US Visa News- The US government is implementing a new visa rule that has sparked controversy around the world. Under the new directive, foreign nationals suffering from diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other chronic diseases may be denied visas or green cards.
A directive sent by the US State Department to all US embassies and consulates states that visa officers will now consider not only communicable diseases and vaccination records, but also non-communicable diseases in visa evaluation.
The new guidelines’ checklist includes heart disease, diabetes, obesity, neurological problems, metabolic disorders and some mental health conditions. The document says these conditions “can require long-term treatment that can cost millions of dollars.” According to the guidelines, visa officers will now ask applicants three key questions: First, does the applicant or their family member suffer from a costly or chronic illness? Second, do they have the financial means to cover the cost of treatment themselves and not rely on “public charge” (government assistance)? And third, do their family members have any disabilities or chronic illnesses that could affect their employment or earning potential?
What was the investigation like before?
While the rule technically applies to all visa categories (such as tourist, student, business, and immigration), experts believe it will have the greatest impact on permanent resident (green card) and long-term visa applicants. Health screening was previously part of the visa process, but now the definition will be even broader. This means that even minor illnesses can lead to visa denial. Until now, the US only checked for infectious diseases, vaccinations, and certain health conditions. Now, visa officers will also assess the applicant’s future health costs and potential risks.
Who will be most affected?
Human rights organizations and immigrant rights groups have strongly criticized the policy. They say it is discriminatory and places an unnecessary burden on applicants with pre-existing conditions or the elderly. Critics say the policy will particularly affect citizens of developing countries, where diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are common.
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