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Planning Your Arrival (Scholars) — USC OIS

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USC is proud of its long tradition of involvement in international exchange, and we look forward to having you join us. Please review this page and watch our pre-departure video for new J-1 scholars to plan your arrival to campus.

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Before departing for the United States, please carefully review the following checklist to ensure a smooth transition to USC.

[Photo] A student rides a pink bicycle through a busy campus pedestrian walkway while other students walk and use scooters in both directions. Bright sunlight creates long shadows along the wide path.

Any J-1 exchange visitor in an “initial” program of study or research is required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, which supports operational expenses toward the Student and Exchange Visitor Program System (SEVIS) database, to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The SEVIS fee is a separate charge and must be paid in addition to any visa or USC-related fees.

While exchange visitors may schedule their visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate before paying this fee, the SEVIS fee must be paid at least three business days prior to the visa interview. Print the fee payment receipt to present at the visa interview and at the U.S. Port of Entry. The visa application will be denied if the SEVIS fee is not paid.

Please note that Citizens of Canada and Bermuda, while exempt from obtaining a J-1 visa stamp, are still required to pay the SEVIS fee at least three business days prior to entering the United States.

  • Two groups of people do not need to pay a SEVIS fee:

    • J-1 exchange visitors transferring to USC from another U.S. institution do not pay a SEVIS I-901 fee.
    • J-2 dependents do not pay a SEVIS I-901 fee.

The U.S. Department of State and J-1 visa regulations 22 CFR 62.14 require all exchange visitors and accompanying J-2 dependents to be covered by adequate health and accident insurance for the program duration. Failure to carry adequate insurance may lead to termination of your J-1 status.

  • Health insurance must meet the following minimum coverage requirements. Please refer to the USC health benefits section below to determine whether your USC-provided insurance meets these requirements:

    • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness.
    • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000.
    • Medical evacuation to home country in the amount of $50,000.
    • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

    A provider must issue insurance policies that meet these requirements with one of the following ratings:

    • An AM Best rating of “A−” or above; a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A−” or above; a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above; a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A−” or above; a Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above; or such other rating as the U.S. Department of State may from time to time specify.
    • Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country.
    • Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor.
    • Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization or eligible Competitive Medical Plan as determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    An exchange visitor may be insured by a company from their home country. Please be aware that if you require medical care at a hospital or clinic in the United States, you may be asked to pay up front and then be reimbursed by your insurance company.

  • J-1 Scholars Paid by USC

    J-1 scholars paid by USC may be provided health and accident insurance as part of the USC benefits program. However, repatriation of remains and medical evacuation are not included in the USC health insurance plan, so scholars will need to purchase additional insurance to maintain their J-1 status.

    J-1 Postdoctoral at University Park Campus or Health Sciences Campus

    J-1 postdoctoral employees employed through USC are enrolled in Garnett Powers health insurance, which meets all U.S. Department of State requirements.

    J-1 Postdoctoral at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

    J-1 postdoctoral employees paid by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) may be provided health and accident insurance as part of the CHLA medical plan. However, repatriation of remains and medical evacuation are not included in this plan, so postdoctoral employees will need to purchase additional insurance to maintain their J-1 status.

    J-1 SubcategoryRequired to Purchase J-1 Insurance?
    J-1 postdoctoral research scholar and dependents at University Park CampusNo
    J-1 postdoctoral research scholar and dependents at Health Sciences CampusNo
    J-1 postdoctoral research scholar and dependents at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles campusYes
    J-1 research scholar and dependents at all campuses with USC health insuranceYes
    J-1 research scholar and dependents at all campuses without USC health insuranceYes
    J-1 degree and non-degree students at all campusesNo
    J-1 non-degree student researchersYes
    J-2 dependentsYes. Must purchase a separate insurance policy.

  • The period of required coverage is the actual duration of the exchange visitor’s participation in the sponsor’s exchange visitor program as recorded in SEVIS in the “program start date” and “program end date.”

    Exchange visitors should consider purchasing insurance to cover their stay in the United States during their 30-day grace periods before and after their program end dates.

  • If the exchange visitor is sponsored by an organization, they should be aware of the following information:

    • Sponsors are not authorized to charge fees to their sponsored exchange visitors for the provision of insurance coverage beyond any demonstrable and justifiable staff time.
    • Sponsors are not required to, but may, offer supplemental “entry to exit” coverage (i.e., coverage from the time the exchange visitor departs his or her home country until they return).
    • If the sponsor provides health insurance or arranges for the exchange visitor to be offered health insurance via payroll deduction at the host organization, the exchange visitor must voluntarily authorize this action in writing and be permitted to make other arrangements to obtain insurance.

  • Exchange visitors are welcome to select their preferred insurance company, as long as their plan meets the minimum coverage requirements listed above. 

    Below are three American companies that offer acceptable health insurance plans specifically developed for participants in international educational activities.

    Lewer Global
    Phone: 1-800-821-7711
    Email: InternationalStudents@lewer.com

    International Student Insurance
    Phone: 1-877-758-4391 or 1-904-758-4391
    Email: info@internationalstudentinsurance.com

    Garnett Power
    Phone: 1-888-441-3719
    Email: UniversityServices.GBS.jvisainsurance@ajg.com

J-1 exchange visitors may receive funding from multiple sources, including USC, the visitor’s home government, the visitor’s home university, personal sources and outside organizations. Please review the J-1 exchange visitor funding requirements to plan how to fund your time at USC.

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