U.S. Embassy Warns: Tourist Visas May Be Denied for Birth Tourism

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo has warned that tourist visa applications may be denied if consular officers determine that an applicant’s primary purpose for travelling to the United States is to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.

The U.S. Department of State states that “birth tourism”—travelling to the United States primarily to give birth and secure U.S. citizenship for a child—is not a permitted purpose for a visitor visa.

Under U.S. visa regulations, consular officers are required to deny a B-category visitor visa application when there is reason to believe the applicant’s primary purpose is birth tourism. The policy was formally introduced in January 2020 through an amendment to regulations governing B nonimmigrant visas.

The Department of State has also emphasized that obtaining a U.S. visa does not guarantee admission to the country. Final entry decisions are made by officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at ports of entry.

The warning comes amid continued U.S. scrutiny of visitor visa applications involving purposes that fall outside permitted tourism or other temporary visits.

Applicants are therefore advised to ensure that their stated purpose of travel accurately reflects their intended activities in the United States and complies with applicable visa requirements.