The United States Mission in Nigeria issued a warning on Monday, stating that visa applicants whose primary purpose for travel is to give birth in the U.S. to secure citizenship for their child will be denied entry.
The caution was shared via a post on the official @USinNigeria X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The Mission explicitly stated that “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,” adding the hashtags #VisaWiseTravelSmart and #USVisa.
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However, despite stricter US immigration policies, a number of countries continue to uphold unrestricted birthright citizenship, automatically granting nationality to anyone born on their soil regardless of their parents’ citizenship or legal status.
Here are six countries that welcome “citizen by birth” for Nigerians:
- Canada: Grants automatic citizenship to any child born within its borders.3 While the child becomes an immediate citizen, foreign parents must pursue a separate immigration process, often through family reunification. Canada’s passport is ranked among the top 10 most powerful globally.
- Mexico: Maintains unrestricted birthright citizenship, with the only exception being children of foreign diplomats. All other individuals born on Mexican territory are legally entitled to citizenship.
- Brazil: All children born in Brazil are constitutionally guaranteed citizenship. Parents can apply for residency, becoming eligible for naturalization after just one year. The Brazilian passport is ranked among the top 20 globally.
- 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 worldwide. The Argentine passport also ranks among the top 20 globally.
- Peru: Offers unrestricted jus soli, granting citizenship to any child born in the country, irrespective of their parents’ immigration status. While the child gains citizenship at birth, foreign parents can apply for residency and subsequently seek naturalization. Peru’s passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 130 countries, including most of Latin America and parts of Europe.
- 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 plus seven years of residency). Despite a longer process, Costa Rica remains an appealing option due to its stable legal framework and peaceful environment.
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