US to deny tourists visa applications aimed at 'giving birth to secure citizenship'
World
The US has the world's largest Indian diaspora, according to Indian government including around 2.1 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The United States' embassy in India has said that it will deny tourist visa applications if its consular officers believe that it is primarily aimed at giving birth in the country to secure US citizenship for a child.
"This is not permitted," the US embassy in New Delhi said in a post on X.
The move, as reported by the Gulf News, adds to uncertainty for Indian visa holders which have so far caused unease among professionals accounting for over 70% H-1B approvals and nearly 90% H-4 visas with work authorisation.
The US embassy in India has rescheduled visa interviews with some applicants given fresh appointment dates extending to mid-2026.
The Trump administration, back in September, proposed that would rework the H-1B visa selection process to favour higher-skilled and better-paid workers, according to a related Federal Register notice, a move that follows a White House proclamation on Friday introducing a $100,000 fee for the visas.
U.S. consular officers will deny tourist visa applications if they believe the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child. This is not permitted. pic.twitter.com/Xyq4lkK6V8
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 11, 2025
The new process, if finalised, would give heavier weight to applications by employers who pay high wages if annual requests for the visas exceed the statutory limit of 85,000, the notice said.
The move aims to better protect Americans from unfair wage competition from foreign workers, it said.
President Trump, a Republican, sought to reshape the H-1B process during his 2017-2021 presidency, but was stymied by federal courts and limited time at the end of his presidency.
Tighter US immigration policies, particularly for the H-1B skilled-worker visa, are making families in India less inclined to marry their children to Indian citizens based in the US for fear the potential partners might lose their job or immigration status, according to matchmakers, academics and prospective brides and grooms.
There is no official government data on marriages between Indian citizens living at home and overseas.
The US has the world's largest Indian diaspora, according to Indian government including around 2.1 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
