2025-11-18

Fact Check: Can Diabetes or Obesity Affect Your U.S. Visa in 2025?

Recent U.S. State Department guidance has sparked concerns regarding whether chronic health conditions such as diabetes or obesity could influence visa approvals in 2025.

While these conditions are not automatic reasons for denial, applicants with chronic illnesses may face heightened scrutiny during the visa process.

What the New Guidance States

Visa officers are now instructed to assess medical conditions including:

Diabetes and obesity
Cancer, cardiovascular, or respiratory diseases
Metabolic, neurological, or mental health conditions

Officers must also evaluate if applicants and certain dependents have sufficient financial resources to cover medical care without relying on U.S. government assistance.

This policy is linked to the “public charge” rule, which aims to prevent potential visa holders from becoming dependent on public benefits.

Criticisms and Concerns

Subjectivity: Visa officers typically lack medical expertise, creating risks of inconsistent or inaccurate evaluations.
Documentation burden: Applicants may face extensive requirements to prove financial independence for ongoing medical care.
Equity issues: The policy could disproportionately impact applicants from regions with high chronic illness rates or limited resources.

Supporters' Perspective

Proponents argue the guidance reinforces self-sufficiency standards, ensuring that long-term healthcare costs are not unfairly shifted to U.S. taxpayers.

Practical Impact on Visa Applicants

No automatic denial: Diabetes or obesity alone will not result in visa rejection.
Financial capability matters: Approval often depends on proof of ability to independently pay for necessary medical care.
Decision variability: Outcomes may vary by embassy, consular officer, and visa category.