‘No More Visas for Fat Nigerians’ – President Trump Tightens USA Visa Rule

The Trump administration has rolled out a controversial new policy that has left many Nigerians staring at their passports in disbelief. The U.S. Department of State now instructs visa officers to consider applicants’ health conditions, including obesity and chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, before approving visas.

In other words, your love for jollof rice and puff-puff might now be a matter of national security or at least a U.S. visa issue. Independent UK

The guidance targets those who could potentially rely on U.S. public funds for medical care, which includes fat Nigerians, among others.

This is part of a broader “public charge” policy aimed at reducing perceived burdens on the U.S. healthcare system, but it has ignited both confusion and humor back home.

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Nigerians Grapple with Health-Based Visa Rules

Nigeria has always faced heightened visa scrutiny, but this latest directive adds a twist of absurdity. Obesity, metabolic disorders, and other medical conditions are now explicit reasons that could lead to denial.

For Nigerians dreaming of studying abroad, attending business meetings, or simply going on a family vacation, the new rule feels like an unexpected fitness challenge.

Social media is already buzzing with jokes about how the U.S. might start offering exercise classes at the embassy before stamping passports.

The policy has made it clear that a traveler’s health and potential healthcare costs will now weigh as heavily as financial stability or the purpose of travel.

Even the most carefully planned trips could be derailed if consular officers decide that a waistline or chronic condition is a liability.

The Memo That Sparked Outrage

The leaked memo from the U.S. Department of State makes it bluntly clear: visa officers must evaluate an applicant’s health, considering conditions ranging from obesity to heart disease and diabetes.

Applicants are expected to show that they can cover their medical expenses and are unlikely to become a public burden. Immigration lawyers have described this as “a major shift in visa policy,” noting that many Nigerians who previously had no trouble securing visas may now face additional hurdles.

Reactions across Nigeria have been a mix of shock, outrage, and humor. Adeola Ogunleye, a Lagos-based entrepreneur, remarked,

“So now my love for amala and egusi soup could cost me a visa? Maybe I should start jogging with my food.”

While many are laughing off the absurdity, there is a real sense of concern about how this could limit opportunities for study, work, and business travel.

What This Means for Nigerians

For Nigerians hoping to travel to the U.S., the message is clear: health matters as much as purpose and finances. Applicants may now need to provide medical documentation, demonstrate financial independence, and ensure that their health history doesn’t raise red flags.

It is a new reality where even routine indulgences in local delicacies might be scrutinized under the unforgiving lens of U.S. visa officers.

“You must consider an applicant’s health,”

the memo states, a line that has been repeated in embassies and consulates around the world. It is a stark reminder that, in today’s visa world, even personal health is a matter of official concern.

Trump’s new health-based visa policy has stirred laughter, memes, and genuine anxiety among Nigerians. While the U.S. intends to reduce potential medical burdens, the approach has highlighted how personal health can now influence international travel.

For Nigerians, it is a cautionary tale of balancing dreams of overseas travel with waistlines, medical histories, and a little humor. In this new visa landscape, even a love for puff-puff or egusi soup could become part of your official travel story.