purchase an individual plan instead.Individual Options for J-2 Visa Holders
If your sponsoring organization does not provide coverage for J-1 or J-2 visa holders, then you will need to enroll in an insurance plan that meets the listed requirements above for your entire duration in the US.
Here are a few different options that will meet and exceed these requirements, and can be purchased right online:
