Health plays a big role in travel and immigration today, especially as medical costs rise globally. For those planning to move to or work in the United States, health conditions might now decide more than just lifestyle—they could affect visa approvals too. According to the new US government guideline, visa officers have been asked to review applicants with chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, or asthma more carefully. Scroll down for more details.
US Tightens Visa Rules For Travellers With Health Issues
The US State Department has issued new guidance to visa officers, asking them to closely examine applicants with long-term or costly medical conditions. The new rule instructs officers to flag applicants whose treatment could cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars”, reported the Times of India. The list of conditions includes diabetes, heart disease, cancer, respiratory issues, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, and mental health conditions. Obesity is also mentioned because it can lead to complications such as asthma, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
This means that individuals with such conditions may face additional scrutiny when applying for a US visa or green card. Reports suggested that officers have been asked to assess whether an applicant might become a future financial burden on the US healthcare system.
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Expansion Of “Public Charge” Rule
According to the Times of India, this policy is an expansion of the long-standing “public charge” rule. The rule allows the US government to deny visas to people who might depend on government assistance. Traditionally, this rule applied only to applicants with infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. The new visa rules now add chronic and lifestyle-related illnesses to the list.
Visa officers are also directed to check if applicants have enough financial resources to pay for long-term medical care without needing public aid. It’s not yet clear whether this rule applies to tourist or student visas. While it technically covers all visa types, experts believe it mainly targets people seeking permanent residence in the United States.
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