U.S. President Donald Trump has announced new visa restrictions targeting applicants, including Nigerians and citizens of other countries, who are considered overweight.
The U.S. leader on Tuesday disclosed that a policy was underway to deny entry to individuals deemed grossly overweight and suffering from related health problems. He explained that his administration would not issue visas to persons who might “overburden” America’s healthcare system due to weight-related illnesses.
“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 stated on Truth Social.
The president clarified that the restriction would not affect applicants who are “slightly overweight,” adding that “the bigger ones will need to trim down to get approved.”
Trump further revealed that the restriction would soon apply to expatriates, stressing that no “grossly overweight” person, regardless of status, would be permitted entry into the U.S.
“We will EXPAND this rule to cover Expats in the near future. Rosie, you will never return to This Great Country,” he added.
This announcement follows Trump’s recent “fat shot” deal with two pharmaceutical companies aimed at lowering the cost of popular weight-loss medications, Ozempic and Zepbound.
According to a KFF Health News report on November 4, a new visa guideline was recently issued to U.S. embassies worldwide. The directive instructs consular officers to review applicants’ medical histories more closely to identify those likely to depend on public healthcare.
Under the revised policy, consular officers now have expanded authority to deny visas not only based on current medical conditions but also on potential future healthcare costs.
“You must consider an applicant’s health,” the directive stated. It highlighted conditions such as heart and lung diseases, cancer, diabetes, and mental health disorders as examples of illnesses that could lead to significant medical expenses.
The notice also listed obesity as a key risk factor, warning that it contributes to ailments such as asthma, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, all of which increase long-term healthcare costs.
Visa officers are now mandated to verify whether applicants have sufficient financial means to cover possible medical expenses without relying on public assistance.
They are also required to assess the health of accompanying family members, including children and elderly dependents, to determine whether caregiving responsibilities might affect an applicant’s financial stability while residing in the United States.
