Moving to the U.S on a L1 or E2 visa is a major life change filled with opportunity, but also challenges, especially when it comes to healthcare access. If you are bringing your family, securing affordable and reliable health insurance is a top priority.
This guide of 2025, explores everything you need to know about the healthcare options for LI and L2 visa families, including insurance plans, eligibility, cost and tips for navigating the U.S healthcare system.
Understanding The U.S Healthcare System
The U.S does not offer universal healthcare, and medical costs can be extremely high without insurance. This makes it essential for the L1 and E2 visa holders to secure coverage for themselves and their dependents.
Healthcare in the U.S is primarily private, meaning individuals typically get insurance through:
- Private insurance companies
- Individual health insurance marketplace
- Employer-sponsored plans
Let us look at what we need for the L1 and E2 visa family insurance for the healthcare sector.
L1 Visa Healthcare Access
L1 visa holders are intra-company transfers, meaning that they are transferred to a U.S office of their employer. Typically, the ones with the L1 visa work for large or mid-sized corporations that provide health insurance for visa holders as part of an employee benefits package.
The Plan For The Employee-Sponsored Insurance
Most of the visa holders are eligible for group health insurance through their employer. The plan includes the following:
- Doctor visits
- Specialist care
- Hospital stays
- Prescription drugs
- Emergency care
For The Dependents:
The dependents include the spouse and the children under 21, the E2 visas can be added to the plan with an additional cost.
Average Monthly Premiums:
The estimation is done according to the year 2025
- The individual costs: $150-$300
- The family costs: $600- $1,200
The things to check:
- Deductibles and copays
- In network provider availability
- Waiting periods (sometimes the employers require 30 to 90 days before the coverage begins)
Alternative Option To Look At:
If the employer coverage is insufficient or not offered, L1 visa families can also buy private plans through a health insurance broker or marketplace.
Access To The E2 Visa Health Care
The E2 visa investors are self employed or the business owners, unlike the L1 holders. This means that they are responsible for securing private health insurance for the families and themselves.
The Private Insurance Plans That Are Private
The E2 visa holders and their dependents are not eligible for the government-funded health care, so they need to buy the coverage through:
- International expat health insurance providers
- Private health insurance brokers
- The ACA marketplace (healthcare.gov)
The E2 Health Insurance USA for Traveling
Some families choose the short-term plan for the E2 visa as a temporary solution till the permanent coverage is set up. As they are low-cost, the plan offers:
- Limited maternity, prescription coverage, or mental health.
- Do not cover the pre-existing conditions.
Most people use this but only as a stopgap, but cannot be considered as a long term protection.
The Healthcare Access For The Children
Whether you are on an L1 visa or an E2 visa, the children can access pediatric care if they are covered under a plan of the family. They are not eligible, however, for Medicaid or CHIP, which are reserved for citizens or permanent residents.
Make sure your plan includes the following:
- Immunizations
- Dental
- Vision
- Routine wellness check-up visits
The Comparison Of The L1 And E2 Visa Health Care Access
To understand the basics and the features of the L1 and E2 visa, here is a chart to compare them and know the difference:
Feature | L1 Visa Families | E2 Visa Families |
Employer-Sponsored Insurance | Usually available | Not available |
Private Insurance Access | Yes | Yes |
ACA Marketplace Eligibility | Yes | Yes |
ACA Subsidies | Sometimes | Rarely |
Dependent Coverage | Yes (L2) | Yes (E2 dependents) |
Eligible for Medicaid/CHIP | No | No |
Tips For Visa Holders For Health Care Access In 2025
Here are some of the tips and ideas to look into for health care access:
Start early
- Work with an insurance broker
- Understand the network
- Keep records
- Consider the telehealth
Contact Us And Secure Peace Of Mind With The Right Health Care Plan
For L1 and E2 visa holders, access to quality healthcare is not just a necessity but an important part of settling your life into another state. E2 investors must be proactive in securing comprehensive private insurance. While the L1 employee often benefits from the employer-sponsored coverage.
At EB2Hub, we understand the difficulties of the immigration journey. Whether you are launching a venture on an E2 visa or transferring on an L1 visa, our mission is to provide reliable guidance every step your way. We make the process easy for you from visa to healthcare and beyond. Contact us today for further queries, we will love to help you!