Deborah Akinyosoye
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued guidance affecting visa applicants, including those from Nigeria and other countries, who are overweight.
The US president on Tuesday revealed that a restriction was in the works for people who were grossly overweight and suffered health problems to be banned from entering the U.S.
He said his administration would not approve visas for people who could “overburden” the U.S. health system because of their weight-related diseases.
“We will not ban all fat people from entering our Great Country, only those whose poor health will overburden our health care system,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The restriction, Trump said, exempts visa applicants who are “slightly overweight” while stating that “the bigger ones will need to trim down to get approved”.
Trump further disclosed plans to extend the visa restriction to expatriates, suggesting that no “grossly overweight” persons will be welcome in the U.S., regardless of their status.
“We will EXPAND this rule to cover Expats in the near future. Rosie, you will never return to This Great Country,” stated Mr Trump.
This is coming on the heels of Trump’s announcement of his “fat shot” deal with two pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost of popular weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Zepbound.
On November 4, a KFF Health News report disclosed that a new visa rule was issued by cable to embassies across the United States.
The guideline directed officers to examine applicants’ medical histories more closely to identify those who might depend on public healthcare.
Under the new policy, consular officers now have broader powers to reject applications based not only on current health issues but also on possible future medical costs.
“You must consider an applicant’s health,” the directive stated. It listed conditions such as heart and lung diseases, cancer, diabetes, and mental health disorders as illnesses that could lead to high treatment expenses.
The notice also pointed out obesity as a major risk factor, warning that it could contribute to asthma, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, which increase healthcare costs over time.
Visa officers must now verify whether applicants have enough financial resources to cover potential medical expenses without depending on government aid.
They are also required to evaluate the health of family members, including children and elderly parents, to determine whether caregiving responsibilities might affect an applicant’s ability to remain financially stable in the United States.