NEW DELHI: The United States on Thursday clarified that its consular officers will reject tourist visa applications if they determine that the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the country in order to secure US citizenship for the child. Officials said such travel is not permitted and will result in a visa denial.
A State Department advisory notes that adjudicating 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 rule is part of the US government’s broader policy to curb what it considers misuse of visitor visas for birth tourism.Earlier this year, US department of state said, ““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.” “This is known as birth tourism and US consular officers deny all such visa applications under US immigration law. Those who abuse our immigration system through birth tourism may be ineligible for future visas or travel to the United States. This is one more way the US department of state is serving and protecting American taxpayers and communities,” US department of state in a April, 2025 social media post added. (More details awaited)
