Clarification from the U.S. Embassy: How health factors influence visa eligibility and why obesity is not grounds for refusal

This week, U.S. and international media widely discussed reports claiming that obesity and other chronic health conditions might become grounds for visa refusals under an alleged change in U.S. immigration policy, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

On 6 November 2025, "KFF Health News" published material titled "Immigrants With Health Conditions May Be Denied Visas Under New Trump Administration Guidance" referring to an internal U.S. Department of State document reportedly circulated to consular posts. According to the publication, the document recommended considering a broader range of chronic illnesses — including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and obesity — when assessing the likelihood of an applicant becoming a "public charge" (a person dependent on government support).

"Public charge" is a U.S. immigration term referring to an individual who, in the government’s view, may require public assistance, such as social benefits or state-funded medical care.

"The Washington Post" drew attention to the same document, noting that consular officers had been given broader interpretive guidance. Experts cited by the newspaper stressed that this pertains to internal instructions, not legal changes.

Some national media outlets in Uzbekistan reproduced these reports, suggesting that applicants with obesity may be denied entry to the United States.

The list of Class B medical conditions has not been changed, and all visa applications continue to be assessed based on established procedures and complete applicant information.

According to official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as published on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website and outlined in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), obesity is not classified as a medical condition that automatically results in visa denial or inadmissibility.