Some questions when I go to study

I'm planning on going to study in the U.S. on an F-1 next fall, I was just wondering about insurance and bringing my car across the border. What would I have to do when I bring it across the border? The car is paid off and owned by me and is 9 years old. It's a Chevy Cavalier.

Also wondering about medical insurance as well. Do college's have student medical insurance programs or is that something I have to look at separately.

Check the DMV website for the state you're going to, each state is different, and may or may not require that you import the car if you are only there temporarily.

Some colleges/universities offer health insurance to students. Check with the school well before you get there.

Re: Health insurance, check with your University's international student office, they will know. Most Universities offer a student health insurance plan. As long as you are a full time student you will still have your Canadian health insurance, but it will not cover even a fraction of what health care costs in the US. Make sure you submit the documentation to your provincial plan to let them know you will be studying out of the country, as if you become ineligible it's a hassle to re-apply.

Hi there,

I am currently living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.. I am a Canadian Citizen and am planning to study in the US this year, for the next few. I have a few rising questions, and am new to this forum.

Like I said, I live in Canada. My boyfriend lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa (currently). We are both going to be moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota in around November or December of this year, so we can be ready for the Spring semester. We of course will be living together all throughout this time. I will be coming over with an F-1 Visa, however I plan to change my status when we become engaged and are ready to marry also.

I have a few important questions to follow this. I guess I have taken my healthcare benefits for granted until now. I guess I never realized how much I really have, and also how much leg work people must go through just to study in a different country. YIKES.

What I want to know is when him and I become engaged or married, more importantly, what my medical coverage will be when I am NOT in school. Will I have coverage/insurance if I have "permanent residency" or a greencard? Also, what if I become pregnant? Will I have coverage/insurance or will I have to suffer from outrageous medical bills?

Please , if you can, help us out. I really appreciate your time for reading this. It would really help. Thanks so much.

Brandon and Ashley

As lomng as you are an F-1 student, you remain Cdn resident for tax purposes, and should be able to get permission from your provincial healthcare to remain covered by your province while in US -- but you have to ask befiore going.

Keep in mind though, that Prov heatlh will not cover 100% of all your medical expenses in US, and none of the Rx costs. Som counting on Prov coverage is not the best idea.

So, you might need to get US medical coverage (which is uaually available to foreign students -- ask at the university). But it may be costly.

Once you are engaged/married and get US status, of course you will no longer have the requisite ties in canada to keep your Cdn coverage, so you need to get on your husband's plan.

You will lose healthcare coverage once you take up residency in the U.S. If you decide to have a baby in the U.S., you will still have medical expenses to cover even IF YOU HAVE medical insurance. Health coverage in Vancouver will NOT cover expenses from abroad. So if you're boyfriend is a U.S. citizen, it's better to have the baby in Canada as the child will automatically be a citizen through his/her father.

Be careful because an F-1 visa is for non-immigrant intent although you're able to do an AOS once you're married. Ties to Canada is advisable as long as you're in F-1 status.

I have the same situation.

I am looking to study in California on a F1 visa in Fall 2011 for a year. I need to bring my car over which is currently registered in Quebec and will be leglly registered.. My driver license is still valid for 4 more years. I understand since I am a temporary visitor, I will be returning after a year and there's no reason for me to go through DMV.

On the DMV website they only have instructions for people permanently registering their cars in California. Which I won't be able to do anyway. Correct??

Maybe I am missing something

Students are specifically exempted from having to get a local DL when they are going to school away from home. This applies across the US. They are not considered to be living in that locale, but remain in their previous residence. They can get a local DL and plates, etc. But they are not obligated to.

As I said, this applies accross the US states. I have seen many cases where, because as an F1 you remain 'living' in canada, where the Prov DL is acceptable.

What you will have to check though is with your car insurance. many Cdn insurers will NOT accept that you drive the car in US for such an extended period on your current policy. If that is the case, then you may have to register it in cali to get insurance -- which would the mean the need to formally import the car at the border, plate it and register it in US -- and probably get a Cali DL at the same time.

You have 2 issues: DL validity (which appears fine), but also Car insurance (and thus registration), whichic may be more problematic.