• Home
  • Plans
  • Contact
  • About
  • Blog
    • J1 Visa Health Insurance Requirements

J1 Visa Health Insurance

Specially for Exchange Visitors & Students, J2 Visa Holders

BBB Accredited Business         VA Chamber of Commerce   Call 877.593.5403

Celebrating Christmas as an Exchange Student in the USA

December 12, 2018 by Chiranth Nataraj

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. For many, it is a time to spend with family and friends, eat great food, and exchange gifts. However, for an international student studying in the United States, Christmas can be difficult. Plane ticket prices are high, so many students opt to spend their holiday away from their respective countries. However, there are ways to brighten the holiday up if you are an international student.

christmas

 

Find Out How Americans Celebrate Christmas

As you discover how Americans celebrate Christmas, it may surprise you to find out that many of the Christmas traditions in the U.S. are not much different from those in your native country. You will notice that Americans enjoy preparing food and gathering with family and friends for their Christmas dinner. Some attend church on Christmas Eve while others prefer to stay home. Decorations for Christmas trees and homes are a tradition as is baking cookies.

Staying on Campus

Although many international students go home for Christmas, there are students just like you who remain on campus for Christmas. Perhaps it is time to get together with some fellow students on campus and enjoy this time together? Chances are they are as confused as you are regarding the holiday so why not reach out to them and plan a fun time. Many universities plan Christmas events for students remaining on campus for Christmas so check to see if your school has anything planned. Take the initiative and schedule a Christmas dinner or party for other students staying on campus. Each person can prepare a dish or share a Christmas tradition. Enjoying each other’s company will help in easing the loneliness felt by being away from home.

Take a Christmas Trip

This Christmas could be the perfect time to visit a place you have always wanted to go. A fun trip is an ideal way to spend a memorable Christmas while staying too busy to be homesick. A snowy ski resort, shopping in a major city like New York, or even lying on a beach are all great ways to spend your Christmas away from home. No matter which destination you choose, chances are you will find festive celebrations and good times all over the country.

Go Home With a Friend

As you attend a university, remember that it is the ideal time to make friends with other international and native students. There may be an invitation to spend Christmas with a friend’s family. This invitation is an opportunity to experience new cultural traditions. Not to mention an incredible experience for an international student who has never celebrated Christmas.

Help Someone in Need

Spending Christmas away from home is lonely, and so is spending Christmas on the streets. Life is challenging for the homeless in America and this time of the year only magnifies feelings of isolation and despair. Volunteering this Christmas by helping those who are less fortunate is a fantastic way to spread the spirit of Christmas to all. Food and a place to sleep is something many of us take for granted, but for the homeless, it is the best gift they can receive. Just a few hours of your time could make a person’s entire year. Check in with your local community shelters for information about ways to help the less fortunate this Christmas.

Take Care of Yourself

As an international exchange student, you may find yourself in need of help. The last thing you want to do for your first Christmas abroad is to get sick. Not only will an illness put a stop to your fun time, but it may also cause financial strain. However, if you do become ill, exchange scholar health insurance can help you. J visa insurance provides illness and accident expense protection, can help you locate a doctor, and can pay for the treatment. Check out and be aware of what your health insurance policy covers.

Christmas is coming, and hopefully, your Christmas away from home will be unique. Whether you choose to stay on campus celebrating with friends, take that dream trip, or help those who desperately need help, make this holiday a memorable one. Merry Christmas!

Filed Under: Education, Exchange program, J1 Visa, J1 Visa Health Insurance Tagged With: christmas, exchange program, health insurance

10 Things International Students Will Need When Studying in the US

June 22, 2016 by Chiranth Nataraj

The United States has the largest population of international students in the world. More than 800,000 students choose the states to educate themselves every year. It’s a life experience they cannot get in their home country. While only 4% of students enrolled in universities and colleges are international, this percentage is growing quickly.

J1-Students

If you’re planning on joining the thousands of international students in the United States, it’s important to prepare yourself with everything you’ll need when you’re away from home. The following are 10 things every international student needs when studying in the states.

#1: Student Visa
The student visa is the most important thing you’ll need when studying in the United States. There are three student visas:

  • F1 Visa for Academic Studies
  • J1 Visa for Practical Training
  • M1 Visa for Non-Academic/Vocational Studies

#2: Prove You Are Academically Eligible
When you apply for one of these visas, you will need to prove you are academically eligible. This means you are enrolled in an educational program in the United States.

#3: Prove You Are Financially Stable
You will also need to prove you are financially stable because you will not be able to work with these visas while in the U.S.

#4: Show You Have Health Insurance
You must also have health insurance in case you need any medical assistance while in the states.
Bring your medical records with you when you come to the United States. If you’re studying at a university or college, visit the medical center first. You will be able to learn more about the health care options they offer international students and know where you should take your medical record for safe keeping.

#5: Find Out How to Get Health Insurance If You Don’t Have It
The program you are in for studying abroad probably also has health care options you can take advantage for while in the United States. It’s important to know you must have health insurance when living/studying in the states. It is the law.

#6: Identify How You’ll Connect with Loved Ones
It’s important to stay connected with loved ones while in the United States. It can be stressful being in a different country by yourself, and your family can make the adjustment much easier. Many international students use Skype, Google Hangouts, Viber, WhatsApp, and Snapchat to stay in touch with people across the world, but you can also use a mobile phone. It’s wise to look into international rates for calls, so you don’t end up with a large bill to pay.

Don’t forget about regular mail. It may take longer for people to get your messages, but it’s still a great way to stay connected on a deeper level. When you sit down and write a letter, you’ll be able to get into more detail about your time in the states.

#7: Consider Taking a Trip
Many people will explore the United States before settling into their program. Think about if you would like to do that, so you can start to make arrangements.

#8: Schedule the Travel Arrangements
It’s important to get all of your travel arrangement ahead of time, so you can ensure you get to your destination in plenty of time. This is especially true if you want to take some trips before you start the program.
Be sure to research and book:

  • Airfare
  • Trains
  • Buses
  • Vehicles
  • Hotels

If you simply want to go from your home country to the university, college, or training center, speak to the school. They often have resources to help you get to your final destination easily and sometimes, for much less money. Many academic institutions are used to helping international students, so this is something they are ready to assist with whenever you need the assistance.

#9: Bring the Essentials
Besides all of the paperwork you need for entering the United States, you will want to bring the following items, so you can make your adjustment as easy as possible:

  • Clothing for the climate
  • Special trinkets that will help you feel closer to home
  • Laptop/computer/electronics
  • Books or magazines in your native language
  • Special bedding
  • Medications

Anything you usually bring with you when you go on vacation will help you get acclimated to the United States. Just know that if you ever need anything, you can go to the store to purchase it. You can also always have a loved one ship you anything that you may forget.

#10: Make a List and Use It
A great way to remember everything you want to bring is to start a list early. That way you can add to the list as you remember things and go off the list when you’re packing.

Now you know what to bring when studying in the United States. Get ready to have the best life experience you’ve ever had and may ever have!

Filed Under: student visa Tagged With: health insurance, international student

J1 Visa Health Insurance Gives You Total Cover

July 12, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

J1 visa health insurance plan offers coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, maternity, mental health and pre-existing conditions.

Every month, almost 170,000 students and scholars come on a J1 visa to study, work and teach in the US. As a J1 visa holder, a student or a scholar can come to the US to participate in an exchange visitor program. Whether you are visiting the US as an exchange visitor, scholar or a research student, having health insurance is a great option because most often, exchange visitors find it difficult to cope with health care expenses in US. Your insurance plan will help you deal with your hospital expenses in the best possible way, as it offers coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization and mental health. Whether it is getting ambulance services on urgent notice, buying prescription drugs or getting hospital care, health insurance offers total medical protection.US flagJ1 visa health insurance is exclusively designed for exchange visitors to the US. It offers a great flexibility in terms of insurance duration. You can choose it for one month or you can get a plan for five years. All these plans are renewable which makes it easy to choose from monthly, quarterly or annual plans. It is easy to find a plan tailored to your specific needs to get several benefits. If you are traveling to the US on a J1 visa, you and any family members traveling with you will be required to have health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your trip. If you are traveling with your family, then you should consider an insurance plan that caters to the health needs of your family members.

Most schools and sponsoring organizations provide mandatory health insurance that meets the J1 visa requirements. If your school or sponsor does not provide health insurance coverage, then you can purchase your own plan and take your pick from a variety of options. Remember, if you do not have visitor health insurance, your visa will no longer be valid and your sponsor will have no choice but to terminate your exchange visitor program. Do remember that there are some regulations concerning your health insurance plan. Your plan should provide benefit of a minimum of $50,000 for accidents and illnesses. There is a deductible limit of $500, which means that a deductible should be less than this limit for an illness or accident. The repatriation limit must be around $7500; the rating of your insurance company must be “A” or more. If the exchange visitor wants to satisfy the requirements of health insurance as per the rules of the home country, then such a plan must be backed by full credit and faith of the home country. However, you need not worry, as there are many insurance providers in the US who are specialized in providing health insurance policies that conform to all the regulations set by the Department of State.

With the wide range of benefits offered by health insurance, exchange scholars can get financial aid for medical expenses. This comes in handy especially in a country like the US, where medical care is very expensive. Before purchasing insurance, it is good to research your options and choose a plan that best meets your needs. Remember to read the plan brochure to understand the benefits and the coverage of the plan you are purchasing. Sometimes, pre existing conditions are not covered, that is, any injuries or illnesses that exist at the time or prior to the activation of the insurance plan. It is a good idea to go through the details of your plan for any conditions and exclusions. With a health insurance plan in place, exchange students and scholars visiting the US can pursue their academic programs in peace.

Filed Under: J1 Visa Health Insurance Tagged With: health insurance, J1 visa

arrow

J1 Visa Insurance Quote

Recent Tweets

Tweets by studentguardusa

Return to top of page

Privacy  Disclaimer  SITEMAP