No visas for birth-tourism plans, US Embassy warns Indian travellers
New Delhi: The US Embassy in India has issued a warning to tourist-visa applicants, signalling a tougher line against what Washington calls birth tourism.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the embassy in a post on X said any applicant suspected of travelling to the United States with the intention of giving birth — as a shortcut to American citizenship for the child — will see their tourist visa denied on the spot.
“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,” the embassy wrote on X.
The warning reiterates a 2020 amendment to US visa rules, which explicitly empowers consular officers to reject B-1/B-2 visitor visa applications if birth tourism is suspected.
The State Department, in April, posted the message that using a US tourist visa to secure citizenship for a newborn not only abuses the system but can result in American taxpayers covering medical costs.
“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 US Department of State wrote.
