US may reject visa applications over chronic health conditions

Foreigners applying for US visas could face rejection if they have certain health conditions, including diabetes or obesity, under new guidelines issued by the Trump administration. The directive, sent to US embassies and consulates on Thursday, expands the list of medical factors that can influence visa decisions.

Visa officers are now instructed to consider whether an applicant’s health or age could make them a potential “public charge,” someone likely to rely on government support. The guidance lists cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, and mental health conditions as examples that may require costly long-term care.

Experts warn the new rules give consular officials far greater discretion to deny visas based on an applicant’s medical history. “Visa officers are being asked to make projections about future medical costs, even though they are not medically trained,” said Charles Wheeler, a senior attorney with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.

The policy also directs officers to examine the health of family members, such as children or elderly dependents, to determine if the applicant could meet financial responsibilities without public assistance. The cable asks whether applicants can afford medical care for themselves and their families over their entire lifetime without government support.

While US visa applicants have long been screened for communicable diseases and vaccination history, the new guidance is far broader. Sophia Genovese, an immigration lawyer at Georgetown University, noted that chronic conditions are now a central consideration. “The directive essentially asks officials to speculate on what could happen medically in the future and how it might affect employment,” she said.

The move is seen as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to limit immigration. Critics argue it could disproportionately affect people with common conditions, such as diabetes, which affects around 10 percent of the global population, and cardiovascular disease, the world’s leading cause of death.

The State Department did not immediately comment on the new guidance.