US Imposes Visa Restrictions for Obese and Diabetic
The US government has introduced new visa restrictions for foreign nationals suffering from obesity, diabetes, and certain chronic or mental illnesses.
According to the US State Department, embassies worldwide must deny visas to applicants likely to rely on public assistance after entry.
The “Public Charge Rule” allows visa rejection for individuals with diabetes, obesity, cancer, or heart disease due to financial burden concerns.
US officials stated treating these chronic illnesses domestically is extremely costly, creating potential dependency on government healthcare resources over time.
Applicants can request reconsideration if they can prove they can independently cover all medical treatment and associated healthcare expenses.
The policy is viewed as an extension of Trump-era “Public Charge” regulations targeting healthy and financially stable immigrants.
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Over 100 million Americans currently suffer from obesity, while more than 38 million residents are diagnosed with diabetes nationwide.
Mental health conditions are included in the restrictions if likely to result in public assistance reliance or medical support dependency.
The visa rules apply to all non-immigrant and immigrant categories, including permanent residency and long-term stay applicants in the United States.
Officials said the policy is intended to reduce government expenditure on healthcare for incoming visa applicants with high-risk medical conditions.
Health experts warn these restrictions may disproportionately impact applicants from countries with high prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and limited healthcare access.
Exceptions may be granted for applicants demonstrating sufficient personal funds or insurance coverage to fully manage their medical treatments independently.
