US EditionTrump Administration to Consider Common Chronic Conditions for Visa Applications
The updated guidelines allow visa officers to deny entry if applicants’ chronic conditions could lead to high lifetime medical costs, with exemptions for some refugees.
- The administration directed U.S. visa officers to consider chronic health conditions, including obesity and heart disease, allowing denial based on potential high medical costs.
- On Nov. 14, 2025, a Nov. 14 cable from the U.S. Secretary of State instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to estimate lifetime medical costs and consider age, dependents, and disabilities.
- The cable lists obesity as a factor influencing visa decisions and links it to sleep apnea, high blood pressure and depression; it warns that cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer and other conditions can require hundreds of thousands of dollars in care.
- Immigration experts warn the guidance expands consular discretion, allowing visa denials based on common health conditions, while refugees and humanitarian applicants remain exempt but many programs ended, the White House defended the change.
- Globally, about 16% of adults were living with obesity in 2022, WHO found, and deputy press secretary Anna Kelly noted a century-old financial-burden test requiring applicants to cover care `over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance`.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Trump administration to consider common chronic conditions for visa applications
The Trump administration has directed U.S. visa officers to consider chronic health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and mental health disorders when deciding whether to approve a foreigner's e
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Trump Administration Expands Visa Denials to Include Common Chronic Illnesses
Key Takeaways
The Trump administration has discreetly issued a far-reaching directive instructing U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to tighten visa issuance criteria for applicants with expensive medical conditions. The new policy will give visa officials the discretionary power to deny entry to people with conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders if their lifelong medical care is considered likely…
The provisions apply to holders of temporary visas, H-1B visas and applicants for permanent residence for family or work reasons.The U.S. Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, approved a new policy that restricts the issuance of visas to people with chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes or cancer. The decision is based on the fact that these applicants could become a financial burden for taxpayers, according to The Washingt…
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