New Delhi (TDI): The US Embassy in India has announced that it will refuse tourist visa applications if consular officers believe the primary intention is to give birth in the United States in order to secure American citizenship for the child.
In a statement, the embassy said such applications “are not permitted,” signalling a firmer stance toward what is often described as “birth tourism.”
The update comes at a time when Indian applicants are already facing uncertainty. Indian professionals receive more than 70% of all H-1B approvals and nearly 90% of H-4 work authorisations, yet many have recently experienced disruptions. Some applicants have had their visa interviews postponed, with new appointments pushed as far out as mid-2026.
Immigration concerns have grown under the Trump administration, which earlier proposed changes to the H-1B visa selection system, favouring higher-paid, higher-skilled workers. A Federal Register notice outlined plans to give greater weight to applications offering higher wages when demand exceeds the annual cap of 85,000. The White House also floated a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas as part of its broader immigration overhaul.
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Supporters of the revised system argue it would shield American workers from wage competition posed by foreign labour. President Trump attempted a similar overhaul during his previous term (2017–2021), but legal challenges and time constraints limited progress.
Stricter US immigration rules, especially around H-1B visas, are influencing social patterns in India as well. Matchmakers and academics report that families are increasingly hesitant to arrange marriages for their children with Indian citizens living in the US, fearing future instability in jobs or immigration status.
The United States hosts the world’s largest Indian diaspora, with around 2.1 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Indian men made up roughly 75% of the H-1B visas issued to Indian nationals last year, according to USCIS data.
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The tightening of US immigration pathways has also affected student trends. More than 422,000 Indian students were enrolled in US institutions in 2024, but many are now rethinking long-held aspirations associated with the “American Dream.”
