US Embassy in Dhaka Warns Against B1/B2 Visa Misuse

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka warned on September 5, 2026, that a B1/B2 visitor visa cannot be used for birth tourism, paid work, or formal study for academic credit. It posted the warning on its verified Facebook page.

The embassy stated the visa is strictly for temporary travel purposes like tourism, short business trips, vacations, and medical treatment. It is not for giving birth in the United States to secure citizenship for a child. The visa category also cannot be used for working for an American employer or business.

The advisory explicitly closed another loophole, prohibiting visa holders from using the status for classes that count toward academic credit. This warning aligns with a broader policy drive from Washington.

Policy Context and Presidential Action

On August 6, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed the presidential action titled Ending Birth Tourism. The order defines the practice as entering the United States on a nonimmigrant visa to give birth, or helping another foreign national do so.

The order grants the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security broad authority. They may deny visas, revoke visas or travel authorization, permanently bar entry, remove people who engaged in the practice, and target entities that help it.

A Coordinated Enforcement Campaign

On August 12, 2026, the State Department announced a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force to help implement the policy. The task force said it had already revoked more than 600 visas.

The department stated consular officers and federal agencies would review visa holders worldwide. They would act against individuals involved in birth tourism and the networks that assist them.

Embassy advisories in locations like Colombo have used similar language. Those notices said tourist visa applications would be denied if the main purpose of the trip was to give birth in the United States for citizenship purposes. This pattern indicates Dhaka's warning is part of a coordinated campaign across the U.S. Diplomatic network.

Narrowing the Visitor Visa Category

B1 visas cover temporary business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits, and medical treatment. The embassy's warning draws a firm line between those intended uses and trips organized around childbirth or employment.

The notice supports the administration's stated goal of stopping people from using nonimmigrant visas to secure U.S. Citizenship for a newborn. Washington has paired this effort with public warnings, task force action, and visa revocations.

The State Department said the task force would continue reviewing visa holders and the groups that assist them. The embassy in Dhaka made clear that the same strict limits apply to unauthorized work and study. The warning was posted the same day it was issued, as the broader enforcement campaign continues through the visa system.