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Do I qualify for Marketplace insurance if I'm not a citizen or do not have a legal status?

Explains Marketplace eligibility for non-citizens, including which immigration statuses qualify for coverage and what options are available for individuals without lawful status.

Sam avatar
Written by Sam
Updated over 2 weeks ago

You may qualify for Marketplace coverage if you are a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status. However, individuals who are undocumented, DACA recipients or do not have lawful status are not eligible to buy Marketplace insurance or receive premium tax credits.

Eligible immigration statuses include:

  • Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)

  • Asylees and refugees

  • Cuban/Haitian entrants

  • Individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal

  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders

  • Victims of trafficking and certain non-immigrant visa holders (U, T, V, etc.)

  • Certain humanitarian parolees or other lawfully present individuals

If you do not have eligible status

You can still get health care at community health centers and other clinics that provide free or low-cost services, regardless of immigration status. These clinics can help with preventive care, prescriptions, and ongoing treatment.

Do I qualify for financial assistance?

Beginning in plan year 2026, only lawfully present immigrants with income above 100 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be eligible for premium tax credits (PTCs). Lawfully present immigrants (LPRs) with income below 100 percent FPL who are ineligible for Medicaid because of their immigration status will no longer be eligible for PTCs. This includes lawfully permanent residents who are in the five-year waiting period for Medicaid.

Beginning in plan year 2027, only U.S. citizens, LPRs, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants will be eligible for PTCs. Lawfully present immigrants with any other immigration status, including people with work-related visas and people granted asylum, will not be eligible for PTCs, although they remain eligible to enroll in marketplace coverage without PTCs.

Need help?

If you’re unsure about your eligibility or need help finding care, contact our Consumer Advocate team at 855-772-2663, Monday–Friday, 6am–4pm PT.

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