Thailand And Other Countries Including Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Sri Lanka Face Travel Hurdles As US Introduces Stringent Visa Health Regulations Impacting Millions Of Travelers: New Updates You Need To Know

Published on December 10, 2025

Thailand and other countries including Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, Bangladesh, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka are facing significant travel hurdles as the U.S. introduces stringent new visa health regulations, impacting millions of travelers. These updated policies, which target applicants with chronic medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, have caused widespread disruptions for individuals from nations with high rates of these conditions. As a result, travelers are now grappling with added medical evaluations, stricter documentation requirements, and longer visa processing times, making it crucial for applicants to stay informed and plan ahead to avoid delays.

In a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, the United States has announced a stricter health-related visa regulation that will have a profound impact on international travelers, particularly those from countries with high rates of chronic illnesses. As part of these new measures, the U.S. has introduced stricter health evaluations for visa applicants, particularly focusing on conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. These changes are already causing widespread disruptions for travelers from several nations, including Thailand, Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, and more. The ripple effects are being felt across industries and individuals alike, with many scrambling to adjust their travel plans, secure earlier visa appointments, and navigate the evolving health requirements.

A Tightening of US Visa Health Policies

The newly implemented U.S. visa health policies mark one of the most significant changes to the country’s immigration framework in years. Starting in November 2025, U.S. consular officers are required to scrutinize applicants for chronic medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, assessing whether these conditions might impose a burden on the U.S. healthcare system. While this change aims to safeguard public health and reduce healthcare costs, it has created uncertainty for applicants from countries with high incidences of these conditions. This includes nations like Thailand, Saudi Arabia, China, Bangladesh, the UAE, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, and many others.

The U.S. visa process is already known for its complexity, but with these new health regulations, it has become even more daunting. Applicants now face additional medical screenings, including providing comprehensive health records, lab results, treatment histories, and proof of health insurance coverage. For many, this added layer of bureaucracy is causing delays and frustration, with many applicants being left in limbo while they attempt to meet the new requirements.

Affected Countries: Thailand and Beyond

The list of countries affected by the new U.S. visa health policy is extensive, but several nations stand out due to their high rates of chronic illness, which may lead to more frequent rejections or delays. Thailand, a country known for its strong ties to the U.S. in terms of tourism, education, and business, has seen a surge in applicants rushing to secure earlier visa appointments before the stricter regulations fully take hold.

In addition to Thailand, other nations with high rates of chronic conditions, such as Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE, Bangladesh, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka, are also experiencing travel disruptions. These countries are home to large populations that rely on U.S. visas for various purposes, including tourism, higher education, business ventures, and long-term migration pathways such as the H1B visa. As more individuals scramble to submit their applications in light of the new rules, appointment slots for visa interviews have become increasingly competitive.

The new health regulations also target specific visa categories that are highly relevant for applicants from these countries, including the H1B work visa, B-1/B-2 visitor visa, and Green Card adjustment-of-status applicants. For many, the impact of the new rules is not just limited to delays but also includes the possibility of outright denial if they cannot demonstrate that they will not be a financial burden due to their medical conditions.

Rising Demand for Early Visa Appointments

With visa appointment slots now more limited than ever, many applicants from affected countries are turning to expedited services to secure an earlier interview date. In countries like Thailand, where the demand for U.S. visas has historically been high, applicants are facing long wait times for interview appointments, with some scheduling delays stretching well into 2026. As a result, services like Akbar Travels’ Early US Visa Appointment Service have become increasingly popular, offering applicants the chance to secure appointments in as little as 20 days.

These services are particularly vital for those looking to avoid the uncertainty and delays caused by the stricter health requirements. With regular booking windows now highly competitive, many travelers have no choice but to turn to these expedited options to ensure they don’t miss out on important opportunities for work, education, or family reunification in the U.S.

For countries like Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and China, the process of securing a timely visa interview has become a race against the clock. The increased pressure to meet new health standards has added an extra layer of complexity to the already challenging visa application process, making it essential for travelers to plan ahead and seek assistance with securing early appointments.

The Impact on Long-Term U.S. Visa Pathways

For many travelers, the new health policy has significant implications for long-term U.S. visa pathways, particularly for individuals applying for work visas, family-based visas, and student visas. Nations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have long been major contributors to the pool of applicants for H1B work visas and family reunification programs. With the new health requirements in place, applicants from these countries may face additional scrutiny regarding their medical histories.

The most immediate concern for applicants is the potential for visa denials based on health conditions, particularly for those who have chronic illnesses that are deemed to be high-risk by U.S. immigration authorities. While the regulations do not automatically disqualify applicants, they provide consular officers with more discretion to reject applications based on medical risk factors.

This uncertainty has prompted many applicants to seek advice from immigration consultants and healthcare professionals to ensure that they meet the new requirements and can present their health records in the best possible light. For individuals with pre-existing conditions, the process of demonstrating their ability to afford medical care and prove that they will not burden the U.S. healthcare system has become a focal point in the visa application process.

Increased Documentation and Health Requirements

As part of the new policy, applicants will now be required to submit more detailed documentation related to their health history. This includes providing comprehensive medical records, evidence of ongoing treatments, and lab reports that document the severity and management of chronic conditions. In addition, applicants will need to provide proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in the U.S.

For countries with a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, such as Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, this extra documentation will create an added burden on applicants. For example, individuals from these nations may need to work closely with healthcare providers to ensure they meet the new health insurance and medical evaluation requirements.

This increased documentation is particularly critical for applicants seeking long-term visas, such as the H1B work visa or permanent residency through the Green Card process. Many individuals from these countries are already accustomed to navigating complex visa requirements, but the new health standards have added an additional layer of complexity that is creating significant delays and frustration.

How Akbar Travels Supports Applicants

For many travelers from Thailand, Saudi Arabia, China, and other affected countries, navigating the new U.S. visa health regulations has become an overwhelming task. However, services like Akbar Travels have stepped in to help applicants streamline the process and ensure they meet the new requirements. With over 46 years of experience in handling U.S. visa applications, Akbar Travels offers specialized support to applicants seeking early visa appointments, especially in light of the recent policy changes.

By providing expedited services and guiding applicants through the complex medical documentation requirements, Akbar Travels has become a trusted resource for individuals navigating the shifting U.S. immigration landscape. The company’s 100% online process and expertise in securing early visa appointments within 20 days have proven invaluable for travelers eager to avoid the delays and uncertainty caused by the new health regulations.

What the Future Holds

The full impact of the U.S. visa health policy changes will continue to unfold in the coming months. With the potential for further delays and additional health screenings, travelers from countries like Thailand, Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE, Bangladesh, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka will need to stay informed and proactive. As the U.S. continues to tighten its visa rules for applicants with chronic illnesses, the importance of early preparation and expert guidance will only increase.

Thailand and other countries including Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, Bangladesh, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka are facing significant travel hurdles as the U.S. implements stringent visa health regulations. These new policies, targeting applicants with chronic medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, are causing widespread delays and complications for millions of travelers.

For travelers planning long-term stays, work opportunities, or family reunifications in the U.S., understanding the new health requirements and seeking early visa appointments will be crucial in avoiding unnecessary delays and complications. As these changes take effect, it is clear that navigating U.S. visa procedures will require more effort, foresight, and support than ever before.