The Trump administration is reportedly planning to deny US residency visas to individuals with chronic medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease a move that could affect many Indians seeking permanent residence.
According to a report by KFF Health News, the administration has directed the US Department of State to reject visa applications where medical conditions may make the applicant a potential “public charge” or financial burden on the system.
Experts clarified that this rule will not affect students applying for temporary study visas, as they are already required to have health insurance coverage.
Immigration lawyers said the policy targets applicants’ health and financial capacity, adding a new layer of scrutiny to US green card and residency processes. Legal experts, including Prachi Shah and Keshav Singhania, called the move medically unfounded and potentially discriminatory.
While not all applicants with chronic diseases will be denied, those unable to prove adequate financial or insurance backing may face rejection, possibly leading to higher visa denial rates for Indians seeking permanent residency.
