Kampala, Uganda: The United States Mission in Uganda has warned Ugandans planning to travel to America for the sole purpose of giving birth that such practices, widely known as “birth tourism,” are prohibited under the new US immigration law.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on July 1, 2025, the US Mission said consular officers have been directed to deny visa applications if there is evidence that an applicant intends to travel primarily to secure US citizenship for their newborn.
“Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have US citizenship is not permitted,” the Mission said on Tuesday. “Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”
The Mission explained that many Ugandan parents holding tourist visas have travelled to the United States to deliver children and, in some cases, relied on government assistance to cover the high medical expenses involved.
“These costs are passed on to the American taxpayer,” the Mission added. “Such parents may not be eligible to renew their visas in the future.”
The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny by US immigration authorities, who accuse some foreign visitors of misusing visa categories intended for temporary stays.
“Birth tourism” has increasingly attracted criticism in US policy circles, with officials arguing it undermines immigration integrity and drains public resources.
In June, the US Department of State confirmed that it was considering new travel restrictions for countries with high levels of visa overstays and suspected immigration fraud, including Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Sudan.
The US Mission emphasized that all visa applicants must be fully transparent about the purpose of their travel. Any misrepresentation could result in future ineligibility for US visas.
Despite the warning, thousands of Ugandans continue to seek travel to the US mainly for education, specialized healthcare, and business. Official estimates indicate that more than 30,000 Ugandan immigrants live in America, contributing some of the highest diaspora remittances.
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