Studying in the United States is very expensive, and medical care costs are among the highest in the world. That’s why having affordable health insurance is mandatory for international students on F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas as well as for dependants on F2 visa and J2 visa.
At American Visitor Insurance, we offer a range of budget-friendly student health insurance plans for 2026. Some of the most popular options include:
These plans are designed to help students stay covered while managing costs. Below, we’ll explain each plan in detail to help you choose the one that best fits your needs and university requirements.
Here are some of the top cheapest student health insurance plans in 2026: Student Journey Lite , StudentSecure Smart, StudentSecure Budget, and Student Journey Plus, available on American Visitor Insurance.
Student Journey Lite insurance from IMG is the most affordable international student health insurance plan, starting around $30 per month. It provides essential medical coverage for F1 , M1 and J1 visa holders, making it a great choice for budget-conscious students who want basic protection while studying in the USA.
StudentSecure Smart is the most budget-friendly international student health insurance plan from WorldTrips. It’s designed for students studying abroad who need affordable, essential medical coverage, often meeting J-1 visa requirements. The plan keeps premiums low by offering reduced coverage limits while still providing important benefits such as emergency evacuation, mental health support, and basic medical care.
Student Journey Plus insurance from IMG is an affordable plan with higher coverage, designed for F1, M1, and J1 visa holders. It provides more comprehensive protection for emergencies, hospitalization, doctor visits, and medical evacuation, making it ideal for students who want better coverage while keeping costs reasonable.
StudentSecure Budget from WorldTrips is a budget-friendly health insurance plan for F-1 and J-1 students. It offers slightly higher coverage than entry-level options and provides reliable medical protection while studying in the USA. Benefits include emergency care, limited sports coverage, and coverage for pre-existing conditions after a waiting period. This plan is ideal for students who want affordable, compliant insurance with extra benefits.
Below is a quick comparison of some of the cheapest health insurance options for international students, including budget-friendly student plans and low-cost visitor insurance from American Visitor Insurance. This table helps you compare coverage limits, per illness benefits, and costs at a glance.
| Plan | Medical Max | Per Illness/Injury | Deductible | Monthly cost | Yearly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite | $400,000 | $150,000 | $100 | $30 | $360 | Most budget-friendly IMG plan |
| StudentSecure Smart | $200,000 | $100,000 | $0 | $32 | $372 | Cheapest option for essential coverage |
| Student Journey Plus | Unlimited | $300,000 | $500 | $48 | $576 | Higher coverage, more protection |
| StudentSecure Budget | $500,000 | $250,000 | $0 | $53 | $624 | Better coverage with extra benefit |
When choosing the cheapest insurance for international students, students should not focus only on the monthly price. It is important to look at how much coverage the plan provides, how much you may need to pay out of pocket, and whether the insurance is accepted by your university. Sometimes, paying a little more each month can offer better coverage and help avoid high medical bills later.
At American Visitor Insurance, students can compare multiple low-cost student health insurance plans in one place and choose a plan that fits both their budget and university requirements.
Before buying a student health insurance plan, international students should:
Majority of the universities in the United States permit foreign students with F-1 and J-1 visas to buy third-party health insurance provided the policy complies with the minimum coverage requirements. American Visitor Insurance has affordable plans like Student Journey Lite, StudentSecure Smart, Student Journey Plus and StudentSecure Budget that usually cover the common visa and university insurance requirements including and not limited to the medical emergencies, hospitalization, and medical evacuation.
Since insurance requirements vary by school, students should always confirm waiver eligibility with their university’s international student office before purchasing a plan. American Visitor Insurance can also help students compare plans and choose one that best fits their school’s requirements.
International students can save money on health insurance in the USA by choosing budget-friendly plans that still meet visa and university requirements. Comparing coverage options, deductibles, and payment terms can significantly reduce overall costs.
Students can save on health insurance by:
International students have the opportunity to save on health insurance costs in the United States by selecting affordable plans that fulfill the requirements set by both the visa and the university. Total costs can be reduce emarkably by comparing the options in terms of coverage, deductibles, and payment plans.
Ways for Students to Save on Health Insurance:Using American Visitor Insurance to compare different plans and find the best one. By the selection of the right plan according to coverage needs and budget, international students can be secured in the USA without incurring unnecessary costs.
Compare prices, review benefits, and buy affordable international student health insurance online in minutes. At American Visitor Insurance, our licensed agents can help you choose the cheapest plan that meets your visa and university requirements.
Choosing the right health insurance plan as an international student in the USA can be challenging. American Visitor Insurance makes it simple to find affordable, visa-compliant, and comprehensive coverage that fits your budget and university requirements. Here’s why students often choose them:
American Visitor Insurance specializes in student health coverage, offering plans designed for F-1, J-1, and M-1 visa holders. Their options, like Student Journey Lite, StudentSecure Smart, Student Journey Plus and StudentSecure Budget, are specifically structured to meet U.S. visa and university insurance requirements.
With monthly premiums starting as low as $30, students can access essential medical coverage without paying for expensive university-sponsored plans. Even budget-friendly options include emergency care, hospitalization, doctor visits, and coverage for acute or pre-existing conditions (depending on the plan).
Many plans can be purchased monthly or annually, allowing students to select a payment schedule that fits their financial situation. Plans also vary in coverage limits, deductibles, and benefits, making it easy to choose the right balance of cost and protection.
Students can access care across the United States, with direct billing available through major networks like UnitedHealthcare PPO. This helps minimize out-of-pocket expenses and ensures easy access to doctors, hospitals, and urgent care centers.
American Visitor Insurance makes it easy for international students to review and compare affordable plans from trusted insurers, helping them secure coverage that meets visa standards and campus requirements without overspending.
Many plans include additional benefits such as medical evacuation, maternity care, mental health support, and sports coverage, providing students with broader protection while studying in the USA.
Bottom Line: For international students seeking affordable, reliable, and compliant health insurance, American Visitor Insurance offers a convenient way to compare and purchase plans that meet both visa and university requirements, helping students stay protected without overspending.
Student Journey Lite is one of the cheap insurance for international students , starting at around $30 per month for a 20-year-old student.
Yes. Plans like StudentSecure Smart and StudentSecure Budget can be purchased on a monthly or yearly basis.
cheap insurance for international students usually cover emergency and basic medical needs. Students who want broader protection may choose plans with higher coverage limits.
The cheapest health insurance option for F-1 students in the USA is typically Student Journey Lite, which starts at around $30 per month for a 20-year-old student. Other low-cost plans like StudentSecure Smart (around $32/month) also offer affordable coverage while meeting basic visa and university requirements. These plans are ideal for budget-conscious students who still want reliable medical protection.
Student health insurance in the USA typically costs between $30 and $55 per month for international students, depending on the plan and coverage level. Based on popular budget plans available through American Visitor Insurance, annual costs usually range from $360 to $624 per year. The exact price depends on factors such as age, coverage limits, deductible, and the level of benefits selected.
Coverage for pre-existing conditions depends on the specific student insurance plan. Some budget plans cover pre-existing conditions after a waiting period, while others only cover the acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
For Example:
Students should carefully review plan details and waiting periods before purchasing coverage through American Visitor Insurance.
International students can compare and buy cheap international student health insurance plans online through American Visitor Insurance, which offers multiple low-cost student insurance options.
Students without health insurance may face high medical bills and could be in violation of university or visa requirements.
Studying in the USA can be expensive, and medical costs are among the highest in the world. Affordable health insurance is mandatory for international students on F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas. American Visitor Insurance offers budget-friendly plans in 2026, including Student Journey Lite, StudentSecure Smart, Student Journey Plus and StudentSecure Budget, designed to meet visa and university requirements while keeping costs low.
Students should compare plans based on coverage limits, deductibles, pre-existing condition coverage, and university acceptance, not just price. Paying slightly more for better coverage can prevent costly medical bills. American Visitor Insurance allows students to compare multiple low-cost plans and choose the one that best fits their budget and school requirements.
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Student Journey Lite 
StudentSecure Smart