By Esohe Aifuwa
U.S. Tightens Visa Rules to Curb Nigerian Birth Tourism
Nigerian travelers hoping to visit the United States to give birth and secure American citizenship for their children face tougher restrictions, according to a recent statement from the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.
The information which was posted on its official X account, the mission warned that U.S. immigration laws prohibit using visas for the sole purpose of childbirth to gain citizenship for a child, while noting that Visa officers are now more vigilant and may reject applications if they suspect the traveler’s main intent is birth tourism.
This crackdown targets the practice known as birth tourism, where pregnant women travel to the U.S. to deliver their babies, who then automatically become U.S. citizens.
The U.S. Mission’s alert comes as part of a broader effort to strengthen immigration controls and prevent misuse of the visa system.