The Trump administration has introduced a new US visa policy that allows embassies to deny visas or permanent residency to applicants with chronic health conditions. These include diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, mental health, and metabolic disorders.
The new guidance, issued on Thursday, directs visa officers to determine whether applicants can afford medical expenses without relying on government assistance. Officials said the goal is to prevent individuals who may become a “public charge” in the United States.
Under the updated US visa policy, officers must also assess the health of applicants’ family members. Dependents’ medical conditions will be reviewed to decide if they could affect a family’s ability to remain financially independent in the country.
Previously, visa screenings were limited to communicable diseases, required vaccinations, and certain mental health conditions. However, the new rules expand that focus, giving officers more discretion to evaluate applicants’ health and economic stability—even though most are not medically trained.
The policy has drawn criticism from immigration lawyers and public health experts. Charles Wheeler of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network said the rule could lead to unfair assumptions about medical costs. Sophia Genovese from Georgetown University called the directive “troubling,” warning it could exclude millions of people with common chronic conditions.
Medical exams by embassy-approved physicians remain mandatory. These tests check for communicable diseases, mental health issues, substance use, and vaccination status. However, chronic illnesses and long-term healthcare costs are now major factors in determining eligibility for entry or permanent residency under the new US visa policy.
Critics argue that the move may disproportionately affect low-income applicants and families with long-term medical needs. Supporters, however, claim it protects public resources by ensuring newcomers can support themselves financially.
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