As an Exchange Visitor in the U.S. you must carry health insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum criteria for yourself and your J-2 dependents for the full duration of your time in the U.S. in J visa status. Government regulations state that if you willfully fail to carry the minimum coverage of health insurance for yourself and your dependents, your J-1 sponsor must terminate your program and report the termination to the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP), the government office located in the Department of State that controls this visa program.

The specific text regarding the insurance requirement information appears in the Exchange Visitor Regulations, Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, on the Department of State website.

You may purchase the required insurance policy after you arrive in the U.S., but if you choose to do so, you should purchase traveler's insurance to guarantee coverage until your policy in the U.S. takes effect. Be sure your traveler's insurance covers accidents, illness while you travel, and is not just financial insurance against cancellation of your trip.

Keep in mind that after you have purchased a plan, it is your responsibility to contact your insurance company for questions regarding policy coverage, claims processing and assistance.

The minimum Department of State insurance guidelines:

  • 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.
  • Policy must be secured to meet the benefits requirements and be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-I" 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. Alternatively, the sponsor may ascertain that the participant's policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country.