Posted on Monday, October 17th, 2011 at 1:47 pm

Last year, the United States received over 115,000 visiting scholars from around the world working at colleges and universities – this was a dramatic increase from 86,000 in 2001. Visiting scholars typically come to the United States to be involved in academia acting as researchers, professors, and instructors.

Most visiting scholars come to the United States on a J-1 visa which is granted based on the program duration ranging from a few months up to a few years. To obtain the J-1 visa, insurance for visiting scholars is a must. Required by the US federal government, visiting scholars must obtain proof of insurance prior to being issued the J-1 visa. According to the US State Department Rule 22CFR62.14, all international visitors on J-1 and J-2 (dependents including children and spouses) visas must have health insurance which meets the following minimum requirements:

• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
• 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.

An insurance policy secured to meet the benefits requirements must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above, a Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above. Alternatively, the sponsor may ascertain that the participant’s policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country.

All international scholars and their dependents must have insurance that meets the above requirements. The Department of State has proposed an increase in the minimum criteria for insurance for visiting scholars, however the new requirements and when this will go in affect remains unspecified.

Currently, international visiting scholars will need to present a letter showing that confirms that the insurance plan meets these minimum requirements. Many times the school will also request proof of insurance as well. The Atlas Travel plan is an excellent insurance for visiting scholars whose school does not provide insurance (or allows the option to waive). The plan meets the J-1 visa requirements and covers doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency room, urgent care, repatriation, emergency medical evacuation, labs, x-rays, and much more! Once the plan has been issued, international scholars will be able to receive a customized visa letter that allows participants to present proof of coverage that both meets and exceeds these requirements.

Posted by Jennifer Frankel

Jennifer is the International Director at International Student Insurance. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Florida where she holds a Masters in International Business and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. She has lived and worked abroad in Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and England, and traveled extensively in South America, Europe and Asia.