The United States Mission in Nigeria on Monday, warned that any visa applicant found to be travelling primarily to give birth in the U.S. to secure citizenship for their child will be denied entry.
The warning was issued in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) via the official handle @USinNigeria.
The mission stressed that consular officers will deny visa applications if they suspect the applicant’s primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States.
“Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have U.S. citizenship is not permitted. Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent,” the post stated, tagging it with hashtags #VisaWiseTravelSmart and #USVisa.
However, as US immigration policies become more strict, a number of countries still uphold unrestricted birthright citizenship, granting automatic nationality to anyone born on their soil, regardless of parental citizenship or legal status.
Here are six countries welcoming citizen by birth for Nigerians.
1. Canada
Canada grants automatic citizenship to any child born within its borders. While the child is immediately recognized as a citizen, foreign parents must go through a separate immigration process to gain citizenship, typically through family reunification.
Canada’s passport ranks among the top 10 most powerful in the world.
Canada grants automatic citizenship to any child born within its borders. While the child is immediately recognized as a citizen, foreign parents must go through a separate immigration process to gain citizenship, typically through family reunification.
Canada’s passport ranks among the top 10 most powerful in the world.
2. Mexico
Mexico maintains unrestricted birthright citizenship, excluding only children of foreign diplomats. All others born on Mexican territory are entitled to citizenship by law.
3. Brazil
In Brazil, all children born in the country are constitutionally guaranteed citizenship.
Parents are allowed to apply for residency, and can proceed to naturalization after just one year.
4. Argentina
Argentina provides automatic citizenship to any child born within its borders.
Foreign parents can apply for citizenship after only one year of residence, making it one of the most lenient systems in the world.
The Argentine passport also ranks among the top 20 globally.
5. Peru
Peru offers unrestricted jus soli, granting citizenship to any child born in the country, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
While the child becomes a citizen at birth, foreign parents can apply for residency and later seek naturalization.
Peru’s passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 130 countries, including most of Latin America and parts of Europe.
6. Costa Rica
Children born in Costa Rica automatically receive citizenship.
Parents can apply for residency after three years and may seek naturalization after a total of ten years (three years before application + seven years of residency).
Though the process is longer, the country remains an attractive option due to its stable legal framework and peaceful environment.
(Courtesy: thenationonlineng)
