Insurance
Choose the plan that meets your needs and spend more time enjoying your international experience not worrying about your insurance coverage.
Find Your PlanWhat type of coverage
do you need?
Travel Medical
Insurance
Temporary coverage for accidents, sicknesses, & emergency evacuations when visiting or traveling outside of your home country.
International Health Insurance
Annually renewable international private medical insurance coverage for expats and global citizens living or working internationally.
Travel
Insurance
Coverage designed to protect you from financial losses should your trip be delayed, interrupted, or cancelled.
Enterprise Services
Meet your duty of care obligations with confidence, knowing your travelers are safe, healthy, and connected wherever they may be in the world.
Show ServicesWhat type of organization do you represent?
Medical & Travel
Assistance
Your travelers can access 24/7 global support should they need medical attention, travel assistance, or medical transport services.
Global Workers' Compensation Case Management
Rest assured knowing you have an experienced team who is committed to reducing your costs, moving your files forward, and serving as an international resource for all your work injury claims.
Security Assistance
Services
Keep your travelers safe, no matter where they are, with real-time alerts and intelligence on safety, health, political, and other global risks.
Insurance Administrative
Services
You’ll have experts to guide you through all things related to your health care plan needs, from enrollment to claim reimbursement.
International Student Health Insurance
Health Insurance Plans for International Students & Students Studying Abroad
Health insurance plans for international students provide the right mix of plan benefits, value, and coverage to keep you safe and healthy. IMG student health plans can help keep your budget healthy, too.
Coverage for international students studying in the U.S. is available to students on an F1 visa and meets J1 visa requirements. Students from the U.S. studying abroad can also stay protected in Schengen visa countries and beyond with an IMG plan.
Long- and short-term student health plans from IMG are great for:
- Individuals and groups participating in international student programs
- Cultural exchange participants
- International graduate students
- Scholars and educators
- Dependents of those participating in international study programs
With health insurance plans designed specifically for international and study abroad students and scholars, IMG has done the homework so you don't have to. To compare IMG's student insurance plans, check out our article, Choosing the Best International Student Insurance Plan for You.
Popular Student Health Insurance Plans
For International Students & Scholars
Why Do I Need International Student Health Insurance?
Simple. It's Generally Required.
Most universities and colleges require that international and study abroad students obtain a minimum level of medical coverage for their enrollment period.
While some schools provide their own coverage options for students, others do not require students to buy the university-sponsored insurance as long as they buy comparable coverage that meets or exceeds the school's requirements.
Your host country may also require insurance for international students, so it's important to verify your visa requirements before purchasing coverage.
International students who hold F1 visas are not required by the U.S. government to meet certain health insurance requirements, but they may still be required by their school to purchase certain coverage.
Factors that Determine Cost
The cost of an individual international student health insurance plan varies based on the following factors.
Age of the Student
Age is the primary determining factor for price. Insurance companies often charge different amounts for different age groups, with the price increasing for older age groups.
Length of Coverage
There are monthly rates associated with international student health insurance, so price increases proportionally to the number of months of coverage purchased.
Level of Coverage
Plans can range from basic and budget-friendly, to robust and complete with maternity coverage and enhanced pre-existing condition coverage. Students can choose the level of coverage they desire and balance that with the cost they are willing to incur.
International Student Health Insurance Benefits
Key Considerations for Purchasing Student Health Plans
Student Medical Coverage for Accidents or Illnesses
Your school and host country will often require students to purchase a plan that includes a minimum amount of medical coverage for accidents or illnesses.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Coverage for an emergency medical evacuation to the nearest qualified medical facility, expenses for transportation resulting from the evacuation, and the cost of returning the student to either their home country or the country where the evacuation occurred.
Repatriation and Return of Mortal Remains
In the unfortunate event that a student dies as a result of a covered illness or injury while outside of their home country, this benefit can cover expenses for transporting the remains back home.
How to Get International Student Health Insurance
Follow these simple steps and purchase your coverage worry free.
1. Research
Research your school's and host country's coverage requirements.
2. Confirm
Confirm that your school allows you to waive the university-sponsored plan and purchase your own insurance.
3. Search
Search for the right plan for you, paying close attention to coverage and cost.
4. Purchase
Purchase a plan and submit a waiver to your university, providing proof of coverage and any other necessary documentation.
Recent Blog Articles
What to Expect and Where to Visit When Studying in the U.S.
Education doesn’t end in the classroom, so those who choose to study in the United States should take advantage of their time here and explore the country as much as they can.
With a population of 323 million people and more than 9 million square kilometers of land, the U.S. has no shortage of opportunities for enjoyment and enrichment. To make the most of these opportunities, international students should know what to expect while they explore, taking into account size, sights, health and safety.
The continental portion of the U.S., alone, is larger than the European Union, with thriving population centers and geographic wonders scattered throughout. Divided into West, Midwest, South and Northeast regions, the U.S. provides international students with varied cultural experiences at every turn.
Here are some of the best cities to visit:
San Francisco, California (West)
This West Coast city is a must-see for international students. San Francisco offers excellent hikes, sights and nightlife, and is close to dozens of other points of interest lending to easy day trips. A visit here should last four days.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota (Midwest)
While the obvious choice for Midwest travels may be Chicago, Illinois, international students should check out the iconic Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a more historical experience. They can visit this location in a weekend, or gather friends for an extended weekend road trip through America’s Heartland.
New Orleans, Louisiana (South)
The food, culture and history of this rebuilt city draw travelers from across the globe, and should be included on an international student’s bucket list. A trip to New Orleans should last three to four days.
New York City, New York (Northeast)
The largest U.S. city, NYC is a confluence of different cultures. For anyone who has heard the metaphor, “The U.S. is a melting pot,” this city of more than 8.5 million people is the perfect example. Students should spend an extended weekend here and explore not just Manhattan, but the city’s other four boroughs as well.
Spoken Languages
The most common language spoken in the U.S. is English, but don’t be discouraged if you haven’t perfected your English skills. The second most spoken language in the country is Spanish, followed by Chinese (including Cantonese, Mandarin and other Chinese languages), French and Tagalog.
International students may find others who speak their native languages in these U.S. locations:
- California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas are home to large populations of Spanish speakers. In Puerto Rico, Spanish remains the official and most commonly used language.
- California and New York City boast large populations of Chinese speakers.
- International students who speak French will feel at home speaking their native tongue in Maine, Vermont, Louisiana, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
- Behind English and Spanish, Tagalog is the most common language spoken in California and Nevada.
There are dozens of other languages spoken by populations throughout the U.S. Dearborn, Michigan, for example, hosts many Arabic speakers, while Rhode Island and Massachusetts host many Portuguese speakers.
While it would be wise to learn some common English phrases before studying in the U.S., students shouldn’t worry if they don’t have a strong command of the English language.
Health & Safety
Just as they would when traveling anywhere else, international students should be mindful of any dangers their destinations may present.
Crime rates vary significantly across the United States, with certain cities being among the country’s safest (Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Shoreview, Minnesota; Ridgefield, Connecticut; Franklin, Massachusetts; Zionsville, Indiana) and others among the most dangerous (St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Rockford, Illinois; Baltimore, Maryland; Detroit, Michigan).
Additionally, the U.S. is home to insects and animals that can pose health and safety risks, including alligators in the Southeast, cougars (or mountain lions) in the West, venomous snakes in the South, and venomous spiders throughout the country.
Cases of the Zika virus have also been reported across the U.S., with New York, California, Florida and Texas each reporting more than 15 cases in 2017.
International students should be mindful of safety concerns when traveling to or studying near these locations, and take necessary precautions.
For more information on staying safe, connected, and covered while studying and traveling in the United States, visit IMG's International Student Health Insurance plans page.
Disclaimer
This is not an offer to enter into an insurance contract. This is only a summary and shall not bind the company or require the company to offer or write any insurance at any particular rate or to any particular group or individual. The information on this page does and will not affect, modify or supersede in any way the policy, certificate of insurance and governing policy documents (together the "Insurance Contract"). The actual rates and benefits are governed by the Insurance Contract and nothing else. Benefits are subject to exclusions and limitations.