J-1 Health Insurance Requirements

J-1 Students and Scholars Sponsored by Syracuse University:

As an Exchange Visitor under the Department of State’s J-1 nonimmigrant visa program, you are required to maintain health insurance for yourself and any J-2 dependents during your stay in the United States. The medical insurance coverage for you and your dependent family members must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness;
• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his/her home country in the amount of $10,000; and
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500.

Please note that not all health insurance plans include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (e.g., Blue Point does not include medical evacuation and repatriation). Accordingly, you may need to purchase additional insurance to supplement your current health insurance coverage. Medical evacuation and repatriation coverage can be purchased for $24/year through MEDEX. Additional information and brochures are available online and at the Slutzker Center for International Services.

SEVIS authorized Responsible Officers of the J program are required to maintain proof that Exchange Visitors have adequate insurance in effect throughout the entire time they are participating in the sponsor’s program. Proof of adequate health insurance coverage must indicate the duration of your coverage including the end date of the policy. If your actual health insurance card does not provide this information, you should make a copy of your insurance plan details that indicate the insurance coverage start and end dates. You must also provide proof of medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. A valid MedEx card or print out of your current and valid insurance plan details that indicate medical evacuation and repatriation coverage will be accepted as adequate proof of coverage.

If you are sponsored by Syracuse University, the only Responsible Officers who have access to your J SEVIS record are Slutzker Center advisors. Responsible officers issue your DS-2019, can update your exchange visitor program information, and also authorize certain benefit of maintaining your status. You are required to show proof of your current, valid health insurance whenever you request any of the following benefits from a Slutzker Center J-1 Responsible Officer:

• SEVIS validation upon arrival and completion of the check-in process.
  
  The Slutzker Center will NOT validate your SEVIS record until you provide copies of an adequate health insurance policy for yourself and any J-2 dependents. The policy must be valid for a full year or if your program is less than a year, insurance must be valid for the duration of your program. Please note that your SEVIS record must be validated within 30 days of your arrival or else you will be out of legal status in the United States.
  
  
• Travel signature for re-entry to the U.S.
  
  Responsible Officers in the Slutzker Center will not sign DS-2019s for international travel and re-entry to the U.S. unless you provide proof of health insurance coverage for you and any J-2 dependents that may be traveling with you.
  
  
• Extension of J-1 program and DS-2019.
  
  No extensions will be granted until health insurance is updated and copies of your plan are provided to the Slutzker Center.
  
  
• For J-1 students only: Authorization of Academic Training.