Getting Insurance with a Travel Visa
International travel requires a lot of research and planning – and not just for what clothes to pack in your suitcase. Depending on where you plan to visit, some countries require all tourists to have a valid travel visa in order to enter the country. A visa is an official document granted by the country you plan on traveling to that gives you permission to enter the country for a specified amount of time.
Not all visas are the same, and each country deals with tourists and business travelers differently. Some countries issue visas based on the purpose of a visit, i.e., tourist visas, student visas (i.e., J1 visa), etc. Some countries issue visas that are only valid for a few days, and some countries don’t require a visa unless you stay for more than 90 days. However, some countries, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, require a visa regardless of how many days you plan to stay there. To find out if the country you plan on visiting requires a travel visa, visit their embassy website to learn about your destination.
A Travel Visa Often Requires Proof of Insurance
If a visa is required to enter a country, you should also keep in mind that you will probably need to possess proof of valid travel medical insurance. This means that you must show that you have adequate coverage for any expenses that might arise due to repatriation or hospitalization for medical reasons, including medical emergencies.
Anyone traveling to the Schengen area for the purpose of tourism or business and whose trip duration is no longer than 90 days only needs one visa for all the countries in the Schengen area. Travel insurance that covers repatriation and medical expenses is mandatory for a Schengen travel visa, and travelers should look into only Schengen-compliant travel insurance plans.
Best Insurance Plan for Visa Applicants
Atlas Travel Insurance
- Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
Buying Insurance for Your International Visa
In most cases, investing in quality travel medical insurance will satisfy your visa requirements, so before purchasing additional travel insurance, make sure that the plan you already have doesn’t cover or alleviate any medical emergency costs.
If it does, but you are not clear whether this is enough coverage or even the right coverage for your visa requirements, contact your insurance representative and ask – never assume you have the coverage required. Always clarify and be sure you are covered before trip departure.
Many travel visas require proof of obtaining private medical insurance from a reputable company. Make sure the insurance company you use is licensed and accepted in the country you are planning to travel to – some countries require that the insurance be purchased from an insurance broker within that country. If you are unsure where to look for an insurance company in the country you are traveling to, consult your own provider and ask.
As with any insurance coverage, always check the restrictions and limitations of the policy and ensure it covers everything you need to travel safely, including coverage for extreme sports such as downhill skiing or parasailing.
In addition to protecting travelers from expensive emergency medical costs, travel insurance can also cover:
- Emergency evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Overseas funeral expenses
- Return of a minor
- Trip cancelation
- Trip interruption
- Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage
Many visas require travel insurance as a way to protect their visitors from unforeseen costly expenditures that would make for an otherwise unpleasant visit. You can apply for most visas online or from the embassy of the country you will be visiting. As with travel insurance, start your visa research early in your trip planning process, and always make sure you have all of the paperwork and documents necessary to fulfill your travel visa requirements to avoid any unnecessary surprises that could disrupt your trip.
Visa Requirements for Health Insurance
Before a visa can be issued, applicants must show proof that they have adequate health insurance coverage to meet the specified requirements. Those requirements typically include the following benefits:
- Minimum coverage shall be EUR €30,000 or USD 50,000
- The cover must be valid within the country/region for the full duration of stay
- The plan must cover any expenses that might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment, and death
Note: Check the specific requirements for the country you are traveling to. Although the above will meet most countries requirements, they are not uniform throughout the world and can change. Read More: Schengen Visa Insurance
Travelers will be asked to provide a letter from their insurance company confirming that coverage meets the minimum level. The duration of coverage must match the period of travel stated on their visa. Any travel medical plans listed here will provide that letter.
Travel Medical Plans for Your Visa Application
GeoBlue Voyager Plan
- For U.S. citizens up to age 95
- Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
- 24/7/365 service and assistance
Atlas Travel Insurance
- Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
When Do I Apply for Insurance for My Visa Application?
For the above plans and most travel medical plans, you can apply anytime and secure the documentation that you need for your application. The process should take no longer than 10-15 minutes. Once submitted, you will receive documentation, including a Visa Letter, via email (usually within the hour) that can be submitted with your application.
Insurance for Student Visa Applications
Most countries will require students to have adequate international student insurance coverage for their enrollment period. We recommend one of the following student insurance plans for study abroad.
StudentSecure Insurance
- Provides Medical, Dental, and Evacuation Benefits
- Keep your coverage when your studies last multiple years
- Medical providers are available in over 130 countries worldwide
Student Health Advantage
- Standard and Platinum level benefits available.
- Coverage for individuals and groups and their dependents.
- Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice.
Insurance for Schengen Visa
26 "Schengen Countries" have collaborated to make it easier for travelers to enter through one country in Europe and then freely travel within 25 other countries without having to show their passports at each border crossing. They also have implemented specific requirements for Schengen Travel Insurance which will cover you in all Schengen countries. The 26 European countries that belong to the Schengen area include:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Atlas Travel Insurance
- Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
Long-Term Annual Health Plans and Visa Applications
Clients sometimes travel for longer than 3-12 months and want to buy comprehensive International Health Insurance, also known as an Expatriate Health Plan. The dilemma: your visa application must be processed 2, 3, or 4 months before the departure date, and the application for an international health plan can NOT be processed 45 days before the departure date.
Some clients apply for a travel medical plan today and use that to apply for their visa. Once their visa is secured and within 45 days of the departure date, they can apply for a Global Medical / Expat Plan. Once the Global Medical Plan is approved, you can cancel the Travel Medical Plan. This is not an easy solution but a viable workaround.