People suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and obesity may now face rejection of their US visa applications under new guidelines issued by the Trump administration, 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday.
According to US media reports, the instructions, sent to American embassies and consulates worldwide, direct visa officers to assess whether applicants can cover the lifetime medical costs of their conditions without relying on government assistance.
Experts say the policy could particularly affect immigrants seeking permanent residency, as certain health conditions may be considered a potential burden on US resources, especially among older applicants.
While health evaluations have long been part of the visa application process, the new instructions broaden the list of medical conditions and grant visa officers greater discretion to make decisions based on an applicant’s health.
The policy reflects a heightened focus on ensuring that incoming immigrants are self-sufficient in managing healthcare costs without drawing on public funds.