USA Restricts Entry for Overweight and Diabetic Applicants Under New Health Rules
New Delhi | November 8, 2025 | DeccanLive.com
In a move that has sparked global concern, the United States government under President Donald Trump has reportedly introduced new visa rules targeting people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
According to international media reports, the US Department of State has issued new instructions to American embassies and consulates worldwide. These instructions ask immigration officers to carefully review the medical history of visa applicants before approval.
Previously, medical checks mainly focused on infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB). However, under the updated policy, the screening will also cover non-communicable diseases such as heart problems, diabetes, obesity, and mental health conditions.
The main goal of this new rule is to ensure that immigrants or visitors who might require expensive, long-term medical treatment — and could become a financial burden on the government — are not allowed entry into the country.
Officials have been directed to assess whether a person can afford their own medical care without relying on public funds. If an applicant is found to have a serious or long-term illness that might require government assistance, their visa could be rejected.
The advisory also mentions that diseases like heart issues, respiratory illnesses, cancer, diabetes, and neurological conditions require costly treatment. Similarly, obesity can lead to further complications such as asthma, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure, all of which need long-term care.
At present, the US State Department has not commented officially on whether these new rules have already been implemented.
This move follows a series of strict immigration policies introduced under the Trump administration, including limits on the stay of foreign students and visitors, and the proposal to raise the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 annually — all of which have raised concerns among immigrants and international applicants.
