Do I need to maintain health insurance to renew my H-1B?

From an immigration standpoint, no. There is no legal requirement to maintain health insurance in order to renew your H-1B: immigration authorities do not condition visa renewal on having or keeping a health plan.

That does not mean it is irrelevant. Health insurance is often part of an employer’s benefits package, and living in the United States without coverage can pose a serious financial risk, given how high medical costs can be. In other words, even though it is not a renewal requirement, maintaining insurance tends to be a prudent personal and financial decision.

• H-1B renewal does not require proof of health insurance.
• Many employers already offer a health plan as a benefit.
• Coverage protects you against high medical costs, not your immigration status.

It is worth reviewing your employer’s policies and, if in doubt, confirming current requirements with USCIS and speaking with a specialist before your renewal.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.