Marketplace Open Enrollment 2027: Dates and Subsidies for Immigrants
Everything to sort out before November 1, 2026: when to enroll, who still gets help paying premiums under the new law, and how to avoid tax-time surprises and scams.
In short: Open Enrollment for 2027 Marketplace coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Pick a plan by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027. From 2027 plans on, the premium tax credit for non-citizens is limited to green card holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants and COFA migrants; refugees, asylees and visa holders can still enroll, but at full price.
When is Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage?
These dates are posted on HealthCare.gov as of September 2026 and apply to states on the federal platform.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open Enrollment for 2027 plans begins |
| December 15, 2026 | Last day to pick a plan that starts January 1, 2027 |
| December 16, 2026 – January 15, 2027 | Enroll now and coverage starts February 1, 2027 |
| After January 15, 2027 | Only with a Special Enrollment Period (qualifying life event) |
Some states run their own exchange and may set different dates. Start at HealthCare.gov, choose your state, and you'll be sent to the state site if there is one.
Medicaid and CHIP don't wait for Open Enrollment: you can apply any time of year.
Who can buy a Marketplace plan?
You must live in the state and be a US citizen or "lawfully present." That list is broad: green card holders, refugees, asylees, work and student visa holders, TPS holders and people with work authorization, among others (full list).
HealthCare.gov currently says DACA recipients are not eligible for Marketplace coverage. People without lawful status can't buy through the Marketplace but may apply for emergency Medicaid.
Who gets the premium tax credit in 2027?
The premium tax credit is what makes most plans affordable, and you can take it in advance to lower your monthly bill. The standard rule is household income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty line (IRS). The temporary expansion that removed the 400% cap was scheduled to end December 31, 2025, so run your numbers in HealthCare.gov's savings estimator.
P.L. 119-21 added two immigrant-specific rules:
| Status | Can enroll | Premium tax credit, 2027 plans |
|---|---|---|
| US citizen | Yes | Yes, income-based |
| Green card holder | Yes | Yes, income-based |
| Cuban/Haitian entrant or COFA migrant | Yes | Yes, income-based |
| Refugee, asylee, TPS, work or student visa | Yes | No, full price |
| DACA or no lawful status | No | No |
- Section 71301: for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2027, you must be an "eligible alien" (green card holder, Cuban/Haitian entrant or COFA migrant) to get the credit (CMS).
- Section 71302: since 2026 plans, people with income under 100% of the poverty line who are barred from Medicaid by immigration status no longer get the credit, though they can still buy at full price (CMS guidance).
Refugee families from Syria, Iraq, Yemen or Sudan: if you get a subsidy in 2026 as a refugee or asylee, expect a much higher premium in 2027 unless you've adjusted to a green card. Update your status in your Marketplace account the day you receive it.
Can you enroll outside Open Enrollment?
Yes, if a qualifying life event gives you a Special Enrollment Period, usually 60 days from the event (HealthCare.gov). Events that matter for newcomers:
- Moving to the US from abroad, or to a new ZIP code or county.
- Losing job-based coverage, Medicaid or CHIP; HealthCare.gov lists a longer window for loss of Medicaid or CHIP.
- Getting married, having a baby or adopting.
- Becoming a US citizen.
Lost Medicaid because of the October 1, 2026 change?
This is the big one this fall. A refugee or asylee who loses Medicaid under the new law qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period for loss of coverage, and the state transfers the file to the Marketplace.
The new subsidy limit for non-green-card holders starts with 2027 plans, not before. So someone who enrolls for the rest of 2026 may get the credit for those months if income is at least 100% of the poverty line, then pay full price from January 2027 unless they've adjusted to a green card. Don't leave those months uncovered.
Keep proof: a coverage termination letter, a new lease, your entry stamp. The Marketplace may ask for it.
How do you enroll, step by step?
- Create your own account. On HealthCare.gov or your state site. Never share the password.
- Estimate 2027 income. Savings are based on the coverage year; include expected wages and any self-employment income.
- Enter immigration details exactly. Document type and number, A-Number or I-94 number, and your name exactly as printed on the document.
- Compare plans. Check your doctors and prescriptions, and compare yearly cost, not just the premium. Our health insurance guide walks through it.
- Pay the first premium. Coverage doesn't start until the insurer receives it.
- Watch for notices. If you get a data matching issue, upload the requested documents before the deadline in the notice.
Which immigration documents does the Marketplace accept?
The Marketplace checks your information electronically with Social Security and DHS. The more exactly your document number matches, the less likely you'll be asked for paperwork later. Common documents, per CMS's guide for assisters:
| Document | Typically for |
|---|---|
| Permanent Resident Card (I-551), or temporary I-551 stamp in a passport | Green card holders and new immigrant-visa arrivals |
| Arrival/Departure Record (I-94) | Refugees, visa holders, parolees |
| Employment Authorization Document (I-766) | People with a valid work permit, such as asylum applicants and TPS holders |
| Refugee travel document (I-571) or reentry permit (I-327) | Refugees, asylees, and green card holders who travel for long periods |
| I-20 or DS-2019 | Students and exchange visitors |
| Notice of Action (I-797) | People with an approved or pending USCIS case |
If someone in your household isn't applying for coverage, you don't have to provide information about their immigration status.
What if your situation changes mid-year?
Report changes in income, household size or immigration status in your account when they happen, not at the next Open Enrollment. That protects you from a big repayment at tax time and can raise your credit if income drops.
Common ones in Arab families: a parent gets a green card, a baby arrives, or someone starts a job that offers coverage. In that last case you may lose the credit if the job plan counts as affordable, so compare before cancelling your Marketplace plan.
How does your plan affect your tax return?
Advance credit payments are an estimate based on projected income. At tax time you'll get Form 1095-A and reconcile on Form 8962; if you earned more than you estimated, you may have to pay some back.
Married couples, note: you generally can't get the credit if you file as Married Filing Separately, apart from narrow exceptions such as domestic abuse or abandonment (IRS). That matters for families with a spouse still abroad, so talk to a tax preparer before you enroll.
Update your income in your account whenever it changes. Filing for the first time? Start with our first tax return guide.
Where can you get help in Arabic?
HealthCare.gov's Find Local Help tool lists assisters and agents near you and lets you filter by language. The Marketplace Call Center is 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325); ask for an Arabic interpreter when you call.
Watch for scams: never send your SSN, a photo of your green card or your account password over WhatsApp or Facebook to someone promising "free insurance." If you find you were enrolled or switched plans without your knowledge, call the Marketplace Call Center right away.
Common mistakes
- Enrolling after December 15 and starting coverage in February instead of January.
- Assuming auto-renewal keeps the same price; premiums and credits change every year.
- Entering last year's income instead of next year's estimate.
- Letting a "broker" log into your account or enroll you without your written consent.
- Forgetting to update your immigration status after getting a green card.
What next?
Put November 1 and December 15, 2026 in your calendar. If your income is low, check our Medicaid for immigrants guide first; the Marketplace application routes you to Medicaid if you qualify.
Frequently asked questions
When does Open Enrollment for 2027 start?
November 1, 2026, ending January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
Can refugees get the premium tax credit in 2027?
No. From 2027 plans on, the credit for non-citizens is limited to green card holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants and COFA migrants. Refugees can still buy at full price.
Can H-1B holders or international students buy a Marketplace plan?
Yes, nonimmigrant visa holders are lawfully present and can enroll if they live in the state, but without the premium tax credit starting in 2027.
I missed Open Enrollment. Do I wait a year?
Not if you had a qualifying event such as moving to the US, losing coverage, marriage or a birth. You usually have 60 days from the event.
Can DACA recipients buy Marketplace coverage?
No. HealthCare.gov currently says DACA recipients aren't eligible for Marketplace coverage.
Will I have to pay back my subsidy?
Possibly, if your actual income is higher than you estimated. You reconcile on Form 8962 using Form 1095-A.
Official sources we reviewed
- HealthCare.gov — Dates and deadlines ↗
- HealthCare.gov — Immigration statuses that qualify for Marketplace coverage ↗
- CMS — HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 Final Rule ↗
- CMS — WFTCA Section 71302: Guidance for Plan Year 2026 ↗
- HealthCare.gov — Special Enrollment Period ↗
- IRS — Eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit ↗
- HealthCare.gov — Find Local Help ↗