Overview
- The reported instruction adds obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer as grounds that could justify denying a U.S. visa.
- The guidance was described as applying to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, affecting how officers assess applicants' health.
- The Washington Post disclosure on Nov. 13 was carried internationally via a Kyodo Washington dispatch and published by Japanese outlets on Nov. 13–14.
- Articles note the change could lead to more refusals for applicants with chronic conditions, though details on implementation remain limited.
- Coverage points out that immigrant visa applicants already undergo medical exams and vaccination checks, with screening expected to tighten under the reported policy.