Mumbai: The United States has introduced new guidance that could allow visa officers to deny visas or green cards to foreign nationals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The move is framed as an expansion of the century-old “public charge” rule, which comes even as President Donald Trump defended the H-1B visa programme, saying the US continues to rely on foreign talent for specialised industries. The mixed signals have sparked unease among students and skilled workers, particularly from India.

Health-Based Visa Screening Expanded

A directive issued to US embassies and consulates around the world instructs visa officers to flag applicants whose medical conditions might require care costing “hundreds of thousands of dollars” over a lifetime. The

See Full Page