US Cracks Down On Birth Tourism, To Deny Visa For Citizenship-Seeking Parents

Last Updated:December 11, 2025, 19:56 IST

The US embassy said its consular officers won't give tourist visas if the applicant intends to give birth on American soil as a shortcut to obtaining citizenship.

The move is part of the US government’s policy to curb what it considers misuse of visitor visas for birth tourism. (AI Generated Image)

In a sweeping rule, the United States announced that it will deny tourist visa applications if the individual’s primary purpose of travel is believed to be giving birth in the country to obtain US citizenship for the child.

In a post on X, the US embassy in India said the US will not process visa applications if there is any indication the tourist intends to give birth on American soil as a shortcut to obtaining citizenship.

“US consular officers will deny tourist visa applications if they believe the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to obtain US citizenship for the child. This is not permitted," it said.

According to the US State Department, birth tourism – travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain US citizenship for their child – is not permitted on a visitor visa. Officers are required to assess the applicant’s intent, and if they believe the visit is planned for childbirth to obtain citizenship, the visa cannot be granted.

The move is part of the US government’s policy to curb what it considers misuse of visitor visas for birth tourism. “It is unacceptable for foreign parents to use a US tourist visa for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain citizenship for the child, which also could result in American taxpayers paying the medical care costs," the State Department said earlier this year.

Meanwhile, foreigners who are allowed to come to the United States without a visa could soon be required to submit information about their social media, email accounts and extensive family history to the Department of Homeland Security before being approved for travel.

The notice published on Wednesday in the Federal Register said Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is proposing collecting five years’ worth of social media information from travellers from select countries who do not have to get visas to come to the US. The Trump administration has been stepping up monitoring of international travellers and immigrants.

This online screening will cover all H-1B speciality occupation workers and their H-4 dependents, the US Embassy in India said on Wednesday. In a statement, a US Embassy spokesperson explained that the Department of State already conducts online presence checks for student and exchange visitor visa categories such as F, M, and J. Starting December 15, this review will also include H-1B and H-4 applicants.

(with inputs from agencies)

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