Reports suggest that individuals seeking visas to live in the United States may face denials if they have certain medical issues, like obesity, cancer, or diabetes.
This guidance was communicated through a cable sent by the State Department to officials in embassies and consulates. The directive instructs visa officers to consider the applicant’s age and the likelihood of needing public benefits when determining eligibility for U.S. admission, as noted in a State Department review.
“The applicant’s health needs to be taken into account,” the cable indicated.
According to the directive, “Certain health issues, including— but not limited to— cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, metabolic disease, neurological disease, and mental health conditions could require extensive and costly treatment.”
Visa officers are also urged to look for obesity, which can amplify issues like asthma, sleep apnea, and hypertension, as reported by the Telegram.
Health screenings are already essential for immigrants and refugees entering the U.S.
While it’s standard for visa officers to check for contagious diseases like tuberculosis and review vaccination histories, the expanded guidelines have significantly bolstered their capacity to deny visa requests.
The directive argues that individuals with such medical issues might become a “public burden” and possibly strain state resources.
Those who cannot afford medical care without relying on state aid may also be denied, the newspaper highlighted.
“Does the applicant possess adequate financial resources to manage the costs of healthcare independently over their expected lifetime, without needing public cash support or long-term care at government expense?” the cable queried.
Officials will also evaluate whether applicants can sustain the medical costs of dependents or maintain employment.
While this guidance encompasses all visa applicants, it is likely to mainly impact those aiming for permanent residency in the U.S., the report indicated.
Officials are required to assess the “total impact” of individuals unable to afford their medical care, rather than making decisions solely based on specific medical conditions, a State Department representative explained.
“Each case will be handled individually,” an official shared with the publication.
The State Department did not promptly respond to requests for comment.
Cardiovascular disease stands as the leading cause of death globally, claiming roughly 17.9 million lives annually, per data from the World Health Organization.
The WHO projected that by 2022, one in eight people worldwide would be obese, noting that adult obesity rates have doubled since 1990.
In the U.S., adult obesity rates hovered around 40.3% from 2021 to 2023, according to the CDC.
