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Last updated April 1, 2024
Traveling abroad can be an exciting experience. While preparing for your trip, you will likely spend lot of your time planning and making arrangements for your visa, flights and accommodations, researching tourist attractions, and buying clothes and toiletries. One thing you don't want to forget is travel insurance. There is always a chance you will become sick or injured in a foreign country, and your domestic insurance may be very limited, or may not provide any coverage at all. This is a major reason why it is important to purchase proper travel medical insurance for traveling abroad.
Many countries worldwide have had to pick up the bill for medical expenses tourists incurred during their visit. As a result, more and more countries are requiring that travelers to their country carry proper travel insurance so that they aren't left with the financial burden of medical bills left unpaid by tourists. Furthermore, the coronavirus pandemic has led to many countries reevaluating their insurance requirements for visitors. The following countries have such requirements in effect now:
- Bolivia
Every visitor to Bolivia is required to have travel medical insurance specifically covering medical emergencies, as well as the treatment of COVID-19.
Bolivia Travel Insurance - Cuba
Those traveling to Cuba, including Cubans living abroad and visiting temporarily, are required to purchase travel medical insurance for visiting the island nation. As it has become relatively easier for some Americans to visit Cuba in recent years, there has been a significant increase in demand for Cuban tourism.
Cuba Travel Insurance - Ecuador
The Ecuadorian Congress has abolished travel insurance requirements for visitors to the country. However, visitors must show proof of health or travel insurance in order to travel to the Galapagos Islands, which are a part of Ecuador. - Ecuador Travel Insurance
- European Schengen Countries
For those traveling to any of the 29 Schengen countries in Europe, if a person is required to obtain Schengen visa, they would require a compliant health insurance plan that would cover at least €30,000 Euros (EUR 30 000) in medical benefits, as well as provide the coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
Schengen Visa InsuranceYou can visit the link above to instantly purchase Schengen visa insurance and print the visa letter to take to the embassy or consulate.
US citizens visiting Schengen countries for less than 90 days are not required to have visa. For any visit longer than that or for long term stay, a Schengen visa is required.
- Iran
Valid travel medical insurance is an entry requirement for anyone trying to get an Iranian visa and must be shown upon landing at the international airport in Iran. If you do not have a valid travel health insurance plan, you will be required to buy one before you can enter Iran.
Iran Travel Insurance - Jordan
As of December, 2022, the Jordanian government states that all visitors must acknowledge that they will take full financial responsibility for all treatment costs if they become sick with COVID-19 and do not have travel insurance that provides coverage for it.
Jordan Travel Insurance - Laos
Laos mandates all foreign citizens entering Laos to purchase travel medical insurance that provides COVID-19 coverage.
Laos Travel Insurance - Nepal
Tourists visiting Nepal are required to provide proof of travel medical insurance coverage for the duration of their trip.
Nepal Travel Insurance - Pitcairn Islands
A British Overseas Territory, the Pitcairn Islands require all international visitors to show proof of travel medical insurance providing emergency medical evacuation coverage when finalizing their travel arrangements.
Pitcairn Islands Travel Insurance - Puerto Rico
As a United States territory, Puerto Rico is subject to the same travel requirements for international visitors as the rest of the US, starting November 8, 2021.
Exchange visitors in Puerto Rico on a J visa and their dependents are required by the U.S. Department of State to have medical insurance providing at least $100,000 per incident coverage, $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage, and $25,000 in repatriation of remains coverage.
Puerto Rico Travel Insurance - Qatar
Expatriates living in Qatar are required to carry sufficient medical insurance.
Qatar Travel Insurance - Russia
If your country requires visiting Russian citizens to have travel insurance before visiting your country, Russia requires you to get the same when visiting Russia.
Russia Travel Insurance - Rwanda
Rwandan law requires that any person in Rwandan territory must possess adequate health insurance. If you attempt to enter the country without it, you will be required to purchase a health insurance plan on arrival. It is better to be prepared and purchase a plan in advance so you have better options and a better idea of what you’re buying.
Rwanda Travel Insurance - Saudi Arabia
All visitors to Saudi Arabia are required to have health insurance that can provide coverage for the treatment of COVID-19. Saudi Arabia Travel Insurance - Seychelles
Visitors must ensure that they have a valid travel insurance that provides coverage for COVID-19 treatment, quarantine and isolation for the duration of their stay in the Seychelles.
Seychelles Travel Insurance - Thailand
As of January 9, 2023, Thailand requires all visitors to provide proof of insurance covering COVID-19 if they are traveling onward to a country that requires a negative COVID-19 test result for entry.
Thailand Travel Insurance - Ukraine
Ukraine requires visitors to have an insurance policy issued by an insurance company that is registered in Ukraine. The insurance must cover COVID-related medical expenses.
Ukraine Travel Insurance - United Kingdom
Travel health insurance isn't required for visitors to the UK; however, it is highly recommended to buy in case of unexpected medical emergencies. If you did not purchase travel medical insurance and medical treatment is necessary, you will be expected to pay the costs from your own pocket. If you decide to just leave the country with the bills unpaid, then you would likely not be approved for a visa the next time you want to visit.
UK Travel Insurance - United States
For exchange visitors on a J visa, the U.S. Department of State requires that every participant and their dependent(s) have medical insurance with at least $100,000 per incident coverage along with $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation and $25,000 in repatriation of remains coverage.
J Visa Insurance
Healthcare costs in the US are among the highest in the world, and most visitors cannot afford healthcare in the United States without insurance. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all visitors to the US have visitors insurance that can cover them for new sicknesses and injuries for the duration of their trip.
It is important to keep in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation where the insurance and entry requirements for countries may change regularly. It is recommended to check the insurance requirements of your destination thoroughly, to make sure you are purchasing coverage that meets all current requirements of the country.
It is possible that you may be able to purchase travel insurance from a local provider in their country or at the airport, but you are mostly likely going to be charged higher premiums and/or get less coverage. If you wait, you would have to make an immediate decision in hurry, with no time to review, shop around or even understand what you're purchasing if you are forced to buy at the airport. Therefore, it is always advisable to buy travel insurance in advance, from the comfort of your home, when you are relaxed and have more time to make an informed decision.