The United States Embassy in India has issued a sharp advisory cautioning travellers against using visitor visas for what is commonly known as birth tourism. The warning states that B-1/B-2 tourist visas will be denied if consular officers believe an applicant’s primary intention is to travel to the US to give birth so the newborn can obtain American citizenship. The embassy emphasised that this purpose is not permitted under US visa rules, and officers have full authority to refuse visas on these grounds.
The reminder is based on a federal rule introduced in 2020, which explicitly empowers visa officers to reject applications when the applicant’s main goal is childbirth in the United States. According to American officials, birth tourism raises concerns related to healthcare costs, misuse of visitor visas, and pressures on public systems. The embassy, therefore, reiterated that any indication of such intent—whether stated or inferred—will result in denial.
This advisory comes at a time when the US is rolling out wider reforms in its visa scrutiny process. Starting December 15, the State Department will begin applying expanded social-media and online-presence checks to all individuals in the H-1B visa category and their H-4 dependents. Previously, these reviews were used primarily for student and exchange visitors. With this change, the US aims to strengthen security checks and verify background information more thoroughly across visa classes.
In addition to the new screening measures, the embassy has rescheduled a significant number of H-1B and H-4 visa interview appointments. Many applicants have been moved to dates as far ahead as mid-2026, causing concern and confusion among those planning travel and employment timelines. The embassy has clarified that applicants must attend only the updated appointment dates appearing on their visa confirmation page. Turning up for earlier, automatically cancelled slots will not be allowed.
The combined effect of these updates indicates that the US is adopting a more stringent approach toward both visitor and employment-related visa categories. The embassy has urged Indian applicants to provide accurate information, avoid misrepresentation, and ensure their stated travel purpose aligns with visa requirements. Travellers have been advised to prepare for more detailed questioning during interviews and to expect tighter verification processes in the months ahead.
