Proper health insurance for immigrants is a new requirement before getting an immigrant visa to the U.S., as per the "Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Will Financially Burden the United States Healthcare System" issued by President Donald J. Trump on Oct 4, 2019. It is effective from Nov 3, 2019 onwards.

Immigrant visa allows individuals to travel to the U.S. within six months of issuance, and they become permanent residents (or green card holders) upon entry into the US.

While the United States provides some of the best healthcare in the world, it is also the most expensive. However, many immigrants coming to the U.S. may not realize and may remain uninsured, which can burden the healthcare system.

Many people immigrating to the U.S. may already have the necessary insurance through their employer or a family member, such as their spouse. However, those that aren't eligible to get medical insurance through family would need to get the approved health insurance through other means.

• U.S. Department of State Guidance

  Read Further

Immigrants can certainly get adequate insurance through domestic health insurance companies in the U.S., as long as they don't use a subsidy according to the Presidential Proclamation. Among several other alternatives, the following are acceptable as well under Section 1 (b):

(iii) a short-term limited duration health policy effective for a minimum of 364 days - or until the beginning of planned, extended travel outside the United States;

(vii) a visitor health insurance plan that provides adequate coverage for medical care for a minimum of 364 days - or until the beginning of planned, extended travel outside the United States;

It is important to know that an insurance plan needs to be purchased from a U.S. based company. Insurance plans purchased from an immigrant's home country would not meet the requirements. Many countries provide a visitor health insurance plan for maximum of 180 days which would not work. Some countries provide an immigrant visa medical insurance for 3 months which would not be valid either.

Fortunately, there are several insurance plans available from U.S. based insurance companies that would qualify for adequate health insurance, as per the current rules.

You can buy Immigrant Visa Medical Insurance easily. You can get the instant quotes from multiple products, compare them side by side and make an instant purchase online. You will download the visa letter immediately which you can print and take it to the US consulate or embassy so that they can issue your immigrant visa.

Many of the immigrant visa health insurance plans are available only if they are purchased before arrival into the US (before becoming green card holder). In any case, it is a requirement to purchase before the immigrant visa is issued.

It is important to know that such short-term health insurance plans are generally designed to cover any new medical conditions, injuries or accidents that may occur after the effective date of the policy. They will not cover routine maintenance of pre-existing conditions, maternity, birth control or preventive checkups. However, some of the plans will provide coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions, an unforeseen emergency occurring without any prior warning or symptoms and the urgent treatment is taken within 24 hours.

If you have any questions about the insurance plan best for you or your family, contact us for assistance.

• Immigrant Visa Medical Insurance, FAQs

  Read Further