Henceforth, it will become very difficult for people to enter the US if they are diabetic or obese or have heart-related issues. Why? As per the revised rules, US State Department has asked US embassies and consulates across the world to refuse permission to enter or stay in the US to applicants suffering from health problems.
That means diabetics, obese people and those suffering from cancer will not be able to enter the US, as it is feared that they will become a burden to the US government in terms of resources.
Instructions have reportedly been given to visa officers to consider the age of applicants, their financial health as well as their physical health while going through visa applications. Any applications from those who look like they may go on to be dependent on US medical services or care in the future should not be accepted. For instance, applicants who are obese are likely to develop breathing problems or asthma in the future, or sleep disorders and even high blood pressure.
Applicants who may have respiratory issues, diabetes, neurological disorders, mental health issues, or heart problems that may require expensive medical assistance or care will have to be rejected.
The idea is to ensure that those trying to enter the US, even if they have a strong sponsor, should not become a public charge or a drain on the resources of the government.
If the applicants are able to pay their own medical expenses throughout their stay and life without help from the government, their visa will be approved. Even if they have dependents, family members or elderly parents with health issues, their application may be rejected.
The Public Charge rule will affect the thousands of Indians applying for green card every year. A significant number possess H1B visas and belong to the healthcare and information technology sectors. The rule will cause at least a 20 per cent increase in visa rejections, and professionals may not be able to bag lucrative jobs anymore.
