US Embassy warns: 'Birth tourism' visas denied, H-1B checks increase

• US will deny tourist visas (B-1/B-2) if the primary purpose is to give birth in the US for citizenship.
• "Birth tourism" is deemed a misuse of the visitor category and is not allowed under US immigration rules.
• This policy reinforces a 2020 regulation allowing officers to deny applications based on the stated purpose of travel.
• The US is also tightening screening protocols for other visa categories, including H-1B, H-4, and the Visa Waiver Program.
• New measures include H-1B/H-4 applicants providing online account access and potential collection of 5 years of social media history for Visa Waiver travelers.

Why It Matters: US visa policy changes will significantly impact Indian travelers and immigration.