This archive report was first published on 31 October 2019.
On November 3rd, 2019, a significant policy change will take effect, impacting green card applicants from outside the United States.
Starting on this date, applicants will need to demonstrate to consular officers that they have unsubsidized health insurance within 30 days of arriving in the US or have sufficient funds to cover 'reasonably foreseeable medical costs' once in the country.
The new rule applies to individuals applying for immigrant visas from outside the country and does not affect those already living in the US who are applying for green cards.
Parents of adult US citizens are exempt from the rule but must prove they will not become a 'substantial burden' on the US healthcare system.
Other exempt classes of immigrants include those with an immigrant visa issued before November 3rd, 2019, refugees and asylum seekers, and Iraqi or Afghan nationals entering using Special Immigrant visas.
The Trump administration has specified that the following health insurance plans meet the new requirement:
- Employer-sponsored plans, including retiree plans, association health plans, and coverage under COBRA
- Any unsubsidized health plan bought through an Obamacare marketplace
- Short-term insurance covering at least 364 days, or until the start of a planned period of travel outside the United States
- Catastrophic plans
- Coverage under a family member's health insurance
- Certain military health insurance programs, including TRICARE
- Medicare plans
- Other plans approved by the Department of Health and Human Services
The Migration Policy Institute estimates that the policy change could lead to 375,000 people having their green card application rejected.
Immigration advocates argue that the policy change is aimed at limiting family-based migration, which President Trump has repeatedly called 'chain migration' and vowed to end.
