US to Restrict Visas for Applicants with Common Chronic Health Conditions

The US government has directed its consular offices worldwide to deny visas to applicants with certain chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and cancer. The new guidance, issued via a State Department cable, argues such individuals could become a "public charge," relying on government resources for expensive, long-term care. Visa officers are now instructed to assess an applicant's financial ability to cover potential medical costs, a move that could significantly impact many aspiring immigrants from India and other nations.