Country Information USA
Health insurance for foreign students in the USA
Studying in the USA is very popular among international high school graduates. About 1000000 foreign students visit the United States every year in order to participate in an undergraduate or graduate program. One reason for the popularity of the USA among international students is the high quality of the US universities. Foreign students in the USA can choose between numerous universities with a high position in international rankings.
During your study in the USA you have the opportunity to improve your language skills in English and many other languages, which are spoken by your fellow students. Additonally there is enough time to dive into in the American culture and experience the “land of opportunites” on your own. Many international students in the USA are so enthusiastic about their stay that they are looking for a job in the USA after their study.
Eligible group
If you want to study in the USA you must obtain a student visa. All visas can only be applied for in a US Consulate in your home country. Applicants between 14 and 79 years of age must be present in person and conduct a short interview in order to apply for the visa.
You must apply for an F-1 visa if you plan to study at an accredited US college or university.
Following requirements have to be met:
- you have to proof that you have a confirmation at a US university, college or language school, which is accepted by the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) in form of a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20)
- you have to participate in a full-time study program
- your home country must be outside of the USA
- you have to proof that you have basic english skills
- you have to proof that you have sufficient financial resources
- you have to proof that you intent to leave the USA when your visa expires
The F1 visa is valid for a maximum period of five years. The exact period is marked on the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) and depends on the program you select. As an international language student in the USA with an F-1 visa you can enter the USA 30 days before the start of the program and stay in the USA for a maximum period of 60 days after the end of the program.
Legal basics about health insurance for students in the USA
In contrast to many other countries the USA has no general statutory health care system. Beside the governmental programs for special groups (like veterans, elderly citizens, people with disabilities) the medical care is seen as a privat matter which you have to take care of yourself. If you become a foreign student in the USA and enter the country with an F-1 visa for international students there is no set of government mandated requirements for your health insurance. Instead you have to take out a health insurance plan that meets the requirements of your educational institution.
As a foreign student in the USA you may be required to take out the health insurance plan of your educational institution or you have the option to choose an insurance plan on your own. If you have the option to choose your insurance plan, you have to check the individualized insurance requirements of your educational institution. If your alternative plan meets all requirements, your insurance company has to fill out a so called “waiver form” (or compliance form), in order to ensure that all requirements are met.
Insurance advice
Every country has its own healthcare system. On the basis of characteristics like your home country, the duration of your stay, the reason of your stay and the destination of your trip different needs for health insurance appear. Our organistion recommends Care Concept AG from Germany for health insurance solutions abroad. Click here for further informations about Care Concept AG.
As a foreign language student in the USA you are not insured through the statutory health insurance in your home country. In order to make the exceptionally high costs for medical care in the USA controllable it is absolutely necessary to take out a health insurance plan for your time as a foreign student in the USA. If you have the option to choose a health insurance plan on your own, we recommend the health insurance Care Discover. Please note that because of different local requirements of the universities and their short-term changes it will be decided in individual cases whether the travel health insurance Care Discover is accepted for study in the USA or not.
Students in the USA from Germany and Austria
Foreign Students in the USA from Germany and Austria can take out the travel health insurance Care College USA. It meets the requirements of all American and Canadian universities, the State Department and all American institutions as well as the requirements for the J1 / J2 visa and the F1 / F2 visa. Here you can find further information on the travel health insurance Care College USA.
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