Health Insurance Requirements for the F1 Visa

The idea of insurance can be a foreign concept to students unfamiliar with the United States health care system. It is highly recommended that you have an active international student health insurance throughout your studies in the US. Due to the high cost of health care in the United States, going without health insurance can be detrimental to a student if they fall ill or if they are injured in an accident.

International Student Health Insurance Requirements

Unlike the J-1 visa, there are no specific insurance requirements for F visas set forth by the US Department of State; this includes both F-1 and F-2 visa holders. Instead, many universities and colleges require their international students to carry international student health insurance for the entire period they are enrolled in school. These international student insurance requirements can vary depending on your university or college, and can apply to any dependents traveling with you as well.

Need your waiver signed? Purchase your plan and email your waiver form to us for completion within 24 hours!

Health Insurance Waiver Option

Some universities will offer an international student health insurance plan of their own. These university-sponsored plans can be quite expensive. However, most universities give the international students the option to waive the university’s mandated coverage if the student can provide proof of comparableinternational student health insurancecoverage. Plans like the Student Secure meet most school requirements offering comparable, more affordable coverage. This plan is ideal for F-1 visa holders because it is renewable as long as you keep full-time student status. The Student Secure plan is offered in three levels – Smart, Budget, and Select, so that you can choose the level that will meet your university’s international student health insurance requirements.

If your university allows you to waive their school plan, you may be asked to provide a waiver form signed by the insurance company or some other proof of insurance coverage.

Mandatory Student Health Insurance

Some universities offer a group health insurance plan to all their international students. In some cases, these schools will not allow you to waive out of their insurance plan. In cases like this, you will be required to enroll and you will be billed for the insurance as part of your tuition. If you are an international student required to be insured on your group’s insurance plan, be sure to check whether coverage continues during school breaks and also during OPT.

No School Insurance Requirements

Other universities, typically smaller institutions, do not set specific international student insurance requirements. In this case, you can choose the insurance plan that best fits your needs and budget. It’s important to make sure that the health insurance plan you choose provides comprehensive coverage. You will want to review exclusions, ensure that the plan is through a reputable company, and that it will cover your needs throughout the school year. Many international students choose the Student Secure plan as it provides three levels of coverage allowing you to choose the plan that works best for you. The plan has an A+ rating and provides coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, medical evacuation, and repatriation.

Not sure what your school’s insurance requirements are?

To view your university’s international student insurance requirements and the insurance plans that we offer that will meet the school’s waiver requirements, check out our School Requirements section.

Although the insurance requirements at your school can vary, some of the most common international student insurance requirements include:

• Medical Coverage 
  Your university may require a minimum amount of medical coverage on your insurance plan. This dollar amount sets the minimum limit of eligible medical expenses that your insurance plan will pay. It can range anywhere from $50,000 worth of coverage to an unlimited amount.


• Repatriation of Remains
  Repatriation of Remains, also known as the Return of Mortal Remains, provides financial assistance in the event of death while outside of your home country. In an unfortunate event like this, shipping your remains to your family back home can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive. This coverage will provide the proper planning, logistics, and financial coverage for your family members.


• Emergency Medical Evacuation
  Another important aspect of international student health insurance is emergency medical evacuation. This type of coverage provides financial assistance in the event that the local facilities in which you fall injured or ill do not have the capacity to give you proper care. If deemed necessary by the acting physician and your insurance company, this coverage will provide transportation to the nearest facility that can properly treat your condition. This type of coverage does not guarantee travel back to your home country in this situation unless deemed necessary by your attending physician.