Planning to give birth in the U.S? Think again

If you’re considering travelling to the United States with the intent to give birth and secure automatic U.S. citizenship for your child, you may want to rethink your plans. The U.S. government has made it clear: anyone applying for a visa with the primary intention of giving birth in the country could face a visa denial.

This stance is part of the U.S. administration's ongoing effort to crack down on "birth tourism"—a practice where foreign nationals travel to the U.S. solely to deliver their babies so the child can obtain U.S. citizenship.

“We will deny your visa if we believe your primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the U.S.,” the government warns.

Birth tourism refers to travelling to the United States while pregnant, not for vacation, business, or medical reasons, but with the primary goal of delivering a baby who will automatically acquire U.S. citizenship under the 14th Amendment.

While giving birth in the U.S. is not illegal, misrepresenting the purpose of your visit on a visa application is considered fraud, and that’s where legal trouble begins.

U.S. immigration officials are increasingly vetting applications, especially tourist visas (B-1/B-2), for signs that an applicant might intend to give birth during their stay.

If you're pregnant and applying for a U.S. visa:

Be transparent about your travel plans.

Expect increased scrutiny, especially if you're visibly pregnant during your interview.

If your travel is for medical reasons, you must provide proof of financial capability and intent to return after the procedure.

If the visa officer suspects birth tourism, your visa will likely be denied on the spot.

While U.S. law does not explicitly ban foreign nationals from giving birth in the country, immigration authorities are actively working to discourage the practice of traveling solely for childbirth. Applicants must demonstrate that their travel is temporary, well-funded, and not aimed at exploiting the birthright citizenship clause.

Whether you're planning a family visit or a short vacation, it's crucial to be honest, prepared, and aware of the increased visa scrutiny around pregnancy related travel.