Health Insurance & Immunizations

Health Insurance Requirement for F-1 and J-1 Students

Any international student with F-1 and J-1 visa status who is enrolled at the UW in a program that lasts a quarter or longer must purchase the UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP).

You are enrolled automatically for quarterly, student-only coverage for each quarter you register for classes. If you want to enroll your spouse and/or children, you must indicate this when you register and complete and submit a dependent enrollment form. 

The insurance requirement can be waived only for students who are funded by their government or by the U.S. government.

Cost Per Quarter

Below are ISHIP fees for the 2024–25 school year. All costs are subject to change.

Student-only plan: $449 per quarter

F-2 dependents: $439 per person per quarter

Coverage Periods

ISHIP is valid for the following dates of coverage:

• Autumn 2024: Sep 1, 2024–Jan 6, 2025
• Winter 2025: Jan 6–Mar 30, 2025
• Spring 2025: Mar 31–Jun 22, 2025
• Summer 2025: Jun 23–Aug 31, 2025

Plan Benefits

See the LifeWise Benefit Booklet for a detailed explanation of the medical benefits provided under the ISHIP plan. You may also want to visit the ISHIP Resources page, which contains videos, forms and other useful information in a variety of languages. If you have additional questions, visit the ISHIP Office, which is located in the Husky Health Center in room 187B of the Health Promotion Office, or visit the ISHIP Office website.

Insurance for Non-F-1 Students

If you’re studying in one of our programs but are not in the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you’re not eligible to purchase health insurance through the UW. Because visits to hospitals and medical clinics are expensive in the United States, we strongly recommend that non-F-1 students purchase medical/travel insurance in their home country that will provide coverage for the duration of their stay in Seattle.

Immunizations

Because the health of our students is important to us, UW IELP students are encouraged to stay up to date on recommended vaccines. However, IELP students are no longer required to provide proof of immunity.

COVID-19 Immunization Requirement

The COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required for IELP students. 

Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination remains strongly encouraged and is an important public health measure to reduce the risk of disease transmission and severe illness. Please also follow the University’s COVID-19 Public Health Flowchart if you develop symptoms, test positive, or have an exposure to COVID-19.