Health Insurance Requirements for J-1 Scholars

J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents must be covered by sickness and accident insurance for the duration of their stay in the United States. Failure to purchase such insurance may lead to loss of legal immigration status and termination from the Exchange Visitor Program. These Department of State (DOS) regulations are published in the Code of Federal Regulations [22 CFR 62.14].

Minimum health insurance coverage must provide all of the following:

• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
• In case of death, repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
• In case of serious illness or injury, payment of expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the Exchange Visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000;
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

The MIT employee health plans and the MIT Affiliate Health Plan meet all of the J-1 requirements. Health insurance coverage backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the Exchange Visitor's home country meets the Department of State (DOS) requirements.

The regulations continue: "An Exchange Visitor who willfully fails to maintain the insurance coverage set forth above . . . or who makes a material misrepresentation to the sponsor [Massachusetts Institute of Technology] concerning such coverage shall be deemed to be in violation of these regulations and shall be subject to termination as a participant." [22 CFR 62.14(h)]

All J-1 scholars at MIT must sign a Statement of Compliance form for the International Scholars Office stating that they understand and will comply with the J Exchange Visitor Program health insurance requirements as outlined above.

Click here for more information on health insurance options for J-1 Exchange Visitors and other MIT visitors and affiliates.

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Last Updated: May 2009