The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a stern warning to visa applicants, stating that those found to be traveling to the U.S. primarily to give birth and secure American citizenship for their children will be denied entry.
The announcement, made on Monday, July 28, 2025, aims to curb the practice of "birth tourism" among Nigerian applicants seeking U.S. visas.
In a statement posted on its official website, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja emphasized that visa officers are now intensifying scrutiny of applicants’ intentions during the visa interview process.
“Applicants whose primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child will be found ineligible for a visa,” the statement read.
This policy aligns with U.S. immigration laws, which prioritize genuine travel purposes such as tourism, business, or medical treatment for legitimate health concerns.
The U.S. Mission clarified that while medical treatment remains a valid reason for travel, applicants must provide credible evidence of their medical needs and financial capacity to cover associated costs.
Pregnant women seeking visas are now required to demonstrate that their travel is not solely motivated by the desire to secure U.S. citizenship for their unborn child.
Failure to provide satisfactory proof may result in visa denial or entry refusal at U.S. ports.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over birth tourism, a practice where individuals travel to the U.S. to give birth, leveraging the country’s jus soli (right of soil) policy, which grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. territory.
The U.S. government has increasingly cracked down on this practice, with stricter visa regulations introduced in recent years.
The U.S. Embassy urged applicants to be transparent during interviews and provide accurate documentation to avoid penalties, including potential bans from future visa applications.
“Honesty is critical in the visa process. Misrepresentation of travel intentions will have serious consequences,” the statement concluded.
Nigerian applicants are advised to consult the U.S. Embassy website for updated visa guidelines to ensure compliance.
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