US introduces fresh visa curbs on birth tourism operators

The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals and businesses involved in commercial “birth tourism” schemes designed to help foreign nationals give birth in the country and obtain U.S. citizenship for their children, Vanguard reported. 

The policy, announced on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, is implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and applies to people who knowingly engage in or facilitate commercial birth tourism.

Those targeted include owners, operators and managers of birth tourism networks, visa “fixers” who coach applicants to commit fraud, and foreign medical providers who knowingly facilitate such travel or fraudulent use of the U.S. Medicaid system. Certain family members of those covered may face the same restrictions.

The Department of State already says birth tourism is not a permissible purpose for a visitor visa. The announcement therefore adds a specific measure against facilitators rather than changing that existing rule.