US Restricts Visas for Birth Tourism Networks and Facilitators
The State Department announced new visa restrictions targeting commercial birth-tourism operations and individuals who knowingly facilitate them. The policy targets network operators, visa brokers, and medical providers involved in arranging births on US soil for citizenship purposes.
On September 23, 2026, the State Department announced restrictions targeting foreign commercial birth tourism networks that have exploited the US immigration system by advertising and coaching foreign nationals to lie on visa applications and collect tens of thousands of dollars to arrange births on American soil for citizenship purposes.
The policy applies to owners, operators and managers of birth-tourism networks; visa "fixers" who coach applicants to commit visa fraud; foreign medical providers accused of knowingly facilitating such travel; and others who support commercial arrangements intended to secure U.S. citizenship for children born in the country.
What This Means for Travelers
The announcement does not introduce a blanket visa ban for pregnant travellers or ordinary international visitors, but adds another layer to the U.S. government's existing efforts to prevent people from using visitor visas primarily to travel to America to give birth for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship. Pregnant women can still apply for a US visa if they meet visa requirements and clearly explain their travel purpose, though the policy focuses on commercial birth tourism operators and facilitators, not all pregnant visitors.
For expats and visitors planning US travel, the key takeaway is straightforward: be honest about your travel purpose on visa applications. The restrictions target organized networks and deceptive practices—not legitimate travelers or pregnant visitors. If you're planning legitimate travel to the US while pregnant, provide accurate information to consular officers during your visa interview.
Sources
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