F1 Student Visa Insurance

International Students studying in the USA are most typically entering on an F1 Visa, or F2 for dependents. Here are all the details you need to know about your visa, and how it relates to health insurance.

What is an F1 Visa?

An F1 visa is a non-immigrant visa given to most international students who want to study in the USA. The visa is issued by the US Department of State, after you have been accepted to study at a private elementary school, high school, college, seminary, conservatory, English language school (ESL) or an academic institution.
Once the visa is approved, students can arrive in the US up to 30 days before their classes begin, but must maintain the visa throughout their studies, and then leave the country within 60 days after their program has been completed. Students also have the option to extend their stay in the USA through a change of status, or through programs such as OPT. 

F1 Visa Insurance Requirements

 International students on an F1 visa do not have any government related health insurance requirements to meet when studying in the USA. With this in mind, and because having adequate health insurance is so important, F1 visa holders and their dependents should follow the insurance guidelines set by their school.
Some institutions will require all of their international students to buy school-sponsored insurance coverage, while others will allow these students to purchase a plan of their own choosing. Regardless of the health insurance requirements that your school may have, be sure to remember that purchasing appropriate insurance is the only way to protect against unforeseen medical bills.