NEW YORK (Kashmir English): Visa applications for the United States for people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and obesity may be rejected, according to US media.
The Trump administration has issued new instructions regarding US Visa application to US embassies and consulates around the world.
According to the new State Department guidelines, visa officers can now consider applicants’ heart, respiratory, neurological, mental health, and metabolic diseases (such as diabetes) as possible reasons for visa denial.
The guidelines state that if an applicant has a medical condition that is expensive to treat and may require government financial assistance in the future, a visa may be denied on that basis.
Officers are also instructed to see if the applicant can afford to pay for their own medical expenses.
Traditionally, US Visa application were only screened for communicable diseases, vaccinations, and specific aspects of mental health.
Applicants for US visas will still have to undergo a medical examination by an embassy-approved physician, which includes screening for infectious diseases, mental health, drug use, and vaccinations.
