AS the United States (US) Embassy in Jamaica, we welcome qualified applicants to study, work in, and visit the United States. All Jamaicans need to apply for a visa to travel to the United States. One key part of your application for a non-immigrant visa (NIV) — typically a visitor, student, or temporary worker visa — is proving your ability to support yourself financially while in the United States without working there. Keep in mind that visitor visas do not permit work of any kind in the United States, and working on a student visa can be performed under only specific circumstances.

If you cannot support yourself in the United States, you may be considered a “public charge” and turned away from future trips to the United States, or have future visa applications refused.

What does “public charge” mean?

Becoming a “public charge” means that an individual has become primarily dependent on US government assistance — assistance funded by US taxpayers — to support him or herself while present in the United States. NIV applicants must prove in their applications that they will be able to support themselves during their stay and not rely on certain forms of US government benefits and support.

Consular officers review each NIV application to determine whether the applicant is likely to become a public charge. This is not a single-component decision. Instead, officers consider the “totality of the circumstances”, including your age; your health; your financial resources and ability to pay for your stay (including insurance); your purpose of travel and planned activities in the United States; and your ties to Jamaica and plans to return home. You can expect questions about these details to be raised in your interview.

No single factor automatically makes someone a potential public charge. The officer will consider all relevant information, including evidence of your financial means and any support from your family or sponsors.

How can you avoid becoming a public charge as a visitor?

As an NIV applicant you should take proactive steps to ensure you can support yourself during your stay in the United States. One of the most important things to remember is that the United States does not have a government-funded health system like Jamaica’s. Medical care in the US is expensive, and visitors are responsible for all costs incurred.

To protect yourself, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance before your trip. Your insurance should cover the cost of medical care, including emergencies, hospitalisation, and possible medical evacuation. Without insurance, even a minor accident or illness could result in significant financial hardship. When US citizens visit Jamaica, we also recommend they purchase travel insurance for possible medical care in Jamaica, too!

If you are travelling to the United States specifically for medical treatment, be sure to bring proof of who will pay for your care, typically a letter from a hospital stating that they or another sponsor will be taking care of medical expenses. However, you will also need to show how you or any companions are planning to pay for lodging and expenses outside the hospital throughout your treatment.

Travel responsibly: Plan ahead

The United States welcomes visitors, students, and temporary workers from Jamaica and around the world. The “public charge” rule is not intended to discourage travel, but to ensure that visitors are prepared and able to support themselves. By planning ahead, purchasing travel insurance, having a clear plan for your stay and returning home to Jamaica within the authorised period of stay granted to you on your Form I-94, you can help ensure you will be welcome to travel back to the United States in the future.

As Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated, travel to the United States on a visa is a privilege, not a right. #TravelResponsibly, plan ahead, and safe travels.