Ugandans using tourist visas to give birth in US face ban
The United States government has issued a stern warning to Ugandan citizens seeking to exploit tourist visas to travel to give birth on American soil, a practice commonly referred to as “birth tourism.”
In an advisory on Saturday, July 5, 2025, the U.S. made it clear that using a non-immigrant visa with the primary intent of giving birth in the U.S. so that a child automatically obtains American citizenship is not permitted under U.S. immigration laws.
“Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent,” read the advisory.
The U.S. Embassy highlighted growing concerns about a rising number of Ugandan parents engaging in birth tourism.
The embassy has warned that such actions not only burden American taxpayers but may also lead to long-term immigration consequences.
“Many Ugandan parents with tourist visas travel to the United States for the purpose of giving birth, and they use government assistance to pay for their medical care. These costs are passed on to the American taxpayer, and those parents may not be eligible to renew their visas in the future,” read the statement.
United States
The U.S. grants automatic citizenship to children born on its soil, but officials have consistently maintained that using this provision as a loophole for immigration benefits, especially when tied to deceptive visa applications, violates the spirit and letter of immigration laws.
This directive comes amid recent reports that Uganda is among 36 countries that could soon face new US travel restrictions.
Reports indicate that the draft list includes 26 African countries as well as nations from the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
African countries include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
According to the Donald Trump administration, the countries are failing to meet certain key standards, including having reliable government systems and proper civil documentation.
