Overview
Students on F-1 and J-1 visas are required to have insurance by Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009. Insurance is required to keep your immigration status valid. The regulation specifies the type and amounts of insurance and how long you must have it for. F-1 and J-1 students have the following obligations: Failure to comply with these requirements forces the University of West Florida to terminate your immigration status. This process is managed by International Programs. For help with the process, please email international@uwf.edu or call (850)474-2479.
Instructions
Determine What Insurance to Use
The University of West Florida has pre-approved plans you can use. This is the best option if you are unsure about your current insurance. Many insurance plans (including ones in the U.S.) do not meet the requirements. If you use a pre-approved plan, you do not have to submit a health insurance waiver.
If you do not submit a waiver by the deadline, you must purchase a pre-approved plan.
Pre-Approved Insurance Plans
The University of West Florida has pre-approved the following insurance plans:
Insurance for Students UWF Policy Option available at www.insuranceforstudents.com/uwf - Enroll with IFS using this link and UWF receives a confirmation if you purchase the UWF policy through Insurance for Students.
International student athletes on a UWF sports team: Go to https://www.insuranceforstudents.com/uwfsports to purchase the Intercollegiate Athletics insurance for Fall 2020. Only students who are competing on one of UWF's athletic sports teams may enroll in this option. Contact Kacy Bledsoe for more information.
International Student Insurance at https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/school_requirements/3882/University_of_West_Florida.html Enroll with ISI using this link and UWF receives a confirmation if you purchase the pre-approved policy through International Student Insurance.
Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission insurance (We must receive a copy of a valid Financial Guarantee as proof).
Kuwait Cultural Division insurance (We must receive a copy of the Financial Guarantee or the Certification of Insurance as proof).
**Students with one of the pre-approved insurances above are responsible for confirming UWF International Programs has received necessary documentation of coverage.
Using Your Own Insurance Plan - Submitting an International Student Health Insurance Waiver Form
You can use insurance from your home country or a different U.S. policy as long as you complete a waiver by the deadline.
The deadline for fall semester is August 15th
The deadline for spring and summer is December 15th
The deadline for Intensive English Program summer students is April 15th.
If purchasing an insurance that is not one of the pre-approved plans above, you must have the company confirm the insurance meets all of the requirements of Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009. Waivers submitted for insurance which does not meet ALL of the requirements outlined in BOG REG 6.009 will not be accepted. Please review all emails from International Programs regarding. insurance for important dates and deadline reminders. Please note that many foreign insurance companies and travel insurance plans do not meet the State of Florida regulations. With updated documentation process, it is possible that plans that have previously been accepted may not be accepted for Fall 2020 and beyond. UWF strongly encourages students to verify an alternative insurance will meet requirements for international student insurance BEFORE purchasing.
Late waiver form submissions will not be accepted. Students who have not submitted a valid waiver will be directed to purchase the pre-approved UWF policy.
How to Complete a Waiver Form
Log into MyUWF. Go to https://marina.uwf.edu/pass/dynamicforms/?formid=f8b8b732-6fbd-46e7-9b92-5ca62657a9c0. The form is not open all year. It is only open when waivers are being accepted.
Begin the Form
After logging in to MyUWF, you will be taken to the complete form screen. Click "Complete Form."
Choose Your Student Type
Choose your correct student type.
Exchange Student (use this if you are participating in an exchange with a partner university)
Intensive English Program (use this if you are only attending English as a Second Languages at the Intensive English Program)
Degree-Seeking Student (use this is you are in a bachelors, masters, specialist, or doctorate program)
Non-Degree Seeking Student (use this if you are not in a degree program, but you are attending regular university classes)
Special Program Student (use this if you are in a special program; you will have been notified to use this code)
Choose the Semester /Term
Choose the semester/term you are requesting the waiver for. Spring and Summer are attached for most students.
Enter Status with Athletics
Enter if you are on an athletic team at UWF, and click "Next."
Acknowledge and Certify the Waiver Conditions
At the beginning of the second page, you must acknowledge and certify a series of legally binding statements.
List Coverage Benefits
After the acknowledgements and certifications, you must answer "Yes" or "No" to the coverage requirements. For the waiver to be approved, all of the answers must be "Yes." However, it is very important that you do not falsify any of this information. Insurance fraud is a crime, and you can lose your immigration status if you falsify your information. Once you have answered the required questions, click "Next."
Enter Insurance Company Information
At the top of page three, enter as much information about your insurance company as you have. You must enter the Company Name, Start and End Dates, and the Insurance Company Phone Number.
Upload Proof of Insurance - Health Insurance Verification Form Completed and Signed by Insurance Company
After entering the insurance company information, you must upload proof of your insurance coverage. Students will need to contact the insurance company to complete the Health Insurance Verification Form - which requires signature of the student and completion and signature by the insurance company. **UWF is no longer accepting insurance letters, ID cards, or declaration of benefits pages. **
Download the Health Insurance Compliance Form
See the example completed form below. Students will need to have the Health Insurance Compliance Form completed by the insurance company and upload the completed document to the waiver form in MyUWF.
**UWF is no longer accepting insurance coverage letters, ID cards, or declaration of benefits pages. **
The uploaded completed Health Insurance Verification Form must be in English. Once you have completed the upload, Click, "Next," and sign the Health Insurance Waiver Form.
Receiving Approval
After your waiver has been submitted, it takes several days to get approval for the waiver. If you receive an email rejecting your waiver, please follow the instructions in the email. If you have any questions about your waiver status, please email international@uwf.edu.
International Student Insurance FAQs
What if I am unable to return to the US for the Fall 2020 semester? Do I need insurance?
Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.009 outlines the requirements for international student insurance. These requirements are based on F-1 or J-1 visa status.
- If you are a continuing student in SEVIS Active status as F-1 or J-1, you must maintain continuous insurance coverage of the required insurance to maintain your visa status. If you are outside of the US but will return to the US to continue your studies at UWF, you will need to maintain the requirements of your visa status. This includes having insurance during semester breaks and times you are away from UWF.
- If you are a new student who will enter the US to begin study at UWF, you must follow the regulation requirements which require students to have insurance which begins before the start of the first semester and is continuous for the duration of your studies. The UWF policy for international students meets all of the requirements for international student insurance including coverage period level of insurance coverage.
- If you will not take UWF classes in Fall 2020, please see the notes below about making an advising appointment.
Can I wait and purchase my insurance later?
What if I am planning to submit their own insurance using the International Student Health Insurance Waiver Form in MyUWF?:
Waiver Forms must be submitted on or before August 15th.
- For Returning Students - You must have continuous coverage inclusive of the dates shown in the insurance email you have received. If your current insurance ends before August 15, you must submit your waiver form and insurance proof document showing you have maintained continuous coverage. If you purchase after your current insurance expires and have a lapse in coverage dates, your waiver would be rejected.
- For New Students: Your insurance must be valid for the dates included in the insurance email you have received. Insurance which begins later than the provided start date or ends earlier than the provided end date will be rejected.
What if I am planning to enroll in the UWF policy option?: Students may enroll in the UWF policy for international student insurance at any time before the start of Fall 2020. Students who have not enrolled in the UWF policy by the start of Fall 2020 will have a hold placed on their UWF account which will require follow up with International Programs for students to be able to make course registration changes until they have purchased insurance.
What if I have more questions about Fall 2020 not related to insurance?
- You can schedule an advising appointment in Navigate in MyUWF.
- Search for immigration advising to see available appointments.