Base Plan
Starting at
$54 per month
$100,000 Maximum
$500 Deductible
$25,000 Repatriation
$50,000 Medical Evacuation
Coverage for COVID-19
Health Insurance for
J1 Visa Exchange Participants
Designed for international students, visiting scholars, and others enrolled in an educational or cultural exchange program.
Komal Allaparthi2024-02-07Blake Neumer- This guy is really helpful and have lot of patience and he will explain each and everything very clearly, Have to give him a big applauseAlessio Mazzolini2023-12-20We have always received great feedbacks from all of our clients about Lewerglobal health insurance services. We have used them with all of our faculty-led study abroad programs and their costumer service, prices and policy coverage, have always been great.alex2023-12-19Great costumer service and prices. I highly recommend Lewerglobal to anyone looking for a great health insurance.PJ Shoulders2023-12-19We use Lewerglobal health insurance for all our outbound faculty-led study abroad programs and their insurance options, pricing, and customer service are top notch. Highly recommend!Brian Palmer2023-12-19Great customer service. Exceeds expectations. Have worked with them pre- and post-covid. I know it was a lot of work, picking up the pieces after the pandemic, but I could count on Lewerglobal the whole time.Erin Caswell2023-09-05Minseok Jo2023-06-30LewerGlobal provides an excellent insurance plan for international students. I was very worried about medical costs in the U.S., but I feel fortunate to have discovered this company. I am highly satisfied.Jill Munro2023-05-11I utilized this insurance for a 10 day trip to Europe. It was convenient, and affordable and covered beyond what I expected. I have worked with Lewermark through my job and I have never been disappointed with their customer service and/or level of care. I would recommend them highly to anyone.Margo Aldridge2023-04-25After a number of years purchasing travel insurance, I have found a fabulous value for what I feel is best for me. It’s through Lewerglobal. Easy to understand and purchase online. I am going to make it my go to travel insurance plan for all of my future travels!Dias Mashikov (MashikovSpace)2022-09-30I want LewerGlobal to raise the salary for the guy named Blake - he is an amazing customer support specialist! Super welcoming service where people sincerely want to help you
J1 VISA STUDENT & SCHOLAR
HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS
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Base Plan
Recommended
Plan
Starting at
$73 per month
$250,000 Maximum
$100 Deductible
$25,000 Repatriation
$50,000 Medical Evacuation
Coverage for COVID-19
J1 Enhanced Plan
Starting at
$98 per month
$500,000 Maximum
$0 Deductible
$25,000 Repatriation
$50,000 Medical Evacuation
Coverage for COVID-19
The materials and information contained in this web site are provided "as is" and without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. This includes but is not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Lewerglobal assumes no liability of any kind, whether in contract, tort, strict liability or any other type of liability, for damages of any kind incurred as a result of the use of this web site.
Rates are shown in United States (U.S.) dollars. Rates shown on this website are illustrative only; actual premiums, rates and terms of coverage will only be determined after you apply for insurance and that application is accepted. For costs and further details of the coverage, contact Lewerglobal. Rates shown are based on 30 days of coverage.Benefits are subject to exclusions and limitations, and are payable only at Usual, Reasonable, and Customary charges.Please note that these plans do not meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). LG-0723-OPT-02.
Nothing on this website supersedes in any way the Certificate of Insurance and governing documents (together the “Insurance Contract”).
The Insurance Contract is the only source of actual benefits provided.
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J1 Visa Health Insurance: Top 5 FAQs Answered
If you are planning to come to the United States on a J1 visa, you are required to obtain health insurance that meets specific requirements set by U.S. government regulations. The U.S. does not have universal healthcare, so you need to have health insurance that covers day-to-day health needs, like minor illnesses and prescription drugs, and emergencies requiring more intensive medical care.
Your sponsoring organization may select a health insurance plan you are required to purchase. If not, you will be responsible for finding and purchasing adequate coverage. Your program sponsor must show the U.S. Department of State that you have an insurance policy that meets health insurance requirements before leaving your home country.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the J1 visa, J1 visa health insurance, and how to purchase coverage on your own so you can find the best plan to fit your needs.
- What is a J1 visa?
The J1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, and a common visa for international scholars, short-term workers, exchange visitors, and exchange students. To be approved for a J1 visa, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as English language proficiency, and have a sponsoring organization (such as a university, private organization, or government entity).
The U.S. government introduced the J1 Exchange Program in 1961 to help build relationships with other countries by providing visitors training and educational opportunities. The main goal is for J visa holders to return with their new skills to help advance their home country. So with any exchange visitor program, there are certain rules you need to follow.
With any exchange visitor program, there are certain rules that must be followed. One of the most common J visa rules, is the two-year home country physical presence requirement.
According to the U.S. Department of State, exchange visitors must return home if they are part of one of the following:
- U.S. government-funded program: If the U.S. is fully, partly, or indirectly paying for thier education or training.
- Graduate medical education or training: If they’re receiving medical education or training in the U.S.
- Specialized knowledge or skill: If their home country’s government lists their specialized knowledge or skill in its specialized skill list.
If you have a two-year home-country requirement, you must return home for at least two years before you can do things like, work on an H-1B visa, apply for a U.S. green card, receive an immigrant visa from your home country’s U.S. embassy, or even receive a fiancé visa.
There are some exceptions to the two-year rule if you are unable to return to your home country, and an application process to follow.
Common J visa exchange visitors include:
- Au pairs
- Camp counselors
- Interns
- Physicians
- Professors and research scholars
- College/university students
- Summer workers
- Teachers
- Trainees
Additionally, in order to be approved for a J1 visa, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as English language proficiency and have a sponsoring organization, such as a university, private organization, or government entity.
- Why do J1 students need health insurance coverage?
The U.S. Department of State requires J visa exchange visitors and their dependents to have health insurance while they’re in the United States. This requirement ensures that, in the event of an accident or sickness, everyone can receive medical care without being burdened with monumental costs. Failure to maintain adequate insurance coverage can result in serious trouble for J visa exchange visitors, including the potential to lose their legal status in the U.S. and be terminated from the exchange program.
- What are the J1 health insurance requirements?
According to the U.S. State Department, exchange visitors, as well as their dependents, must be enrolled in a health insurance plan with the following minimum coverage:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
- Expenses associated with medical evacuation to their home country in the amount of $50,000
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
If your program sponsor does not select a group plan for you to purchase, you will need to find and purchase an insurance plan that’s underwritten by an insurance company with one of the following:
- Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above
- An A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above
- A Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above; or
- A Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above
- Where can I buy J1 visa health insurance?
Before purchasing J1 visa health insurance, check with your sponsoring organization to see if they have selected a plan that you must purchase. If they have not, you need to find an insurance provider, such as Lewerglobal, that offers J1 visa health insurance plans that meet the State Department’s requirements. Once you purchase J1 visa health insurance, you will need to provide proof to your program sponsor.
It’s important to note that if you or your spouse will be working while you’re in the United States, you may be able to obtain adequate health insurance coverage through that employer. This is common for those working at U.S. colleges or universities, so be sure to check your employment details before purchasing coverage.
- Are my family members covered with J1 health insurance?
Family members, such as children under 21 years old and spouses who plan to accompany J1 visa holders to the U.S., will receive J2 visas. The U.S. Department of State also requires J2 visa holders to meet the same health insurance requirements as J1 visa holders. If your program sponsor or employer is providing you with a group insurance plan, your J2 dependents may also be eligible for coverage under that plan.
Lewerglobal J1 Visa Health Insurance
Lewerglobal offers J1 visa health insurance coverage that meets U.S. State Department requirements. Lewerglobal plans are designed to cover medical expenses for everyday care, as well as various kinds of emergencies. They also cover medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. To start reviewing our plans and to contact our team with any questions, please visit our J1 exchange visitor page.