The United States will require immigrant visa applicants to have health insurance

The White House announced that as of November 3, 2019, applicants for Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residences or Green Cards) through the consular process will have to prove that they will have current health insurance upon entering the United States; that they will be covered by medical insurance 30 days after entering the country; or that they have sufficient financial resources to cover their medical expenses in case of any eventuality.

This new regulation will take effect on November 3, 2019, and will only affect foreigners who apply for legal permanent resident status in a consular office of the Department of State, and not people who are in the United States and request green card through adjustment of status. Nor does it affect those who are already legal permanent residents, or asylum seekers, refugees or minors, or applicants for tourist visas or other nonimmigrant visas.

In this statement, President Trump said that “Hospitals and other providers often administer care to the uninsured without any hope of receiving reimbursement from them. The costs associated with this care are passed on to the American people in the form of higher taxes, higher premiums, and higher fees for medical services.” He also said that “Notably, data show that lawful immigrants are about three times more likely than United States citizens to lack health insurance. Immigrants who enter this country should not further saddle our healthcare system, and subsequently American taxpayers, with higher costs.”

You can read the official statement here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-will-financially-burden-united-states-healthcare-system/