Insurance in the United Kingdom:
Protection for Your UK Internship

An internship in the United Kingdom promises valuable experience but also requires careful preparation after Brexit, especially regarding insurance coverage. For the Temporary Work GAE Visa, private health insurance is strictly mandatory. In the UK this protection is arranged separately, and we tell you exactly which cover meets the requirement and check it before it goes to the sponsor, so it never holds up your visa certificate.

Why Private Insurance is Mandatory

The British Home Office and sponsors like BUNAC & JENZA require all participants to provide proof of comprehensive international insurance. This is not just about local medical treatment, but primarily about fundamental risks. An EHIC card alone does not cover the services required in the UK by the sponsor, such as repatriation in an emergency.

Minimum Requirements of the Sponsors

To ensure your proof of insurance is accepted in the partner portal, the following criteria must be confirmed in writing:

  • Medical Coverage: At least $100,000 USD (or equivalent).
  • Repatriation: Full coverage for return transport in case of illness as well as for the transport of remains in case of death.
  • Period: The policy must apply seamlessly from the first to the last day of your stay in the UK.
Tip for fast processing: Many applicants use specialized providers like Global Secutive. Via this Direct Link, you can obtain compliant protection in a few minutes, which is directly recognized by BUNAC/JENZA.
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IHS Fee vs. Additional Insurance

For internships lasting longer than 6 months, the mandatory state Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) also applies.

While this fee (approx. £1,035/year) grants you access to the British National Health Service (NHS), it never covers repatriation to your home country. For this reason, sponsors strictly require additional private insurance for your stay in the UK, despite the IHS payment.

Common Questions about UK Insurance

It is strongly recommended to upload the confirmation in English. This avoids delays during the review by the British team at BUNAC or JENZA.
No. Statutory funds do not provide sufficient protection for long-term internships in the UK and specifically do not cover expensive repatriation costs.

At VisaNerd we sponsor strictly within the US Department of State exchange visitor regulations (22 CFR 62.22) and current BridgeUSA policy. What you read here is how we actually sponsor and what we require, not a general overview of other sponsors. It is practical guidance from our team, not legal advice; your eligibility is confirmed through us as your sponsor contact, and the final visa decision is made by the US consular officer.