If you are applying for an immigrant visa, including a diversity visa, on or after November 3, 2019, you must demonstrate to the consular officer at the time of interview that you will be covered by approved health insurance within 30 days of entry into the United States or have the financial resources to pay for reasonably foreseeable medical costs. Inability to meet this requirement will result in the denial of the visa application.
This requirement will apply to all immigrant visa applicants and individuals seeking to enter the United States on an immigrant visa, except:
- Individuals who are holding (or who held) a valid immigrant visa as of November 3, 2019
- Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant visa applicants and their spouses and children (SI and SQ visas)
- Applicants who are children, whether adopted, biological, and step-children, of a U.S. citizen applying in the IR-2, CR-2, IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, or IH-4 visa classifications
- Returning Resident SB-1 applicants
- Applicants for K fiancé(e) visas and other aliens entering the United States without an immigrant visa, including lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.
- Applicants for IR-5 visas and alien seeking to enter the United States pursuant to an IR-5 visa, provided that the alien or the alien’s sponsor demonstrates to the satisfaction of the consular officer that the alien’s healthcare will not impose a substantial burden on the United States healthcare system
- Any alien under the age of 18, except for any alien seeking to accompany a parent who is also immigrating to the United States and subject to this proclamation
- Any alien whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State or his designee based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee
- Any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State or his designee on a case-by-case basis
Qualifying Insurance or Financial Resource to Pay for Medical Costs
If you are not covered by the exceptions above, you will need to show to a consular officer or immigration official that you will be covered by approved health insurance within 30 days of entry to the United States or that you have the financial resources to pay for reasonably foreseeable medical costs.
Approved health insurance includes:
- Employer-sponsored health plans, including retiree plans
- Unsubsidized health plans offered in the individual market within a State
- Short-term, limited duration health plans effective for a minimum of 364 days or until the beginning of planned, extended travel outside the United States
- Catastrophic plans
- Coverage by a family member’s health plan
- U.S. military health plans, including TRICARE
- Visitor health insurance plans with adequate medical coverage for a minimum of 364 days or until the beginning of planned, extended travel outside the United States
- Medical plans under the Medicare program
- Any other health plan with adequate coverage as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
For individuals over the age of 18, approved health insurance does not include coverage under the Medicaid program.
The requirement at the visa interview
During the visa interview, applicants should be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have the financial resources to pay for reasonably foreseeable medical costs or will have approved health insurance from the list above within 30 days of entry into the United States. Officers will review the medical and financial documentation that is already part of the applicant’s case file and may request additional information or documentation as needed. Prior to the visa interview, applicants may wish to review costs and eligibility requirements for approved health insurance plans or consider how they would pay for the reasonably foreseeable medical costs of any current medical condition they may have.