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US May Deny Visas to Applicants with Conditions Like Diabetes and Obesity: Report

The move underscores the growing importance of demonstrating not only financial stability but also robust health and the ability to manage chronic conditions without burdening the U.S. healthcare system.

• By Newsdesk
• New Delhi
• Nov 10, 2025

News

In a notable policy shift, the United States government is reportedly steering visa decisions for foreign nationals toward a broader health checklist than ever before. According to a cable from the US State Department sent to American embassies, applicants with medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological diseases may now face the risk of visa denial.

The directive instructs consular officers to evaluate whether visa recipients—or their dependents—could rely on public health benefits or require high-cost, long-term medical care. “You must consider an applicant’s health,” the cable reportedly states, highlighting chronic illnesses that could lead to “hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of care.”

Obesity has been explicitly flagged in the guidance, as it can lead to related conditions such as asthma, sleep apnea, and hypertension, all of which may impose significant healthcare expenses.

In addition to the applicant, the policy also requires officers to assess the health of dependents—such as children or elderly parents—to determine if their medical needs might affect the applicant’s ability to remain self-sufficient.

While medical screening has long been part of the U.S. immigration process, traditionally focusing on communicable diseases and vaccination records, experts suggest this marks a substantial expansion of what constitutes a health risk. According to immigration lawyers, although the policy technically applies to most visa categories, it is expected to be enforced most rigorously in applications for permanent residency.

The shift could impact thousands of applicants globally, particularly from countries like India, where lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes and obesity are on the rise. The move underscores the growing importance of demonstrating not only financial stability but also robust health and the ability to manage chronic conditions without burdening the U.S. healthcare system.

While the guidance is currently an internal directive, its implementation could signal a lasting change in U.S. immigration policy—one that places health economics at the forefront of visa eligibility decisions.