Business Desk 
Dec 12, 2025
The United States issued a fresh warning for Indian travellers as visa policies tighten under President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday.
The US embassy in India said it will deny tourist visa applications if consular officers believe the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the US so a child can obtain American citizenship.
The embassy stated that this practice, often referred to as birth tourism, “is not permitted”, adding new uncertainty for India’s large pool of visa applicants.
The situation arises as there are thousands of rescheduled visa interviews, with some individuals scheduling interviews as far as mid-2026.
Despite these setbacks, Indians continue to form the biggest demographic among holders of H-1B and H-4 visas.
As per reports emerging in Gulf News, there seems to be a tougher approach from the Trump administration, which previously recommended an extensive overhaul of the H-1B skilled worker visa programme.
Reportedly, under the new rule, petitions with higher salaries would be given priority consideration if an annual level exceeds 85,000. This appears targeted at safeguarding American labour against “unfair wage competition”.
The government also introduced a new $100,000 application fee for H-1B petitions, significantly increasing expenses for businesses.
These developments are transforming the migration pattern among Indians. Visa issues are increasingly becoming a factor in marrying an American, as parents have become apprehensive about pairing their children with Indian nationals living in the US with uncertain employment or visa status.
Students are also reassessing their plans for the long term, with India facing tough competition from the US, which currently boasts more than 422,000 Indian students in 2024.
Moreover, the US remains home to the world's largest Indian diaspora community, with 2.1 million NRIs. It’s evident that there is a paradigm shift taking place within the US immigration scene because of these new regulations and waiting lists for appointments.
