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Information for Immigrants

Most Immigrants Qualify for Health Insurance

Under the Affordable Care Act, most immigrants are eligible for health insurance, including the following groups: 

  1. Lawful permanent residents or (“green card holders”).

  2. Lawful temporary residents.

  3. Persons fleeing persecution, including refugees and asylees.

  4. Other humanitarian immigrants, including those granted temporary protected status.

  5. Non-immigrant status holders (including worker visas and student visas).

Everyone Can Apply

Adults in California ages 26 through 49 are eligible for Medi-Cal, regardless of their immigration status. All other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, still apply. ​​Find out more on the Department of Health Care Services website.

Both lawfully present and not lawfully present individuals can apply through Covered California to see if they are eligible for a health insurance plan through Covered California or Medi-Cal. There is no “waiting period” or “five-year bar.”

To apply for health insurance, call (800) 300-1506 or apply with a certified enroller or your county. Get information on applying for Medi-Cal.

For more information, please view our Immigration Status and Eligibility fact sheet here. 

Financial Help Eligibility Changes in 2027

President Trump signed H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which makes certain immigrant groups ineligible for financial help. Because of this new federal law, some immigrant groups will have higher monthly premium costs in 2027. What you pay for your health insurance now won’t change in 2026.

Starting in 2027, only these immigrant groups will be eligible for financial help to lower the cost of their health insurance:

  • Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)

  • Cuban and Haitian entrants

  • Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants

Some of the major immigrant groups who will lose their financial help are:

  • People with asylum status

  • Survivors of trafficking (T visa)

  • People with Temporary Protected Status

  • People with work visas

  • Student visa holders

Read more about what this means for you and the steps you can take now on the Financial Help page.