US visa, Green Card to get tougher for diabetics, patient with heart condition

Published on: 08 Nov 2025 at 05:09 PM

Published by: Fact News

Fact News Service

Chandigarh, November 8: Under a new directive from the Trump administration, foreign nationals with health conditions like diabetes or obesity could be denied US visas and permanent residency, according to a government directive. The guidelines were sent by the State Department to American embassies worldwide, reported the Washington-based KFF Health News. The guidance applies to all visa applicants but is primarily aimed at those seeking permanent US residency, a senior attorney said.

The State Department cable, sent to US embassies and consulates, instructs visa officers to flag applicants whose medical conditions, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic disorders, neurological conditions, mental health issues, and obesity, may require “hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of care”, according to the report.

The guidance said that such people could become a “public charge” — potential drain on US resources — because of their health issues or age.

The guidance applies to nearly all visa applicants but is likely to be used only in cases in which people seek to permanently reside in the US, senior attorney Charles Wheeler told KFF Health News. Wheeler is associated with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, a nonprofit legal aid group.

The State Department cable also advises visa officers to take additional health conditions, such as obesity, which can lead to asthma, sleep apnoea, and high blood pressure, into account when determining whether an immigrant might become a public charge and thus be denied entry into the US.

“All of these can require expensive, long-term care,” the cable reads.

Ever since US President Donald Trump assumed office for the second time, he has passed a number of immigration-related executive orders to curb the inflow of migrants.

Earlier, the Trump administration hiked annual H1B visa fees and mandated stricter scrutiny for Green card holders seeking US citizenship. These moves will hit the Indians hard.