The United States Department of State has reiterated its position that travelling to the US primarily to give birth—commonly known as “birth tourism”—for the purpose of securing American citizenship for a child is not a permissible use of a visitor visa. This clarification carries significant implications for Caribbean nationals, many of whom travel to the US for medical care or to visit family.
According to the US Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), “Visiting temporarily for pleasure does not include travel for the primary purpose of obtaining US citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States.” Consular officers have been instructed to deny visa applications where it is determined that the applicant’s main intent is to give birth while in the country.
The Department has further emphasised that misrepresenting the purpose of travel during the visa application process, or at a port of entry, can result in visa refusal or future ineligibility. Additionally, the use of US government-funded programmes, such as Medicaid, to cover medical expenses related to childbirth may lead to the denial of future visa renewals.
This clarification follows an alert issued in April 2025 by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, which stressed that birth tourism undermines the integrity of the US immigration system. The Department cited past investigations uncovering thousands of instances annually where foreign nationals entered the US on visitor visas with the primary aim of giving birth.
Caribbean nationals are being urged to be honest and forthcoming during their visa interviews and to avoid dealing with individuals or agencies that offer deceptive guarantees of US visas. Any misrepresentation could jeopardise future travel opportunities not only for the applicant but also for their family members.
For accurate and up-to-date information on visa requirements, applicants are encouraged to consult the official website of the US Department of State or to contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
