ISHIP Office

International Student Health Insurance Program – ISHIP

In coordination with UW’s International Student Services and Hall Health Center, ISHIP works with international students to meet health insurance requirements while enrolled at the University of Washington.

• International students in an F or J visa status at UW are required by federal and state laws to maintain health insurance while studying in the U.S.
• All F-1 and J-1 eligible international students who are enrolled in an academic program of study and issued an I-20 or DS-2019 by an approved UW Designated School Official (DSO), and are residing in the U.S. are required to purchase the UW’s International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP). 
• UW F-1 and J-1 students will automatically be enrolled in the student-only insurance coverage each quarter they are registered for classes. Students can select the annual insurance coverage to maintain 12 months of coverage if they prefer rather than quarter by quarter requiring registration each term.
• Students who plan to travel to the U.S. before the effective date of ISHIP coverage, are encouraged to purchase separately short-term medical coverage during this time period. Information about companies that offer supplemental short-term “GAP” medical coverage can be found on Leaving UW webpage.

Non-International Students

ISHIP coverage is not available to UW students who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or any other non-immigrant visa status. Please refer to Hall Health for insurance plan options and questions about insurance.

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