WASHINGTON: The U.S. State Department has issued new guidance allowing visa officers to deny entry to foreign nationals with certain medical conditions, including diabetes and obesity, citing potential dependence on government-funded health services. The directive, sent to embassies and consulates worldwide, instructs officers to evaluate applicants for health issues that could make them a “public charge.”
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While health screenings for communicable diseases and vaccination history have long been required, the new rules dramatically expand the range of medical conditions considered. Conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, neurological and metabolic disorders, mental health issues, and obesity could now influence visa eligibility. Officers are also advised to assess whether applicants have sufficient financial resources to cover medical expenses without relying on U.S. assistance.
Experts warn that the expanded medical criteria could disproportionately affect millions of people with manageable or common health conditions. Immigration advocates have criticized the policy for granting consular officers broad discretion, potentially leading to discrimination against applicants based on age or chronic illnesses.
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The guidance is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration rules, alongside measures on deportations and restrictions on refugee admissions. State Department officials have not yet provided public comments regarding the new medical evaluation criteria.