A new immigration directive from the United States government could make it harder for Nigerians with long-term health conditions to secure visas or green cards.
The policy, issued under the Trump administration and now being enforced, expands the definition of who is considered a “public charge” – a term used to describe anyone likely to become a financial burden on the American government.
Under the new rules, US consular officers have been directed to scrutinise applicants with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, obesity, mental health issues, and respiratory illnesses. The concern is that such individuals could require expensive, long-term care and might rely on public funds to cover their treatment.
According to internal guidelines shared with American embassies and consulates worldwide, consular officials must assess whether an applicant has enough personal or family financial resources to pay for potential medical expenses in the US. They are now expected to deny visas if there’s a likelihood the applicant would need extensive or long-term medical care that could cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Unlike previous medical screenings that focused mainly on infectious diseases, the latest approach now puts non-communicable conditions in focus – a move seen by immigration experts as a significant shift.
This policy could particularly affect Nigerians seeking to relocate permanently to the US or apply for family-sponsored visas, where medical history is part of the assessment.
Although it is unclear whether the directive applies to tourist or student visa categories, immigration analysts say the expanded criteria could be used more broadly depending on the discretion of individual officers.
For many Nigerians living with chronic illnesses but hoping for better opportunities abroad, the development adds another hurdle in an already challenging immigration process.
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