Visitors Visa - Overseas Visitors Health Cover | Bupa (2024)

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Australia is a wonderful and popular country to visit. With pristine beaches, fascinating wildlife and plenty of sun to look forward to, the last thing on your mind might be how you would pay for health cover if you needed it!

As with all overseas travel, it’s vital to ensure you will be protected in the incidence of illness or accident when visiting Australia. For those entering Australia on a non-working or tourist visa find out what you are entitled to, what you need, and what you need to look out for when purchasing a health insurance policy.

Different types of visitor visa

One factor that determines the level of health insurance protection you will need is the type of visitor visa you have. There are six different classes of visitor visa for Australia:

  • Electronic Travel Authority: This allows you to visit Australia for personal or business reasons such as attending conferences or trade fairs, but not to work here. You can visit as many times as you want within one year and stay for up to three months each visit.
  • eVisitor: This allows you to visit as a tourist or for voluntary working purposes You can stay for up to three months at a time within a 12-month period. You can’t work for profit on this visa, but some voluntary work may be allowed.
  • Transit visa: This allows you and any dependent children to travel through Australia on route to somewhere else for no more than 72 hours.
  • Visitor visa: Commonly known as the visitor visa 600, this allows you to visit as a tourist or business visitor for up to 3, 6 or 12 months. Each visa has different conditions depending on individual circ*mstances.
  • Work and holiday visa/ Working holiday visa: These are both for young people aged 18-30 who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to one year. Different countries are eligible for each of these visas.

When is health insurance for visitors required?

Different types of visas carry different health insurance requirements, so it’s vital that you check before you travel.

Health insurance is required for any type of visitor visa to be granted if your country does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia. However, the Australian government strongly recommends that all visitors take out private health insurance before they travel.

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements and access to Medicare

Some countries have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia. These are:

  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • Sweden
  • Finland
  • Malta
  • Slovenia

If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you may be entitled to emergency medical treatment when visiting Australia under the public health system, Medicare. Check with Medicare to confirm all eligibility criteria.

However, Medicare may only cover any treatment that is deemed absolutely necessary in an emergency. Any other treatment you may need is your own responsibility and can be extremely costly. One day in the hospital can cost you over $1,000 just in hospital fees. Without overseas visitor health cover, you could find yourself thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Tips for choosing health insurance

Treatments covered under visitor health insurance vary between different providers and policies; with Bupa you can choose between hospital only cover and hospital with extras. We also cover you 100% in the event you require emergency ambulance services by our recognised providers.

Our extras package can help cover the cost of other types of treatment, such as if you need to see a dental practitioner, physiotherapist, chiropractor or optometrist during your stay subject to waiting periods, fund rules and annual limits.

Things to look out for

Restrictions apply to all healthcare policies for overseas visitors. Most policies will not cover treatment which is covered by compensation or damages, such as if you’ve been injured in an accident. Treatment you have pre-arranged before arriving in Australia, such as if you have a condition that needs constant management, may also not be covered. Always check the full terms and conditions of your policy.

Make sure you’re fully aware of any waiting periods that apply to your policy. Waiting periods are the minimum time you need to have held your policy before it will cover any medical expenses. Age restrictions may also apply.

Before you undertake any travel, it’s important to do your research. Check the terms of your visa and make sure you’re selecting the appropriate cover for your own individual circ*mstances. This will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your time in Australia to the fullest.

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Visitors Visa - Overseas Visitors Health Cover | Bupa (2024)

FAQs

Can someone with a visitor visa get health insurance? ›

If you're on a tourist visa, you can purchase travel medical insurance covering emergency medical services and transport, if needed, to a healthcare facility.

Is health insurance mandatory for B1 B2 visa? ›

Visitor health insurance is not a requirement of all United States visas, but it is recommended for travelers whose domestic health plans offer little or no international coverage. After all, you never know when you may encounter a travel mishap, injury, or illness that results in unexpected expenses.

What is condition 8501 for overseas visitors health cover? ›

Condition 8501 means that you must have and maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia. All our Working Visitors Covers meet condition 8501. None of our current Non-Working Visitors Covers meet these requirements.

Do I need health insurance for a visitor visa in Australia? ›

Health insurance is required for any type of visitor visa to be granted if your country does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia.

What happens if a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance? ›

Seek Emergency Care When Necessary

In life-threatening medical situations, don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency room. Medical providers are required by law to stabilize patients in emergency situations regardless of their insurance status.

Can someone with a tourist visa go to the hospital? ›

For International Patients/Caregivers

Those patients arriving from abroad will need to obtain a B-2 temporary visitor's visa for medical treatment prior to entering the United States for medical treatment.

How much does visitor insurance cost? ›

Insurance for visitors can cost about $200 to $400, on average, according to VisitorsCoverage, a visitor insurance comparison provider. But many factors will influence what you pay, such as the type of policy you buy, your coverage amounts, your age and the length of your trip.

Which insurance is best for visitors to the USA? ›

Best Medical Insurance for Visitors to USA

One of the top rated and recommended visitors insurance plans is CoverAmerica-Gold, a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan which offers 100% coverage after the deductible is satisfied and allows easy and affordable access to urgent care and an extensive PPO network.

Is visitor insurance mandatory? ›

While visitor insurance isn't generally a requirement to come to the US (this may depend on if your parents are required to have a visa and what type they're required to carry), an unexpected medical event such as an accident or emergency could be costly.

What is considered a medical emergency for travel insurance? ›

This coverage can reimburse the reasonable and customary costs of emergency medical or dental care (up to the limits stated in your plan) if, while traveling, you experience a sudden, unexpected covered illness, injury, or medical condition that could cause serious harm if it is not treated; or a dental injury or ...

What is visa condition 8502? ›

8501 - Maintain adequate health insurance. 8502 - Not arrive before person specified in visa. 8503 - No further stay. 8516 - Continue to satisfy the criteria for the grant of the visa.

What is the 8503 visa condition? ›

Condition 8503 (“no. further stay”) What does condition 8503 mean? If since last entering Australia you have held a visa that has a “no further stay” condition imposed on it then you are not able to make an application for a substantive visa other than a protection visa.

Can a visitor visa get health insurance? ›

Health insurance for non residents in USA with tourist visa is very important as they are ineligible for domestic health insurance in the USA. The safest way to secure oneself is buying US tourist visa health insurance. These US tourist visa insurance are useful for vacationers to cover medical expenses.

Are visa holders eligible for Medicare? ›

Everyone Can Apply. As of Jan. 1, 2024, adults in California ages 26 through 49 will be allowed to qualify for Medi-Cal, regardless of their immigration status. All other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, will still apply.

Can I use my health insurance overseas? ›

Generally, most domestic health insurance policies are not accepted abroad, so there is a benefit to purchasing travel medical insurance as a supplement to your health insurance coverage. The travel medical coverage is only valid while you're traveling.

Can non-US citizens get health insurance? ›

If you're a “qualified non-citizen,” you're generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if you meet state income and residency rules.

Can you get Medi-Cal on tourist visa? ›

Regardless of citizenship or immigration status, anyone can apply for and receive some form of Medi-Cal, provided they meet all other Medi-Cal eligibility criteria.

Can I get insurance for someone with a visa? ›

If you're a U.S. citizen and want to purchase life insurance on your non-U.S. citizen spouse, the requirements are the same as if your spouse purchased it on him or herself. At minimum, your spouse will need a Social Security number. Most insurance companies also require a green card or valid visa.

Can a tourist get Medi-Cal treatment in the USA? ›

B-2 travelers seeking medical treatment must provide U.S. officials with a letter demonstrating their need for U.S. medical treatment. Ideally you will provide a letter from your local treating physician (on official letterhead) describing: the nature of your illness or ailment.

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