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New Delhi: The United States has issued a clear warning to travellers from India who attempt to misuse tourist visas to secure citizenship for their future children. The US embassy has said it will not accept visa applications if officers suspect the applicant plans to travel primarily to give birth in the country.
In a post on X, the embassy said that "US 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 US citizenship for the child. This is not permitted."
The advisory comes as the US government tightens scrutiny across multiple visa categories. The embassy confirmed that online and social-media background checks—already conducted for student visa applicants in the F, M, and J categories—will now be extended to H-1B speciality workers and their H-4 dependent spouses starting December 15.
The update follows emails received by several applicants in India informing them that their visa interview dates had been rescheduled. The embassy described the expanded screening as part of routine security assessments.
A US embassy spokesperson explained that the Department of State has long reviewed online activity for certain visa groups and will now apply the same process to H-1B and H-4 applicants. This shift comes in the backdrop of the Trump administration’s policy mandating social-media screening for these categories, a move that has introduced additional uncertainty for many Indian professionals and their families.
Reiterating the US government’s stance on security vetting, the embassy said, "In every visa case, we will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the United States and that he or she has credibly established his or her eligibility for the visa sought, including that the applicant intends to engage in activities consistent with the terms of admission."
