Last Updated: September 1, 2026
Can International Students Get Medi-Cal in California? 2026 F-1 and J-1 Guide
International students living in California sometimes ask whether they can qualify for Medi-Cal while attending college or university.
The answer depends on several factors, especially your age, immigration status, California residency, income, and whether you were already enrolled in full-scope Medi-Cal before January 1, 2026.
Starting January 1, 2026, some adults age 19 and older can no longer newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal because of their immigration status. This means an F-1 or J-1 visa holder should not assume that low income alone makes them eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal.
1. Can an F-1 or J-1 Student Get Medi-Cal?
Possibly, but the type of Medi-Cal available depends on the student's circumstances.
An F-1 student visa or J-1 exchange visitor visa by itself does not automatically guarantee full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility.
For adults age 19 and older, California's 2026 rules require the county to determine whether the applicant has an immigration status that qualifies for new full-scope Medi-Cal enrollment or whether the applicant is limited to another type of Medi-Cal coverage.
Do not assume that all international students qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, and do not assume that all international students are ineligible. The county must review the person's specific immigration category and other Medi-Cal eligibility rules.
2. What Changed on January 1, 2026?
California changed Medi-Cal enrollment rules for certain adults beginning January 1, 2026.
Some adults age 19 and older who do not have an immigration status that qualifies under the current Medi-Cal rules can no longer newly enroll in state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal.
However, this change does not apply the same way to everyone.
- Some lawful immigration categories can still qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal.
- People who already had full-scope Medi-Cal before the enrollment freeze may generally keep it if they remain otherwise eligible and renew on time.
- Children under age 19 can still apply for full-scope Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status if otherwise eligible.
- Pregnant people can still receive full-scope Medi-Cal during pregnancy and for one year after the pregnancy ends, regardless of immigration status.
- Certain former foster youth under age 26 also remain protected.
If you were already enrolled, do not cancel your coverage simply because you are an international student. Existing members may generally keep full-scope Medi-Cal as long as they remain eligible and complete their renewal requirements.
3. Can International Students Get Restricted-Scope Medi-Cal?
An international student who does not qualify for new full-scope Medi-Cal may still be eligible for restricted-scope Medi-Cal if the person meets the applicable Medi-Cal requirements.
Restricted-scope Medi-Cal generally provides more limited coverage than full-scope Medi-Cal.
Covered services may include:
- Emergency medical care
- Pregnancy-related care
- Certain nursing facility services
The county will determine which Medi-Cal coverage category applies to the applicant.
4. What About International Students Under Age 19?
Age makes an important difference.
Children and youth under age 19 can continue to apply for full-scope Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status if they meet the other Medi-Cal eligibility requirements.
Therefore, an international student who is under age 19 may be treated differently from an F-1 or J-1 student who is age 19 or older.
5. What If the Student Is Pregnant?
Pregnant individuals receive special Medi-Cal protections.
A pregnant person who otherwise qualifies can receive full-scope Medi-Cal during pregnancy and for one year after the pregnancy ends, regardless of immigration status.
This exception can apply even when another adult with the same immigration status would not be eligible to newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal.
6. Income Requirements
Immigration status is only one part of Medi-Cal eligibility.
Applicants must also meet the income or other eligibility requirements for the Medi-Cal category under which they are being evaluated.
For many adults ages 19–64 evaluated under MAGI Medi-Cal rules, an important 2026 income reference is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.
1-person household: about $1,836 per month or $22,025 per year at 138% FPL.
However, meeting the income limit does not override immigration-related eligibility rules. A person must meet all applicable Medi-Cal requirements.
7. How Is a Student's Household Income Calculated?
For many MAGI Medi-Cal applicants, household size and income are based largely on federal tax rules.
Questions that may affect the calculation include:
- Does the student file a U.S. tax return?
- Is the student claimed as a tax dependent?
- Does the student have employment income?
- Does the student have other countable income?
- Is the student married?
Students should not simply compare the amount deposited into their bank account with a Medi-Cal income chart because MAGI is not necessarily the same as take-home pay.
8. California Residency Requirements
A Medi-Cal applicant must meet California residency requirements.
Attending school in California does not automatically answer every residency question. The county may review the applicant's actual living situation and may request documentation.
Possible proof of a California address can include documents such as:
- Lease or rental documents
- Utility bills
- School housing documents
- Other acceptable proof requested by the county
9. What About University Student Health Insurance?
Many colleges and universities require international students to maintain a school-sponsored student health insurance plan.
Qualifying for Medi-Cal does not automatically cancel your school's insurance requirement.
Some schools allow students to request an insurance waiver if they already have other health coverage, but the waiver standards are set by the school.
Ask your school's international student office or student health insurance office whether Medi-Cal satisfies its waiver requirements. Do not cancel required student coverage until your waiver has been approved.
10. Can I Have Student Health Insurance and Medi-Cal at the Same Time?
Having other health insurance does not automatically prevent a person from qualifying for Medi-Cal.
If you have Medi-Cal and another health insurance plan, you must report the other coverage as required. Medi-Cal is generally the payer of last resort, which means other insurance usually pays first for services it covers.
Network and billing rules can become more complicated when two types of coverage are involved, so always verify that your provider accepts the appropriate insurance before receiving non-emergency care.
11. How to Apply for Medi-Cal
International students who want a Medi-Cal eligibility determination can apply through the same application system used by other California residents.
You can apply:
- Online through BenefitsCal
- By phone through your county
- By mail
- In person at your county human services or Medi-Cal office
The county may request information about your income, household, California residency, and immigration status in order to determine which Medi-Cal category applies.
www.BenefitsCal.com
12. Will Applying for Medi-Cal Affect My F-1 or J-1 Status?
Health coverage eligibility and immigration status are different legal issues.
USCIS currently states that Medicaid benefits are generally not considered in a public charge determination, except for Medicaid used for long-term institutionalization at government expense.
However, public charge is not the only immigration rule that can affect an international student.
F-1 and J-1 students must separately follow their visa requirements, including rules related to maintaining status, study, employment, and other immigration obligations.
If you are concerned about how receiving Medi-Cal could affect a future visa, adjustment of status, green card application, or another immigration matter, speak with your school's international student adviser and, when necessary, a qualified immigration attorney or accredited immigration representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can every F-1 student get full-scope Medi-Cal in 2026?
No. Beginning January 1, 2026, some adults age 19 and older cannot newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal because of their immigration status. The county must review the student's specific immigration category and other eligibility requirements.
Can an F-1 student still apply for Medi-Cal?
Yes. Applying allows the county to determine what type of Medi-Cal coverage, if any, the student qualifies for. Eligibility may be full-scope, restricted-scope, another Medi-Cal category, or no Medi-Cal coverage depending on the person's circumstances.
What if I already had full-scope Medi-Cal before January 1, 2026?
Existing full-scope Medi-Cal members affected by the 2026 enrollment freeze can generally continue their coverage if they remain eligible and renew on time.
If coverage ends, DHCS currently provides a three-month grace period from the end of eligibility for affected members to re-enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal.
Does having a student visa automatically make me ineligible for Medi-Cal?
No. The county looks at the applicant's actual immigration category and other Medi-Cal eligibility rules. Visa holders should not make a final eligibility decision based only on the words “F-1” or “J-1.”
Does low income automatically qualify an international student for full-scope Medi-Cal?
No. Income is only one part of Medi-Cal eligibility. Immigration status, age, California residency, household rules, and other requirements can also affect the result.
Official Resources
- DHCS — Immigration Status and Changes to Medi-Cal Eligibility
- DHCS — Medi-Cal Changes
- DHCS — Medi-Cal Help
- BenefitsCal
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
California Benefits Guide is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of California, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), USCIS, any county agency, college, university, or immigration agency. This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and is not legal, immigration, tax, or official Medi-Cal eligibility advice. Medi-Cal and immigration rules can change and individual circumstances vary. Always verify current information with DHCS, your county Medi-Cal office, USCIS, your school's international student office, or a qualified immigration professional.