The Trump administration has issued new guidance for US visa applicants, indicating that individuals with certain medical conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, could face visa denial.

The directive, released on Thursday by the US Department of State, instructs visa officers to consider applicants’ chronic or costly medical conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and mental health disorders, as potential grounds for ineligibility.

According to a report by Washington-based news outlet KFF Health News, the guidance was circulated to consular officers in the form of a notice.

The document specifies that visa officers should assess whether applicants can bear the cost of medical treatment for certain conditions, such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses, cancer, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and neurological or mental health problems, which can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The rationale presented in the guidance is that such assessments would help discourage immigration by individuals who could pose an economic burden on the US. Officers are also instructed to evaluate whether applicants have sufficient financial means to cover potential medical expenses.

Experts note that these new rules represent a significant departure from longstanding procedures. Previously, visa health assessments focused primarily on identifying communicable diseases, reviewing vaccination records, and ensuring basic health standards. The new guidance expands the scope considerably.

Specialists warn that the move places consular officers—who are not medically trained—under pressure to make nuanced judgments about applicants’ long-term health and financial stability.

Immigration lawyers and public health experts have criticised the guidance as part of the Trump administration’s broader hardline immigration agenda, which has included mass deportation policies, refugee restrictions, and restructuring the visa system to favour wealthier and healthier applicants.

The administration has previously implemented a series of strict measures aimed at curbing immigration, and this latest directive continues that trend.

Source: Indian Express