In a significant policy shift that could impact thousands of Indian applicants, the Trump administration is considering denying visas to foreigners with health conditions like diabetes and obesity, while simultaneously increasing H-1B visa fees to a staggering $100,000.
Health-Based Visa Restrictions
According to internal guidance obtained by KFF Health News, the State Department has directed consular officers to reject visa applications from individuals with various medical conditions. The cable specifically mentions cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological conditions, and mental health issues as potential grounds for visa denial.
Visa officers have been instructed to consider whether applicants could become a public charge - meaning they might require government assistance for medical care. The guidance explicitly asks officers to evaluate if obesity could lead to conditions like asthma, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure, potentially making applicants ineligible for US entry.
Financial Scrutiny Intensifies
The new directives require visa officers to assess whether applicants have sufficient financial resources to cover potential medical costs throughout their entire expected lifespan. The cable poses a critical question: Does the applicant have adequate financial resources to cover the costs of such care over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance?
This represents a substantial tightening of the public charge rule, which has traditionally been a ground for visa denial but now includes broader health considerations.
H-1B Visa Fee Increase and Investigations
In parallel developments, the administration has implemented a $100,000 one-time fee on H-1B visa petitions, dramatically increasing the cost for companies sponsoring foreign workers. The Department of Labor has launched Project Firewall in September, initiating 175 investigations into potential H-1B visa program abuses.
The DOL announced on social media platform X: As part of our mission to protect American Jobs, we've launched 175 investigations into H-1B abuse. Under @POTUS and @SecretaryLCD's leadership, we'll continue taking action to put American Workers FIRST.
Additional Immigration Restrictions
Adding to the series of immigration reforms, the administration has ended the automatic extension of work permits for foreign non-immigrant workers. The new rules, effective from Thursday, stop the practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents (EADs) for foreign workers in certain categories.
This change is particularly significant for Indian professionals, who constitute a substantial portion of H-1B visa holders and often face long waiting periods for permanent residency. The combination of health-based restrictions, increased fees, and reduced work permit flexibility creates multiple hurdles for Indians seeking to work and live in the United States.
While there has been no official announcement confirming the health-based visa restrictions, the internal guidance suggests a fundamental shift in US immigration policy that could affect countless applicants from India and other countries.
