U. S. Immigrants will be required to secure healthcare insurance

President Trump made a proclamation in early October to require immigrants to provide their own source of health insurance or show the ability to pay for health-related issues to secure their visas.

The new proclamation will mean that in order for immigration visas to gain approval in the United States, foreign applicants must show they have coverage from an authorized insurance company or provide proof of financial ability to cover health care costs for themselves and applicable family members.

Effective date

The effective date of the new rule is November 3rd 2019. Those who will have gained approval for their visa applications before the effective date will not be required to show proof of insurance. After the effective date, applicants will be required to show proof of coverage or financial means to pay health care costs.

Mandatory Healthcare coverage for immigrants

The mandatory coverage will only affect those who are immigrating to the United States and intend to obtain green cards. For example, those who are applying for EB-1, EB-2 and EB-5 visas. Health care coverage must be enough to cover the visa holders to include their spouses, children and other dependents.

Exceptions to the new requirements

However, those who are not intending on permanent status and are only entering temporarily will not be required to carry coverage according to the new law. The important rule would include those entering the country on business or vacation, such as B-1 and B-2 visas. This also applies to those with E-1, E-2, H-1B, H-3, J-1, F, M, L and O visa holders.

There are a number of exceptions to the rule. For example, children of US citizens who are born abroad, asylum seekers and refugees are not required to provide proof of insurance according to the new rule.

Exempt Visas

Visas which are exempt are the IR-2, IR-3 and IR-4. The 1H-3, IH-4 and the SB-1 visas are also acceptable without medical insurance proof. Citizens of countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan who have worked with the United States have special immigration visas and are also not required to prove health insurance.

Currently, the details concerning the criteria of the type of coverage that is accepted are awaiting instructions from the State Department to be fully implemented. However, it is understood that the individual will have 30 days to comply with the approved health coverage if they do not have the appropriate coverage at the time of their interview. The individuals who do not have appropriate health coverage will be at risk of suspension and may face denial of entry into the US.