The US Embassy has warned Indians that tourist visas will be immediately rejected on suspicion of birth-tourism. Additionally, social-media screening of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants has become mandatory. Many interviews rescheduled to 2026, raising concerns among travellers.
New Delhi. If you are planning to visit America, or are thinking of applying for a tourist visa, then this news is very important for you. The US Embassy in India has now issued a strict warning for travelers traveling on tourist visas. Especially for those people who travel with the intention of Birth Tourism i.e. “to give birth to a child in America and get citizenship for it”. The US Embassy says that if any tourist visa applicant is suspected of traveling only for the purpose of “giving birth to a child in the United States”, his B-1/B-2 visa will be immediately rejected. The move comes at a time when the US has already implemented strict policies like social media scanning, new screening process for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, and interview rescheduling. This means that it is clear that now getting a visa to America is not as easy as before. And any intention like berth tourism can stop your trip forever.
What is Birth Tourism in the US and why is it considered fraud?
First of all understand what birth tourism is. Some people go to America only for the purpose that their child is born in the US and gets American citizenship immediately. This is also considered according to US law, because a child born on American soil gets citizenship by birth. But now the US government believes that this method is a misuse of the system. Although US law states that any child born in the United States can become a citizen, “getting a visa just to give birth” is considered an abuse of the system. According to the US Department of State, such cases cost American taxpayers millions in medical expenses, and many people use it as a way to “shortcut US citizenship”. This is the reason why in 2020 the US changed the rules to give consular officers the right to reject visas only in case of doubt. Now clear instructions have been given to consular officers to reject visas as soon as there is suspicion of birth tourism.
New warning from US Embassy: Such strict action on tourist visa for the first time
The US Embassy posted on This warning reiterates the 2020 rule that B-1/B-2 visitor visas cannot be used to shortcut citizenship. This means that now America can also scan your medical history, pregnancy status, social media posts, travel plan and stay information.
Social media checks become more stringent – especially for H-1B and H-4
The US has now made social media checking mandatory as well. From December 15, every H-1B worker, every H-1B applicant and their H-4 dependents will have to provide online details of their social media accounts to the US. Meaning, if anything seems suspicious from your posts, photos or comments, your visa may be stopped. This is a big concern for many Indians because:
- Indians account for about 70% of H-1B.
- Indians constitute over 90% of H-4 EAD holders.
- Career, loan, children’s education all depend on visa status.
US Visa Interviews in India also openly rescheduled – some till 2026
A large number of H-1B and H-4 interviews in India have been suddenly rescheduled. Many dates have been pushed straight to 2026. The US Embassy says that if your interview has been rescheduled, then come at the new time only. If you arrive on the old date, “admission will be refused”, which means US is now changing the visa interview also according to its convenience and safety.
Why is US so strict on Birth Tourism?
The main reasons are:
- Many foreign families do not pay medical bills.
- The government has to bear many expenses due to granting citizenship.
- Some people are misusing the visa system.
- This increases additional pressure on security agencies.
- America directly calls Birth Tourism an “abuse of the visa system”.
Will those traveling from India now have to be careful?
If your objective:
- Wandering
- family reunion
- business meeting
- student visa
- work visa
Things like that are legitimate, so you shouldn’t worry. But if there is an indication of Birth Tourism in someone’s social media or travel plan, the visa may be rejected forever.