• Countries & Cities

  • • • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Colombia
      • Cuba
      • Dubai
      • Ecuador
      • European Schengen Countries
      • French Polynesia
      • Iran
      • Israel
    • • Jamaica
      • Japan
      • Jordan
      • Laos
      • Lebanon
      • Nepal
      • Pakistan
      • Philippines
      • Puerto Rico
      • Qatar
    • • Russia
      • Rwanda
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Seychelles
      • Singapore
      • St. Maarten
      • Thailand
      • Ukraine
      • United Arab Emirates
      • United Kingdom
      • United States

^{Last updated January 24, 2023}

Traveling abroad can be an exciting experience. While preparing for your trip, you will likely spend lot of your time planning and making arrangements for your visa, flights and accommodations, researching tourist attractions, and buying clothes and toiletries. One thing you don't want to forget is travel insurance. There is always a chance you will become sick or injured in a foreign country, and your domestic insurance may be very limited, or may not provide any coverage at all. This is a major reason why it is important to purchase proper travel medical insurance for traveling abroad.

Many countries worldwide have had to pick up the bill for medical expenses tourists incurred during their visit. As a result, more and more countries are requiring that travelers to their country carry proper travel insurance so that they aren't left with the financial burden of medical bills left unpaid by tourists. Furthermore, the coronavirus pandemic has led to many countries reevaluating their insurance requirements for visitors. The following countries have such requirements in effect now:

• Argentina

  Travel medical insurance covering COVID-19 is mandatory for all international visitors to Argentina. There is not a specific dollar amount that the insurance must cover, but it is required to provide coverage for all expenses related to COVID-19 medical treatment, quarantine, and transportation. 

  Argentina Travel Insurance
• Bolivia

  Every visitor to Bolivia is required to have travel medical insurance specifically covering medical emergencies, as well as the treatment of COVID-19. 

  Bolivia Travel Insurance
• Colombia

  Colombia has re-opened its borders to travelers from all countries. All visitors must fill out an online form within 72 hours before the flight. All visitors age 18 and older must also provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours of travel for rapid antigen tests, or within 72 hours of travel for PCR tests. They are also required to have travel medical insurance that covers coronavirus-related expenses and that lasts the full duration of the trip.

  Colombia Travel Insurance
• Cuba

  Those traveling to Cuba, including Cubans living abroad and visiting temporarily, are required to purchase travel medical insurance for visiting the island nation. As it has become relatively easier for some Americans to visit Cuba in recent years, there has been a significant increase in demand for Cuban tourism.

  Cuba Travel Insurance
• Dubai

  Foreigners visiting Dubai must present proof of travel medical insurance that covers COVID-19 just like any other sickness. The proof must be presented at the time of boarding.

  Dubai is the most visited city in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

  Dubai Travel Insurance
• Ecuador

  As of 2021, the Ecuadorian Congress has abolished travel insurance requirements for visitors to the country. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors must show proof of health or travel insurance in order to travel to the Galapagos Islands, which are a part of Ecuador.

  Ecuador Travel Insurance
• European Schengen Countries

  For those traveling to any of the 27 Schengen countries in Europe, if a person is required to obtain Schengen visa, they would require a compliant health insurance plan that would cover at least €30,000 Euros (EUR 30 000) in medical benefits, as well as provide the coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.

  Schengen Visa Insurance

  You can visit the link above to instantly purchase Schengen visa insurance and print the visa letter to take to the embassy or consulate.

  US citizens visiting Schengen countries for less than 90 days are not required to have visa. For any visit longer than that or for long term stay, a Schengen visa is required.

• Fiji
  
  As of May 1, 2022, Fiji states that "trusted travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage" is required to enter the country.
  
  In addition, all visitors to Fiji must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and book a rapid antigen test to be taken within 48-72 hours of arrival at https://entrytestfiji.com/. 

Fiji Travel Insurance
• Iran

  Valid travel medical insurance is an entry requirement for anyone trying to get an Iranian visa and must be shown upon landing at the international airport in Iran. If you do not have a valid travel health insurance plan, you will be required to buy one before you can enter Iran.

  Iran Travel Insurance
• Israel

  Israel requires all foreign visitors to purchase travel medical insurance that provides coverage for COVID-19.

  Israel Travel Insurance
• Jamaica
  
  Those traveling to Jamaica must enroll in the “Jamaica Cares” program for a fee of $40 to cover medical expenses related to COVID-19. The mandatory coverage consists of travel medical insurance coverage up to $100,000 per person, and on-island health coverage up to $50,000. Visitors are encouraged to purchase additional travel insurance coverage.
  Jamaica Travel Insurance
• Japan

  As of May, 2022, Japan is allowing extremely limited, guided tours to select groups of triple-vaccinated visitors from the United States, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand. These tours are exclusively arranged through the Japan Tourism Agency, and are limited to just 50 participants. Private health insurance is required for all participants.

  Japan Travel Insurance
• Jordan

  As of December, 2022, the Jordanian government states that all visitors must acknowledge that they will take full financial responsibility for all treatment costs if they become sick with COVID-19 and do not have travel insurance that provides coverage for it.

  Jordan Travel Insurance
• Laos

  Laos mandates all foreign citizens entering Laos to purchase travel medical insurance that provides COVID-19 coverage.

  Laos Travel Insurance
• Lebanon

  All tourists from all destinations need travel insurance that will cover the expense of coronavirus medical treatment if any tests come back positive or a traveler develops symptoms while visiting Lebanon.

  Lebanon Travel Insurance
• Nepal

  Tourists visiting Nepal are required to provide proof of travel medical insurance coverage for the duration of their trip.

  Nepal Travel Insurance
• Pakistan

  As of October 1, 2021, all visitors to Pakistan over the age of 17 must be fully vaccinated. Passengers who are medically advised against COVID vaccination and have proper documentation may be able to be exempted from the requirement. All visitors must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test. 
  
  All incoming visitors are required to have travel insurance that covers coronavirus for the full duration of their trip to Pakistan. All visitors are also required to submit their contact information to Pakistan before departure.
  

  Pakistan Travel Insurance
• Philippines
  

  All foreign nationals visiting the Philippines who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are required to show proof of travel insurance providing at least $35,000 in medical coverage, including coverage for the treatment of COVID-19. For visitors who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, travel insurance is optional, but highly recommended. 
  
  The Filipino government has also ended COVID testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors who have received at least one booster shot. Children age 12-17 are exempt from pre-departure testing if they can provide proof of full vaccination. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a vaccinated/boosted parent/guardian to be exempt from testing. Fully vaccinated adult visitors who have not received a booster shot will still have to submit a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure, or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure. 

  As of April, 2022, the Philippines is open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. However, those who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and able to provide proof of vaccination will be required to complete a facility-based quarantine at the first port of entry into the Philippines.

  Fully vaccinated visitors with proof of vaccination via a WHO certificate, VaxCertPH, a national or state digital certificate accepting VaxCertPH under a reciprocal agreement, or other proof of vaccination permitted by IATF have no such quarantine restrictions.

  Children under 12 years of age are exempt from vaccination requirements, but must follow the quarantine protocols of their parents or guardian. 

  Philippines Travel Insurance
• Puerto Rico

  As a United States territory, Puerto Rico is subject to the same travel requirements for international visitors as the rest of the US, starting November 8, 2021. 

  Exchange visitors in Puerto Rico on a J visa and their dependents are required by the U.S. Department of State to have medical insurance providing at least $100,000 per incident coverage, $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage, and $25,000 in repatriation of remains coverage.

  Puerto Rico Travel Insurance
• Qatar

  Expatriates living in Qatar are required to carry sufficient medical insurance.

  Since 2015, private companies are legally obligated to pay premiums on behalf of all of their expatriate employees.

  Qatar Travel Insurance
• Russia

  If your country requires visiting Russian citizens to have travel insurance before visiting your country, Russia requires you to get the same when visiting Russia.

  Russia Travel Insurance
• Rwanda

  Rwandan law requires that any person in Rwandan territory must possess adequate health insurance. If you attempt to enter the country without it, you will be required to purchase a health insurance plan on arrival. It is better to be prepared and purchase a plan in advance so you have better options and a better idea of what you’re buying.

  Rwanda Travel Insurance
• Saudi Arabia
  
  All visitors to Saudi Arabia are required to have health insurance that can provide coverage for the treatment of COVID-19. 
  
  As of March 5, 2022, Saudi Arabia as eliminated their COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated visitors. However, unvaccinated visitors may still be required to complete a mandatory quarantine period upon arrival.
  
Saudi Arabia Travel Insurance
• Seychelles

  Visitors must ensure that they have a valid travel insurance that provides coverage for COVID-19 treatment, quarantine and isolation for the duration of their stay in the Seychelles.

  Seychelles Travel Insurance
• Singapore

  Visitors entering Singapore under an Air Travel Pass (ATP) or the Reciprocal Green Lanes (RGL) are required to have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 medical and hospitalization costs for a minimum of $30,000. All short-term visitors must bring an electronic or physical copy of their insurance policy as proof of coverage.

  Similarly, for workers visiting Singapore, employers must buy COVID-19 travel medical insurance for any Work Permit, Training Work Permit, and S Pass holders. The policy must offer at least $10,000 in medical coverage if the worker tests positive for COVID-19 or shows symptoms within 14 days of arrival. The policy must also cover workers on pass-in-principle approvals (IPAs).
  
  Visitors entering Singapore from Malaysia, either by land or air, are required to have travel medical insurance providing a minimum of $20,000 in coverage if they are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for COVID-19. Visitors from Malaysia who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are exempt from the insurance requirement from April 1, 2022. 

  Singapore Travel Insurance
• St. Maarten

  As of August, 2021, St. Maarten requires all visitors to buy COVID-19 insurance from the St. Maarten government. The cost for insurance is $15 for visitors ages 15 and up, and free for visitors 14 and under. Visitors are encouraged to buy supplementary insurance to cover medical issues other than COVID-19. 

  St. Maarten Travel Insurance
• Thailand

  As of January 9, 2023, Thailand requires all visitors to provide proof of insurance covering COVID-19 if they are traveling onward to a country that requires a negative COVID-19 test result for entry.

  Thailand Travel Insurance
• Ukraine

  Ukraine requires visitors to have an insurance policy issued by an insurance company that is registered in Ukraine. The insurance must cover COVID-related medical expenses.

  Ukraine Travel Insurance
• United Arab Emirates

  Foreigners visiting United Arab Emirates (UAE) must present proof of travel medical insurance that covers COVID-19 just like any other sickness. The proof must be presented at the time of boarding.

  US citizens traveling to UAE for more than one month would need UAE visa. Citizens of many countries would need UAE visa to visit for any duration.

  United Arab Emirates Travel Insurance
• United Kingdom

  Travel health insurance isn't required for visitors to the UK; however, it is highly recommended to buy in case of unexpected medical emergencies. If you did not purchase travel medical insurance and medical treatment is necessary, you will be expected to pay the costs from your own pocket. If you decide to just leave the country with the bills unpaid, then you would likely not be approved for a visa the next time you want to visit.

  UK Travel Insurance
• United States

  For exchange visitors on J visa, the U.S. Department of State requires that every participant and their dependent(s) have medical insurance with at least $100,000 per incident coverage along with $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation and $25,000 in repatriation of remains coverage.
  
  The US reopened travel to fully vaccinated foreign nationals on November 8, 2021. And although insurance is not required for those on a visitor visa or other non-J visas, it is highly recommended. Healthcare costs in the US are among the highest in the world, and most visitors cannot afford healthcare in the United States without insurance. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all visitors to the US have visitors insurance that can cover them for new sicknesses and injuries for the duration of their trip.
  

  J Visa Insurance

It is important to keep in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation where the insurance and entry requirements for countries may change regularly. It is recommended to check the insurance requirements of your destination thoroughly, to make sure you are purchasing coverage that meets all current requirements of the country.

It is possible that you may be able to purchase travel insurance from a local provider in their country or at the airport, but you are mostly likely going to be charged higher premiums and/or get less coverage. If you wait, you would have to make an immediate decision in hurry, with no time to review, shop around or even understand what you're purchasing if you are forced to buy at the airport. Therefore, it is always advisable to buy travel insurance in advance, from the comfort of your home, when you are relaxed and have more time to make an informed decision.