The United States has tightened its visa rules to stop foreigners from entering the country just to give birth and get American citizenship for their babies.
The U.S. Department of State said people applying for visitor visas (B-1/B-2) may be denied if officers believe the main reason for travel is to deliver a child in the U.S.
According to a 2020 rule, if a consular officer reasonably believes a pregnant woman plans to give birth while in the U.S., they will assume her main aim is to get citizenship for the child. That assumption can only be reversed if the woman proves she is coming for another valid reason, like urgent medical care that’s not available in her home country.
In an updated warning released in mid-2025, the U.S. government reminded consular officers around the world that the rule remains in force.
Anyone caught trying to travel for birth tourism risks losing their visa, being banned from future U.S. travel, or having their visa application denied.
