The Donald Trump-led administration has issued a new directive allowing US visa denials for foreign nationals with certain medical conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
As per the media reports, the White House justified the move by stating that such applicants could become reliant on public benefits, potentially burdening US resources. The directive, sent by the US State Department to embassies and consulates worldwide, instructs visa officers to assess applicants’ health more closely.
The guidelines specifically highlight conditions like obesity, which can lead to asthma, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure—diseases that often require long-term, costly treatment. Visa officers have been told to determine whether applicants can afford medical care independently, without depending on government assistance.
The policy also directs officers to evaluate the health of applicants’ family members, including children and elderly dependents.
Health assessments have traditionally focused on communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and vaccination status. However, experts warn that the new rules significantly broaden the scope of medical conditions considered during the visa approval process.