Guide

How to compare international health insurers for a long-stay visa

By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026

Big international insurers, Cigna and Allianz among them, all offer international private medical plans, so the real question for a visa is not the brand. It is whether the certificate meets the published rule: private health cover, valid in your destination, for the full period, with no disqualifying deductible. Compare on that first.

The rule in writing

“US and UK domestic health plans are generally not structured to cover treatment abroad for residents and are not accepted for long-stay visa applications in France or Italy.”

Official source: Consulate guidance & documented applicant reports — Last verified: July 2026

The brand is not the filter; the certificate is

Any large insurer can issue a certificate that meets a consulate's rule, or one that does not, depending on the plan you pick. So a brand-versus-brand comparison misses the point. Start by asking whether the certificate states what France or Italy requires, then compare the shortlist that passes.

Compare on the rule, then on fit

Once a policy clears the visa rule, compare the things that actually differ for you: new-applicant age limits, how pre-existing conditions are handled, where the cover is valid, and the deductible. Price matters too, but it is the last filter, not the first, because a cheap policy that gets refused costs you the whole application.

What US plans and travel policies miss

Two things almost never pass, whatever the brand: US domestic plans, which are not built to cover residents abroad, and travel or nomad policies, which are built for trips. See the cited rule below. Rule those out before you compare the international health plans that can actually work.

Read the certificate, whoever you choose

The decision comes down to the certificate wording: private health cover, valid in the destination, for the full visa period, inpatient and outpatient, with no disqualifying deductible. Run any policy through our free policy checker to see it against the published rule.

Get a certificate that meets the published rule

Tell us your destination, visa, and who’s moving. Our team reviews it against the current requirement and calls you with a quote — no obligation.

Before you request a quote: cover is worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States, and pre-existing conditions are not covered — including conditions you did not know about. We say this up front so a quote is worth your time.

Common questions

Is Cigna or Allianz better for a visa?

Both offer international private medical plans; neither is automatically accepted. What matters is whether the specific plan's certificate meets the destination's published rule. Compare on that, not the brand.

What should I compare when choosing insurance for a visa?

First, whether the certificate meets the visa rule. Then age limits, pre-existing handling, where cover is valid, the deductible, and finally price.

Do the big insurers' policies pass the visa rule?

Some plans do and some do not, depending on the cover and certificate wording. Never assume; check the specific certificate against the rule.

Can I compare policies using the certificate?

Yes. The certificate is what the consulate reads, so comparing certificates against the published rule is the most reliable way to compare policies for a visa.