What Happens to Your Health Insurance When You Change Universities on an F-1 Visa? 

Changing universities in the United States on an F-1 visa is common. Students transfer schools for academic programs, location preferences, funding opportunities, or personal reasons.  Changing universities on an F-1 visa requires managing both SEVIS transfer and health insurance continuity to avoid gaps, penalties, or registration blocks. University plans often end abruptly, while private F-1 insurance provides flexibility. 

Table of Contents: 

• How F1 Transfers Affect Your Insurance? 
• What Typically Happens When You Leave Your Old University? 
• Avoiding Coverage Gaps Between Universities 
• Impact on SEVIS Status vs. Insurance Status 
• Conclusion 

How F1 Transfers Affect Your Insurance? 

Transferring schools means your SEVIS record moves from one SEVP-certified institution to another (school A→school B). But university health insurance is tied to each school, not your visa status.   

• Your current school’s plan typically ends on: the last day of the term, the date you withdraw, or the official coverage end date in the policy. 
• Your new school sets its own insurance start dates, enrollment rules, and waiver process. 
• You must actively manage the gap between old and new coverage to avoid being uninsured. 

In most cases, staying on valid F1 status also requires showing proof of insurance to register or remain enrolled. 

University-Sponsored Plans vs. Private Plans Sponsored Plans vs. Private Plans 

Most US universities either require their own student health insurance plan or allow you to waive it with comparable coverage. 

1. Mandatory school plans:  

• You are automatically enrolled and billed for the premium each term as part of tuition/fees. 
• Some schools require F1 students to buy the campus plan unless you meet very strict exceptions.​ 

2. Insurance Waiver : You can buy a compatible private plan and submit a waiver form. If a school has an option to waive the school’s insurance, they usually require all the insurance requirements on the waiver to be met. Many private insurances may not be able to meet all the requirements. When you change universities, you must check the new school’s rules; a plan that meets 

3. Your old school’s waiver criteria may be rejected by the new one. 

What Typically Happens When You Leave Your Old University? 

As you withdraw or complete your last term at your old university, several things usually happen: 

• Your student insurance ends at the end of that term or on a fixed policy date (often different from your SEVIS transfer date). 
• You may lose access to the campus health center, counseling services, and low-cost labs as soon as you are no longer an enrolled student.  
• Some domestic students can use COBRA to continue employer-like coverage, but this rarely applies to F1 visa student plans. 
• Always confirm your exact coverage end date with your old school’s student health office and ask if there is any option to extend coverage briefly. 

Enrolling in Health Insurance at Your New University 

Once you are admitted and your SEVIS record is scheduled to transfer, your new school will give you health insurance instructions along with I20 and orientation details. 

Steps usually look like this: 

• Check if the new school automatically enrolls all F1 students in its university insurance plan. 
• If a waiver is allowed and you want a private plan: 
• Review the waiver form carefully. 
• Buy a plan that meets or exceeds every listed requirement. 
• Have the insurer complete and sign required sections, then upload or submit before the deadline. 
• Verify the coverage start date for the new plan. The deadline is often the first day of the term . Private insurance may not be able to backdate the policy start date.  

If the new school plan is mandatory (no waiver), you must  make sure there is no gap between your old plan’s end date and the new plan’s start date. 

Avoiding Coverage Gaps Between Universities 

Insurance gaps can be risky in the US, where simple ER visits can cost thousands of dollars. To stay protected:​ 

• Confirm the old plan end date and new plan start date in writing (email is fine). 
• If there are  gaps of a few weeks or months, consider: 
• A short-term international student plan that can start immediately and cover you till  your new school plan begins. Extending any private F1 plan you already have, if it is not tied to your old school. 
• Make sure any gap filler plan will be accepted for waiver purposes if the new school requires continuous coverage over break periods.  
• Even if your school does not check for those gap days, being uninsured during a transfer is a major financial risk. 

If You Use a Private International Student Plan 

Some F1 students choose private plans instead of school plans for lower costs or better benefits. These plans are not automatically cancelled when you transfer schools as they are not linked to the University. 

• You can usually keep the same plan when transferring, as long as: 
• You remain in valid F1 status. 
• You stay inside the plan coverage area (e.g., in the US). 
• For the new school, you will likely need: 
• A letter of coverage or certificate from the insurer. 
• A completed waiver form signed by the insurance company.​ 

However, some universities reject international plans domiciled outside the US for waiver purposes, so always check the new school’s list of acceptable plan types first. 

Impact on SEVIS Status vs. Insurance Status 

Your SEVIS transfer and your health insurance move on parallel tracks but are managed by different offices: 

• SEVIS transfer: handled by International Student Services or similar; it controls your visa status. 
• Health insurance: handled by Student Health or the insurance office; it controls billing and medical coverage or a private insurance company. 

You can be in valid F1 status with an active SEVIS record but still uninsured if you miss enrollment or waiver deadlines. Many schools treat lack of required insurance as a violation of university policy, which can indirectly affect your ability to register or stay enrolled. 

Practical Checklist When Changing Universities 

Use this quick checklist to stay organized during your transfer: 

• Ask your old school: “What is my last day of health insurance coverage?” 
• Ask your new school: “When does my student health plan start? Is insurance mandatory for F1 students? Can I waive the plan with a private policy? What are the waiver requirements and deadlines?” 
• If using a private plan: 
• Confirm it meets the new waiver form’s coverage, deductible, and network rules. 
• Get all documents ready at least 1–2 weeks before the waiver deadline. 
• Ensure no uninsured gap between your old and new coverage dates. 

Conclusion 

F-1 transfers demand proactive insurance management—university plans may create gaps; private plans bridge them seamlessly. University-sponsored plans often end when enrollment changes, while private F-1 insurance plans usually offer more continuity. By understanding your coverage options, meeting new school requirements, and avoiding coverage gaps, you can protect your health and stay compliant throughout your academic transition.