The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a stern warning to visa applicants, stating that individuals intending to travel solely to give birth on American soil will have their visa applications denied.
This disclosure was made during a recent visa information session organized by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos to educate Nigerians on responsible travel and visa eligibility. The Consulate emphasized that the U.S. government does not recognize “birth tourism” as a valid reason for granting visas, especially when the intent is to secure citizenship for the child without meeting other travel requirements.
According to the Mission, “Traveling to the United States purely for the purpose of childbirth does not qualify as legitimate travel under U.S. immigration laws. Applicants must demonstrate strong ties to Nigeria and valid reasons for travel.”
The consulate further warned that misrepresentation or concealment of the true intent of travel during the visa application process could lead to visa denial, revocation, or even a permanent ban from entry into the United States.
This clarification comes amid rising cases of Nigerians applying for B1/B2 visas with the hidden motive of giving birth in the U.S. to obtain citizenship for their newborns—a trend the U.S. State Department has been actively monitoring and discouraging.
The U.S. Mission urged prospective travelers to be truthful, transparent, and well-prepared during their visa interviews, adding that every application is assessed on individual merit, and dishonesty will only worsen chances of approval.