Published: June 2025
The U.S. health care system’s layout can be rough—especially those who are immigrants and non-citizens. Whether one is on a work visa, green card, student visa, or undocumented, the access to health insurance is attainable provided you have the right information.
Judging by the information present, this guide of 2025 is going to be your best bet for understanding your options, rights, and the steps to affordable health coverage as an immigrant in the United States.
🌍 Who Is Considered a Non-Citizen?
A non-citizen is anyone living in the U.S. who is not a U.S. citizen. It can also mean:
- Green card holders (lawful permanent residents)
- Refugees or asylees
- Work visa holders (H-1B, L-1, etc.)
- International students (F-1, J-1 visas)
- DACA recipients
- Undocumented immigrants
It is important to remember that you have to meet several criteria (immigration status, income, and your area of living) to become eligible for health insurance.
✅ Can Immigrants Get Health Insurance?
Yes. A significant number of present immigrant immigrants can buy:
- Marketplace insurance via HealthCare.gov
- Medicaid or CHIP (in some states)
- Employer-sponsored insurance
- Private health insurance
- Short-term or visitor plans (for temporary stays)
🛡️ HealthCare.gov Marketplace Eligibility
If you are a U.S. resident (green card, work visa, refugee, DACA, etc.), you have a chance to be part of the HealthCare.gov marketplace, and you may get insurance.
| Benefit Type | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Marketplace Plans | Yes |
| Premium Tax Credits | Yes (based on income) |
| Cost-Sharing Reductions | Yes (for lower-income applicants) |
| Medicaid (in some states) | After 5-year residency (some exceptions) |
🩺 Health Insurance Options for Non-Citizens (2025)
1. Marketplace Plans (ACA)
- One can apply regardless of income level even having lawfully present status.
- With the help of this program lawfully present immigrants (and U.S. citizens with low income and not moderate) would receive subsidies if inadequate to pay the total cost, thus make them the target of the program.
- he facility is available to citizens as well as to immigrants.
2. Employer-Sponsored Insurance
- It is a case of being available if your employer allows this type of insurance.
- Mostly it provides medical services for spouses and underage children.
- The deductions from the paycheck can be lessened by receiving the employee’s contribution on a pre-tax basis.
3. Medicaid and CHIP
Some states have the provisions of Medicaid and Care for children’s health insurance programs which are open to:
- Pregnant non-citizens
- Children under 18
- Lawfully present immigrants
- Prenatal care is also available to non-residents in some states.
4. Visitor or Travel Insurance
- Passport or visa documents
- Green card or USCIS number
- Income verification (pay stubs, tax returns)
- Address and SSN (if available)
5. Community Health Clinics
- Provide help to low-income uninsured immigrants (irrespective of their legality)
- Deliver basic health services, tests, and the contacts of the specialists
- You can choose one from the HR
🗺️ Best States for Immigrant Health Coverage
There are few states that actually are not so much strict and are more inclusive with immigrant health care access:
| State | Support for Immigrants |
|---|---|
| California | Medi-Cal for undocumented children & adults |
| New York | State-funded Medicaid for immigrants |
| Illinois | Health benefits for undocumented seniors |
| Washington | Expanded access via state exchange |