J-1 Exchange Visitors
J-1 Exchange Visitor Health Insurance Requirements
The United States government requires that all people holding J-1 visas and their dependents in the U.S. maintain health insurance that meets the following minimum standards:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains coverage in the amount of $25,000
- Expenses to cover medical evacuation of the visitor(s) to their home country in the amount of $50,000
You may need to purchase coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation insurance through our Affordable Care Act-compliant student health insurance policy, Academic Health Plans.
If you do not qualify for employment-based coverage as described above, you must purchase health insurance for yourself and all J-2 family members.
Postdoctoral scholars, research fellows, and students may enroll in the UT Southwestern employee insurance plan at no cost to them if they:
- Work at least 20 hours per week for 4 1/2 months
- Earn a salary
Additional coverage for family members is at the employee’s expense. Insurance coverage begins on the DS-2019 program start date.
212(e) Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement
The 212(e) requirement under immigration law is based on section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
When you agree to participate in an exchange visitor program, you may be subject to the two-year home country physical presence (foreign residence) requirement.
Visit our J-1 212(e) requirement page to learn more about whether you are subject to this rule.
J-2 Dependents
Dependents could be your spouse or minor children (under age 21). Each dependent must have an individual DS-2019 to obtain a J-2 visa stamp and to enter the U.S.
J-2 status does not automatically enable work authorization but does provide the ability to apply for permission to work from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office through an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).