US visa applications may be canceled if there are health problems.

Hakikul Islam Khokon

The Donald Trump administration has issued a directive that visa applicants for US residency who have health problems such as diabetes or obesity may have their applications rejected. The US State Department issued new guidance on Thursday (November 6), which said applicants with such health problems could become a 'public charge' or economic burden on the US and drain state resources. So these things must be verified before coming to the United States.

Washington-based media outlet KFF Health News reports that this instruction has been sent to US embassies and consulates in the form of notices.

Previously, the US visa process took into account factors such as infectious diseases, vaccination history, mental status and physical fitness. However, some other health issues have been added to the new policy.

As per the guidelines, health of the applicant should be considered. Some diseases (such as heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, metabolic, neurological and mental health problems) can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to treat. In this case, the visa officers have been instructed to assess whether the applicant is able to afford the medical expenses or not.

Charles Wheeler, senior attorney at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, a nonprofit legal aid organization, said that while the directive applies to all types of visas, it is expected to apply primarily to permanent residency applicants.

Wheeler also said that vesting the power to assess medical issues in the hands of visa officers is worrisome. They are not doctors, have no experience in this field and should not make decisions based on their own ideas or biases.

State Department guidelines state, Does the applicant have sufficient financial ability to cover lifetime medical expenses so that he can live without the need for government assistance or long-term institutional care? This must be verified.

The guidelines also state that the health of the applicant's family members should also be considered. For example, whether the child or elderly parent has a physical disability, chronic illness or special care needs. According to the guidelines, does any of the dependents have any physical or mental condition that may affect the applicant's work?

Sofia Genovese, an immigration attorney at Georgetown University, said the guidelines encourage visa officers to check applicants' medical history to determine their ability to pay medical expenses and employability in the United States; So that they understand, any such applicant to come to the United StatesDon't get into complications.Overall, the new rules are meant to avoid becoming a 'public charge' or financial burden for applicants with health problems coming to the US