Imagining a future in global health without visa and passport inequities
Shashika Bandara, Zahra Zeinali, Maria Blandina, Omid V. Ebrahimi, Mohammad Yasir Essar, Joyeuse Senga, Mehr Muhammad Adeel Riaz, I. Adewole, Marie-Claire Wangari
Abstract
There is a growing and overdue recognition in recent years of visa and passport inequities as a significant barrier to global health education, practice, and participation. These inequities largely impact low-and middle-income country (LMIC) citizens, refugees, and asylum seekers, as highlighted by us, other affected individuals, and advocates for systemic change Examples illustrate a range of challenges including structurally discriminatory border control policies by high income countries (HICs), poor administrative due diligence in visa processes, lack of professionalism and inconsistency in assessment procedures during visa interviews or at customs, disregard for extended visa processing timelines by event organizers, associated high costs and ignorance of visa challenges by event organizers, academic institutions, and organizations While highest level of restrictions are imposed by countries in the Global North, it is crucial to note that visa and passport discrimination against LMIC citizens are practiced by countries in the Global South as well