Citizens of the countries listed here need to apply for a UK visa before entering the United Kingdom.

Do US Citizens Need a Visa For UK?

US citizens do not need to apply for a visa to enter the UK if they travel for tourism or business purposes, for stays up to six months. However, they are required to apply for all other types of visas in order to travel or stay in the UK.

How to Apply for a UK Visa from USA?

To apply for a UK visa in USA, you must follow these steps:

1. Find out if you need a visa for UK.
2. Complete the Online UK visa application form.
3. Book an appointment to provide Biometrics.
4. Attend the visa interview.

Complete the Online Application form

After determining whether you need to apply for a UK visa from the US you can begin the application process. To begin the application process for a UK visa you need to fill the online application form, by submitting correct and honest information and then pay the visa application fees. If the information in the application form doesn’t comply with the information in the other required documents, your application will be rejected.

Compile the document file

To apply for a UK visa from USA, Green card holders must provide the following documents:

• Completed UK visa application form.
• Two UK visa photographs that are taken within the past six months.
• Your valid Passport. It must be valid for three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the UK after your trip. It must also have at least one blank page for the visa.
• A receipt that confirms you have paid the fees as required.
• Translations of documents that are not in English or Welsh.
• Proof of US status.  Which might be either an Original Alien Registration Card (Green Card) or an Original US Visa
• Proof that you have purchased round trip flight booking on your planned dates of travel from the US.
• Employment Letter. This is a confirmation that you are the employee of a company which has approved your dates of the leave.
• Proof of Accomodation in the UK:
  • Letter of Invitation for UK visa – if you are planning to stay over at friends or family members, then your host must write you a letter which includes the length of your stay, the address and also the contact information of your host among others.
  • Hotel Confirmation – if you plan to stay at a hotel instead, then a hotel booking confirmation must be submitted.
• Proof of means of subsistence. The applicant will have to submit proof that they are financially capable to maintain themselves during their whole stay in the UK. This includes bank statements not older than three days, pay slips, and other types of evidence for your income as rental income, etc. If you are coming to the UK under some program that will financially support you then you’ll have to submit evidence for that.
• Tuberculosis Test Results. Nationals of several world countries will need to submit the requests of a Tuberculosis Test in order to be eligible for a UK Visa. Check here if you need to provide the TB test results.
• Biometric information. If you are applying for a visa that lets you stay in the UK for more than 6 months, you will need to submit your biometric information. This includes giving your fingerprints and a digital photograph taken at the appropriate application center.

Book an appointment for Biometrics

Then you will have to schedule an appointment at one of 130+ Application Support Centers (ASCs) throughout the United States for Biometric testing. At this appointment, you will have your digital image taken and also a digital scan of all ten fingers. The earliest you can submit your visa application with all of the required documents is one or one and a half days after and the latest 2 weeks after biometric submission.

At the appointment you should have with you:

• your current passport.
• a print out of your application form.
• a copy of your biometric confirmation receipt.

Children under the age of 5 are exempt from having their fingerprints taken.

Attend the visa interview at the UK Embassy/Consulate in the United States

After gathering every required document, then you will have to send them to the British Consulate General in New York via mail or registered travel agent. Put your passport, application form, and the other documents in an envelope. Arrange them according to the checklist and do not staple any of them.

Non-settlement applications should be submitted to the British Consulate General in New York under the following address:

UK Visas and Immigration
British Consulate General
845 Third Avenue
New York
10022

Settlement applications

Settlement applications are done within the United Kingdom and should be submitted here:

International Operations and Visas
6 Millsands
Vulcan House
Sheffield
S3 8NH
United Kingdom

Whether your application gets approved or not, you will, however, have to provide a fully addressed prepaid electronic shipping label inside the package with your documents. Keep a copy of the way-bill for your records.

Types of UK Visa From USA for Green Card Holders

For Green Card holders the first step towards a successful visa application is to decide what kind of visa they need to enter the United Kingdom. Before scheduling an appointment and starting to gather the required documents, check out the list of UK visa types, and try to figure out which visa fits you.

A US applicant can enter the United Kingdom under one of the following visas:

UK Business visa from USA

The UK Business visa category has been established with the sole purpose of attracting successful business people to come and invest in the UK together with their families, ranging from investors, to entrepreneurs and more. To apply for these visas, the applicant must provide the following:

• Short CV.
• Letters of support from a UK based organization, institution or company.
• Letters of recommendation from recognized experts.
• Examples of recent significant media recognition.
• Proof of having won international awards for excellence.
• Proof of appearances, performances, publications or exhibitions in last 5 years.
• A UK-recognized bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD awarded before your date of endorsement.

UK Work visa from USA

The UK work visa is especially for high-end professionals from other countries who wish to work and live in the UK for shorter or longer periods. To apply for a UK work visa from USA you must have:

• A job offer in the UK that cannot be filled by the local or the EU workforce;
• A sponsorship letter (an employer, regional administrator, local authority who holds a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License)

UK Visitor visa from USA

The UK visitor visa is a visa issued to US residents that wish to enter and stay in the UK for tourism or family visit for periods shorter than six months This visa is for travelers that are not citizens of a country that has a visa facilitation agreement with the UK. Visitors are prohibited from getting a job inside UK with this type of visa, just as with many other types.

UK Transit visa from USA

The UK transit visa is for foreigners who are not from the EEA or Switzerland, and are using the UK as a transit country to pass from another country to their destination. This visa offers the opportunity to apply for a long-term transit visa if the applicant has enough evidence that he needs to travel regularly through UK to arrive at their destination, but has no intention to stay or live there permanently. To apply for a UK transit visa in the US you must provide:

• Booked travel tickets confirmed.
• Confirmation from travel agent.
• Document to confirm being permitted to entry the other country.
• Visa for the other country (if required).
• Document to confirm being permitted to entry the other country.
• Documents to confirm the reason for traveling to the other country.

UK Family Visa from USA

The UK family visas type is for people who have family members working and living in the UK and want to join them for more than six months, as their dependents. The dependents can be husband or wife (spouse), partner, fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, children, parents, other family members.

UK Student Visa from USA

The UK student visas are issued to prospective students that plan on enrolling in UK educational institutions, such as universities and schools. To apply for a student visa you must provide the following:

• Parents’ or legal guardian letters (if under 18)
• Criminal record certificate
• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Clearance Certificate issued by the Foreign and the Commonwealth Office, the Department of the Counter-Proliferation Department.
• Confirmation Letter From the Official Financial Sponsor

Temporary Visa for Refugees and Stateless persons in USA

Eligible for this visa are only the people who are about to enter in the UK and are at the borders because had to leave their country as their life was seriously threatened. The application for this visa is made from within the UK. To apply for such a visa, you must provide the following documents:

• Registration with the police – police registration certificate.
• Birth certificate.
• Marriage certificate.
• Education certificate.
• Medical documents – if suffering from any medical condition.
• Documents to confirm the home address in the UK.

UK Visas in the Points Based System

The Points Based System is the means of regulating immigration to the United Kingdom, which evaluates visa candidates based on the points they can gather by meeting visa requirements. Each visa requirement has its points, and there is an appointed number of points the candidate should gather in order to receive the visa.

There are 5 different of visas based in the Points-Based System:

• Tier 1 Visas – For highly-skilled professional foreigners.
• Tier 2 Visas – Skilled foreign workers with a job offer in a shortage area.
• Tier 3 Visas – For low-skilled foreign workers with a temporary job offer in a shortage area (This type of visa has never been implemented since it has been assessed that the UK has already enough low-skilled workers.)
• Tier 4 Visas – Foreign students and specialists.
• Tier 5 Visas – Youth mobility and temporary foreign workers.

Priority, Super Priority, and Premium UK Visa Services

These are optional visa services for which the applicant has to pay an extra fee in order to get an answer on their application within a shorter period of time.

These services can be used by applicants applying for one of the below-listed visa types:

• Tourist and short stay (visitor) visas
• Points-based system Tier 2 and Tier 5 applicants with authority to be living in the United States
• Point-based system Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) if you are currently in the US for a similar purpose to take up in the United Kingdom
• Points-based system Tier 5 (Temporary worker – Creative and Sporting) if currently in the USA for a similar purpose to take up in the UK
• Points-based system Tier 4 student visas – for applicants who are resident in the USA and are subject to different document requirements under Tier 4 of the Points-based system

The post UK Visa Application from USA appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

For some, traveling is easy. You buy a ticket, and that is it. For others, traveling includes applications and processes that are often confusing and time-consuming, in particular when it comes to traveling to Europe.

If you are living in the United States, and you do not know what procedures you should follow to enter Europe, this article will make it clear to you.

Do I Need to Apply for a Visa to Go to Europe?

Currently, US citizens do not need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Europe. However, they will need to apply for an ETIAS starting November, 2023, in order to be permitted to enter any of the Schengen states. ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System and is quite similar to the American ESTA.

You will have to apply for a Schengen visa from the US prior to your trip if you belong to any of the following categories:

• You have been rejected visa-free entry in Europe despite being:
  • A US passport holder
  • A passport holder of one of the countries that have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area
• You are a national of one of the countries that have not established a visa-free regime with the Schengen states yet

Please keep in mind that you will be able to get a Schengen visa from the US only if you you are a Green Card holder. In case you are there on a visa, you will not be able to apply for a Schengen Visa. Instead, you will have to go to your country of residence in order to be able to apply.

When Should I Submit the Schengen Visa Application From the United States?

You cannot just file your visa application whenever you want to. The earliest you can submit your Schengen visa application is three months prior to your trip to this region. The latest you can do so is two months prior to the date of your planned trip.

However, the most advisable time to file your application is three weeks prior to your trip to the Schengen zone.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa From USA?

Though it might sound like tons of work and requirements; in fact, applying for a Schengen visa from the US is simple, especially if you fulfill the eligibility criteria. As a start, in order to get your application ready, you need to figure out a couple of things as:

1. Choose the type of Schengen visa that you need.
2. Determine where to file your application.
3. Fill the Schengen Visa Application form.
4. Book an appointment.
5. Collect the required documents.
6. Show up at the appointment.

Types of Schengen visas available for applicants in USA

Applicants from the United States can apply for the following visas, depending on the purpose of visiting the Schengen countries:

• Tourist Schengen visa.
• Transit Schengen visa.
• Business Schengen visa.
• Visitor Schengen visa.
• Cultural Schengen visa.
• Medical treatment Schengen visa.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa in United States?

Just because the Schengen states have a common visa policy, it does not mean you can file your visa application at whichever Schengen embassy in the United States.  There are strict rules on where an applicant shall file their application. Before you schedule an appointment, decide:

• How many Schengen countries will you visit?
• If you are planning to visit more than one country:
  • How much you will remain in each?
  • In which country will you step first?

Visiting one country in Europe

If you are going to visit only one country, then file your application at the embassy/consulate/visa center of that country in the United States. For example if you want to visit France, you should submit your application at the nearest French mission (Embassy or Consulate).

Visiting more than one country in Europe

On the other hand, if you will be visiting more than one country, then file your application at the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country in which you will spend most days. If you plan on spending equal time in all the countries that you will visit, then you should apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the country you will land first.

Choosing the mission that processes visa applications

In addition, depending on how your destination country has regulated visa submission, you may have to submit your application at their:

• Embassy.
• Consulate.
• Visa Center.
• Embassy/consulate/visa center of another Schengen country to which your destination country has outsourced visa submission.

Aside from that, in the US, each embassy and each consulate have their own jurisdiction area. This means that where you need to file your application also depends on the jurisdiction area under which you fall.

Fill in the Schengen visa application form

After determining where to apply, you can download the Schengen visa application form from the Embassy/Consulate website. It is free of charge, so you need to make sure not to get scammed by paying for it.

You will have to answer questions for basic information such as your name, date of birth, country of birth, passport number, and nationality; and questions regarding your trip, such as where will you stay, for how long etc.

Book an appointment

After completing the application form you will have to book an appointment with the embassy or consulate in the United States that will handle your application.

Collect the required documents

Here are the documents that you need to submit to apply for a Schengen visa from the USA:

• Schengen Visa Application Form. The form is the same for all countries in Schengen. Fulfill the form with correct information and print it twice. Sign both copies at the end.
• Valid passport. Your passport must be valid for another three months beyond the date you plan to leave the area. It must not be older than ten years and have at least two blank pages.
• Two identical photos. It must not be older than 3 months and fulfill the requirements for a Schengen visa photo.
• Schengen Travel Health Insurance for Europe. In the minimum amount of €30,000, that covers any medical emergencies and repatriation in case of death.
• Proof of Accommodation. You must submit documents through which you prove where you will be staying throughout your time in the Schengen states. That could be:
  • a hotel booking,
  • a letter of invitation, or
  • a rent agreement.
• Flight Itinerary. A document through which you prove you have a saved seat in your flight from the United States to Europe. It also contains the dates you enter and leave Schengen.
• Cover Letter. A letter in which you explain your whole trip in details, what you will be doing, the places you will be visiting, etc.
• Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have the means to support yourself throughout your whole trip in the Schengen Area.

Depending on your employment status you will have to submit the following documents:

• If you are an employee, you need to submit:
  • Leave permission from the employer.
  • Employment contract.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
• If you are self-employed, you need to submit:
  • A copy of your business license.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR).
• If you are retired, you need to submit:
  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
• If you are studying at a US university, you need to submit:
  • Proof of enrollment.
  • No objection letter from School or University in the US.
• If you are unemployed and married to a US citizen, you need to submit:
  • Your spouse’s Confirmation of Employment. This document should be issued by the employer of your spouse and must indicate details as the position held by your spouse within the company, as well as the starting date.
  • Spouse’s valid passport.
  • An officially translated marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in English, translation is required. This translation must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in US. In case this Certificate was issued outside the EU, it must bear a stamp by the Foreign Office of the issuing country, or its Embassy in the US.

In addition, you will have to gather specific documents depending on the purpose of your visit.

Remember that despite the fact the Schengen states have a common visa policy, some of the countries may have extra requirements.

Show up at the appointment

Every applicant must show up at the appointment on time, and cannot send someone over to attend the interview on their behalf. Underage applicants must be accompanied by their mother/father/legal guardian.

Providing the documents

At the appointment you will have to submit the file of documents that you have collected to support your application. The visa official will go through your file to make sure that you can proceed with the interview.

Biometrics

If you have never applied for a Schengen visa before, you will have to submit your biometrics. You will have your fingerprints and facial image taken.

The visa interview

The interview lasts around ten minutes. Throughout this time, you will have to answer the questions the visa interviewer asks.

They will ask you about your background, the reasons why you wish to visit the Schengen Zone and other questions related to your trip.

Verifying the details

After the interview, the information that you provided will be entered into the online system and you will receive a printed copy of your application. This process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After you get the printed form, you should verify that all the details are correct and sign the form.

Pay the application fee

The fees for a Schengen visa are the same, no matter where you are applying from. Currently, the fee for a Schengen visa for adults is $69 and $40 for children under 12. Children below the age of 6, are exempt.

In addition, there are categories of people who are exempt from paying the fee, or who only have to pay a lower fee.

Keep in mind that in case of visa rejection or application withdrawal you will not be able to get your money back.

In Case of Schengen Visa Denial

In case you have your Schengen visa application from the United States denied, you can always reapply by fixing the mistakes made during your application. When you get the news on visa denial, the embassy will also provide you with reasons why you were rejected from getting a visa.

You can also appeal the decision by writing a visa rejection appeal letter.

The post Schengen Visa from USA appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

Do I Need to Get US Travel Insurance?

Technically, no. If you are traveling to the US for a short period of time, you are not required by law to have health insurance. However, the price of healthcare in the US is very high, so while medical insurance for visitors to the US is not mandatory, it is highly advisable.

Only a consultation with a doctor in the US can reach hundreds of dollars. If you have an accident and call an ambulance, the ambulance ride to the ER on its own can set you back thousands of dollars, not to mention the cost of medical treatment and hospitalization. If you do not have health insurance, you will have to cover all of the expenses yourself. And we are talking about bills that can reach tens of thousands of dollars, if not hundreds.

If you will stay in the United States for longer periods of time, i.e. more than six months, you can look for US health insurance options.

What Does US Travel Health Insurance for Visitors Cover?

Usually, all health insurance plans for visitors to the US cover the following:

• Doctor’s visit
• Hospitalization (the cost of the hospital room)
• The cost of prescription drugs and medicine
• Surgical procedures
• Emergency services, such as the ambulance and ER
• The cost of lab tests and X-rays
• Physical therapy

The following medical procedures, however, are not included in all plans:

• Dental
• Maternity
• Pre-existing conditions
• AD&D (accidental death and dismemberment)

Where to Find the Best Travel Health Insurance for Visitors to the United States?

One of the first things all tourists to the US have to prepare for when planning their trip is travel health insurance. The easiest way to buy travel health insurance for the US is online.

What Is the Best Health Insurance Plan for Visitors to USA?

Here are the best health insurance plans for visitors to the United States:

• Safe Travels for Visitors to the USA.
• Visitor Secure.
• Visitors Care.
• Safe Travel USA Comprehensive.
• Atlas America.
• Safe Travel USA Cost Saver.
• Atlas Essential America.
• Safe Travels USA.
• Atlas Premium America.
• Patriot America Plus.
• Patriot America.
• Patriot Platinum America.
• Beacon America.

How to Purchase Visitor Medical Insurance for The US?

Before you purchase a health insurance plan for visitors to the US, you have to do your research and find one that suits your needs. This means looking through different plans and carefully reading what they have to offer.

When deciding which medical insurance plan to buy, you should carefully read the policy, learn how much coverage they offer and for what. See below for the things you have to keep in mind when buying visitor’s health insurance in the USA.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Travel Health Insurance for USA

Purchasing health insurance in the US can be tricky and confusing even for residents, let alone visitors. So, before deciding on which plan to purchase, make sure you have considered the following:

• There are health insurance policies with different amounts of coverage. They can range from $25,000 to millions of dollars in coverage. This is the maximum amount of money the insurance company will cover for your medical expenses. Naturally, policies with a higher amount of coverage will cost more.
• You have to choose a plan with a policy maximum in concurrence with the time you intend to stay in the US. So, if you are only staying for a week, the policy maximum can be smaller than if you were staying for a month or longer.
• Even if you are healthy, do not choose the cheapest visitors health insurance plan you find and call it a day. That’s because if you do need medical care during your trip to the US, a cheap health insurance policy will likely only cover a small portion of your medical bill, leaving you to shoulder the majority.

The coverage: What types of travel health insurance plans are there for visitors?

Coverage-wise, there are two types of travel health insurance plans:

• Plans with a fixed coverage
• Plans with comprehensive coverage

*The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of your own pocket for a medical procedure before the health insurance company begins covering you. For example, if you have a $2,000 deductible, you have to pay $2,000 first, then the company will begin paying.

**The policy maximum is the maximum amount that the travel health insurance policy will pay for any covered medical services or expenses. The policy maximum changes from plan to plan, and the higher it is, the higher the cost of the plan.

The price

The price of a travel health insurance plan depends on three main factors:

• The type and amount of coverage you want. As mentioned above, comprehensive coverage plans cost more than fixed coverage. Additionally, there are plans which cover more medical procedures and/or emergencies, some can start from the day you land in the US, while others also cover you while you are travelling – so, the more coverage you want, the travel insurance plan will naturally cost more.
• The duration. The price of health insurance changes depending on the duration that you need coverage for. A one-week coverage period will be cheaper than if you were purchasing insurance for one month, for example.
• Your age. The price of all travel health insurance plans increases along with your age. Senior citizens generally have to pay more for the same amount of coverage than a younger person would. However, most health insurance companies do not offer plans with coverage for elderly visitors over the age of 69 at all. So, if your parents are coming to visit you in the US, it is necessary to find an adequate health insurance plan for elderly parents or visitors to the US. You can also find health insurance for travelers over the age of 80.

Remember:

Do not get the cheapest plan you can find! Since cheaper plans equal much less coverage, in case there’s a medical emergency, you will just end up paying a lot more from your own pocket later on.

The prices of travel health insurance are regulated in the US, so it’s not like you can find a plan for a cheaper price elsewhere.

Pre-existing conditions coverage

Not all health insurance companies in the US offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. For example, if you have diabetes, they will not cover the price of your diabetes medication while you are abroad. That’s because travel insurance is supposed to cover you only for any emergencies or incidents that happen while travelling.

Pregnancy coverage

Travel health insurance plans will also not offer coverage for any conditions related to pregnancy – at least, not to what would be considered a “normal pregnancy”. So, if you give birth, go for a check-up, or get assistance for things such as morning sickness while you are in the US, you will have to cover the cost of your medical bill yourself.

The post USA Travel Insurance appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

Getting visitors insurance for parents from will help with any unforeseen incident that may occur during their visit.

What Are the Best Travel Insurance Plans for Parents Visiting the USA?

Here are the top 5 health insurance plans for parents visiting the USA:

• Beacon America.
• Patriot America Plus Insurance.
• Patriot Platinum Insurance.
• Safe Travels USA – Cost Saver Insurance.
• Visitors Care Insurance.

Beacon America

Specifications of Beacon America plan:

• Comprehensive coverage
• Available for people up to 79 years of age
• After the deductible, it covers 100% up to the policy maximum
• Includes coverage for an acute onset of pre-existing conditions for people up to 79 years of age.
• Includes dental coverage
• Includes AD&D coverage

Patriot America Plus Insurance

The Patriot America Plus offers the following benefits:

• Comprehensive coverage
• Within PPO Network: The plan covers 100% up to the policy maximum.
• Outside PPO Network: The plan covers 80% of the first $5,000, then 100% up to the policy maximum.
• Includes dental coverage
• Includes coverage for an acute onset of pre-existing conditions for people up to 69 years of age.

Patriot Platinum Insurance

Here’s the list of the benefits included in the Patriot Platinum plan:

• Comprehensive coverage
• Within PPO Network: The plan covers 100% up to the policy maximum.
• Outside PPO Network: The plan covers 90% of the first $5,000, then 100% up to the policy maximum
• Includes coverage for acute onset of a pre-existing condition for people under the age of 70
• Includes dental coverage
• Includes AD&D coverage
• Includes terrorism coverage

Safe Travels USA – Cost Saver Insurance

The Safe Travels Cost Saver offers the following benefits:

• Comprehensive coverage
• Within PPO Network: The plan covers 100% up to the policy maximum.
• Outside PPO Network: The plan covers 80% of the first $5,000, then 100% up to the policy maximum
• Includes coverage for people up to 89 years old
• Includes coverage for the acute onset of a pre-existing condition (up to $1,000 of eligible medical expenses)
• Includes dental coverage
• Includes AD&D coverage

Visitors Care Insurance

• Limited coverage
• Coverage for people aged up to 79 years of age
• Varying amounts of coverage depending on the policy maximum and medical procedure.
• Policy maximums of  $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000.
• Coverage for people 80-99: Policy maximum of $10,000
• Offers coverage for the acute onset of a pre-existing condition (depending on the policy maximum)
• Does not offer dental coverage
• Does not offer AD&D coverage

How to Buy US Travel Insurance for My Parents?

You have to buy health insurance from a private company in the United States. There are countless plans, with different types and amounts of coverage, so you have to really do your research before you choose one. You can compare and buy health insurance plans for your parents through comparison marketplaces such as Insubuy.

Should I Get Visitors Insurance for My Parents Visiting Me in the USA?

Although it is not obligatory by law, due to the high cost of healthcare, it is strongly advisable to get health insurance for parents visiting you in the United States. This is especially important for elderly parents, who are more prone to sickness.

If your parents were to fall ill during their visit, and they are uninsured, the medical bills will quickly add up to tens or maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the type of medical care they need.

If your parents are joining you in America permanently, then you have to get them health insurance for Green Card holders.

What Are the Types of Health Insurance for Visiting Parents?

There are two main types of health insurance that your parents can look for:

• Fixed-coverage health insurance. This will only cover a fixed amount of your medical bills, and you will have to cover the rest of it. If this “fixed amount” is low while the medical bill is high, then you will have to pay a pretty substantial amount from your own pocket.
• Comprehensive-coverage health insurance. This type of health insurance plan will pay a percentage of your medical bill up to a certain amount, then it will cover 100% up until the policy maximum. For example, it will pay 80% of the bill for the first $2,000 then 100% until the policy maximum ($50,000; $70,000; $100,000 etc. depending on what policy maximum you purchased.)

What is Included in the Visitor Health Insurance Plan for my Parents?

There is a set of medical procedures that all insurance companies will cover, although at varying degrees depending on the plan. When choosing a visitors health insurance plan for your parents, make sure to compare different plans to see which one will suit the needs of your parents the best. Usually, all health insurance plans cover the following medical procedures:

• Consultation with a doctor
• The cost of the hospital room
• The cost of prescription drugs and medicine
• Surgical procedures
• Emergency services, such as the ambulance and ER
• The cost of lab tests and X-rays
• Physical therapy

Some, but not all, also cover the following:

• Dental
• Maternity/pregnancy
• Pre-existing conditions
• AD&D (accidental death and dismemberment)

The post Best Visitor’s Health Insurance Plans for Parents Visiting the USA appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

With recent media coverage of healthcare cost nightmares in the US, foreigners traveling there have understandably started becoming concerned about the average cost of a doctor visit or a trip to the ER.

Having Travel Health insurance while visiting the USA is optional, but highly recommended and necessary since health services are very costly, more than in any other country anywhere across the globe.

But, just how much does a doctor visit cost in the US? Will visitors have to leave half of their life savings at the hospital because of a simple sprain? What if a more serious medical emergency pops up? What if you get into an accident?

How Much is a Doctor’s Visit Without Insurance in the USA?

The average cost of a doctor’s visit in the US is not too high – provided it is just a consultation and you do not need actual medical treatment. In these cases, the price can range from $200-$300.

On the other hand, if you actually are sick or have sustained an injury and need to visit the Emergency Room, then the prices can quickly add up.

According to a study conducted by the National Institute for Health, the average cost of an ER visit in the US is $2168. The average prices for some of the most common reasons for ER visits are as follows:

• For sprains and strains: $1498
• For open wounds or extremities: $1650
• For a normal pregnancy or delivery: $2008
• For a headache: $1727
• For back problems: $1476
• For a kidney stone: $4247
• For a urinary tract infection (UTI): $2598
• For an upper respiratory infection: $1101
• For an intestinal infection: $2398
• For other injuries: $2103

However, the cost of an ER visit depends on several other factors such as the coverage of your health insurance plan (or whether you have an insurance plan at all) and even which hospital you go to. Additionally, your treatment and even your doctor may affect the cost of your hospital visit.

And keep in mind that the earlier figures are an average, which means some people pay much more than that.

Medical Treatment Costs in USA

The US has some of the highest prices in the world regarding medical treatment, and if you don’t have health insurance, a sprained ankle or another unexpected injury during your trip could end up costing you thousands of dollars. One of the reasons why an ER visit in the US can reach such high prices is due to the cost of medical tests and procedures.

Ambulances

In the US, an ambulance ride is not paid from taxpayer money. Much like the rest of the healthcare services in the US, ambulances are also a private business and can reach hefty fees.

• The cost for an ambulance ranges from $400 to over $1200, depending on the mileage.
• The cost for an air ambulance ranges from $2,000 to upwards of $200,000

Medical tests/screenings

Doctors in the US tend to order more medical tests as compared to other countries. This has been referred to as “defensive medicine” – as a way of protecting themselves from a possible lawsuit. What’s more, these tests are also more expensive.

• Blood tests can range from $100 to upwards of $3,000 in price
• An X-Ray can range from $150 to over $3,000
• An MRI can cost from $1,000 to more than $5,000

Medications

Another reason why medical costs are so high in the US is because the government does not negotiate the prices of prescription drugs with pharmaceutical companies before they release them. As such, these prices are often very high. Diabetes medication, for example, can cost upwards of $500.

On the other hand, you can find over-the-counter medication (cold medicine, pain reliever etc) for very reasonable prices.

Surgery

Prices for surgical procedures in the US depend on the type of procedure you need. For example, tonsillectomy can set you back from $4,000 to $8,000 or more. Gallbladder removal is at least $10,000 whereas brain and heart surgery can reach hundreds of thousands.

In addition, you may also be required to pay additional fees for hospital stay, per-hour costs of the operating room as well as the anesthesia.

Hospitalization

The price of a hospital stay in the US can change from one hospital to the other, but on average, it is about $3,000 per day. This means that a ten-day recovery period may set you back $30,000.

If your condition requires you to recover in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), the price is even higher than that.

Dental treatment

A trip to the dentist can also be pricey, although it’s not going to put you at risk of bankruptcy. A dental examination costs about $50, whereas a tooth extraction is set at about $280. Average prices for some other common dental problems are:

• Tooth filling: $115 – $190
• Root canal: $695
• Sedated tooth removal: $217
• Wisdom tooth removal: $175

Health Insurance for Tourists in the US

Unlike for Schengen Visas, tourists to the US do not necessarily have to purchase travel health insurance before they enter the country. However, when faced with the hefty fees, obtaining short-term travel health insurance is the superior option to paying from your own pocket. If nothing, it will give you peace of mind knowing that even if something happens, you won’t be at risk of going bankrupt from a visit to the ER.

The price of the insurance plan changes. It can be as little as $2 per day to over $10 per day, depending on the coverage you select, the number of days you are staying in the US, as well as your age.

Health Insurance for Expatriates in the US

If you intend to live in the US long-term, you have to get private health insurance. Again, health insurance in the US is not compulsory. You have the option of forgoing it but it will be at your own risk.

If you are a US Work Visa holder, in many cases, your employer will provide health insurance for you. If they do not, you must purchase it yourself through an international health insurance company.

If you are an international student, you can get F1 Visa Health Insurance, which is often offered by the school as a compulsory insurance plan with predetermined coverage. Even so, you usually have to pay for the insurance plan yourself.

Health insurance plans in the US cost an average of $400 per month, depending on the state as well as the coverage and the health insurance company you choose.

Note: Please keep in mind that this article is for informational purposes only and that the costs displayed are an average and may differ from state to state and even from one hospital or one doctor to the other.

The post Healthcare Costs in the USA for Expatriates and Visitors appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.