Nigeria Joins Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, and Others to Face Stricter US Visa Scrutiny as Government Cracks Down on Birth Tourism: Everything You Need to Know

Published on December 12, 2025

Nigeria joins Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, and others in facing stricter US visa scrutiny as the government cracks down on birth tourism. This move targets travelers seeking US citizenship for their children, a practice known as birth tourism, where foreign nationals travel to the US on tourist visas with the primary intent of giving birth. The US government’s intensified measures are part of an ongoing effort to curb this trend, which has been particularly prevalent in several African nations. As a result, applicants from these countries are now under closer scrutiny when applying for tourist visas, with consular officers carefully assessing the intent behind their travels. This crackdown aims to reduce the number of individuals using tourism visas for birthright citizenship and tighten immigration controls.

Nigeria: Birth Tourism Hub in Africa

Nigeria is one of the most frequently cited African countries involved in birth tourism, with numerous reports highlighting the increasing number of Nigerian women traveling to the US and Canada to give birth. This trend has become well-known, especially in urban areas, where the practice is perceived as a way to secure US or Canadian citizenship for the child, which can offer numerous benefits in terms of education, healthcare, and future opportunities. The US Embassy in Nigeria has responded to this growing trend by tightening visa rules and issuing warnings about the potential for visa rejections, particularly for those suspected of entering the country for birth tourism. Despite these restrictions, many still view this as a viable option to secure a better future for their children.

Ghana: Growing Trend in Urban Areas

In Ghana, birth tourism is becoming increasingly common, especially in major urban centers such as Accra and Kumasi. Research has shown a growing awareness of the practice among the urban populace, with positive feedback from those who have successfully used birth tourism to secure a better future for their children. Social networks and word-of-mouth play a significant role in encouraging others to embark on this journey, particularly as more Ghanaians experience firsthand the advantages of having a child born abroad, especially in the US or Canada. Although the US Embassy in Ghana has implemented stricter visa protocols, the practice continues to thrive, fueled by the desire for enhanced opportunities for the next generation.

South Africa: Strict Scrutiny for Travelers

South Africa, with its substantial volume of B-1/B-2 visa applications to the US, also faces increased scrutiny under US visa policies, particularly regarding birth tourism. As one of the most developed countries in Africa, South Africa sees a variety of travelers heading to the US for business, education, and tourism, and pregnant women are no exception. The US consulate in South Africa has been instructed to assess the intent of all visa applicants, ensuring they are not using tourism visas to give birth in the US. While the scrutiny is high, many South Africans still view birth tourism as a gateway to better opportunities for their children, leading to a persistent demand despite the challenges.

Kenya: A Strategic Birth Destination

Kenya, as one of East Africa’s largest economies, has seen a steady increase in the number of citizens traveling to the US for various purposes, including tourism, business, and education. However, in recent years, a growing number of Kenyan women are also traveling with the intent to give birth, seeking the benefits of US citizenship for their children. The US Embassy in Nairobi has implemented stricter scrutiny for applicants, particularly those who are pregnant or near the end of their pregnancy. This policy aims to curb the rise of birth tourism, but the trend persists, as many Kenyans see it as an opportunity to offer their children a brighter future through access to better resources in the US.

Egypt: Expanding Awareness Across North Africa

While birth tourism is often associated with Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, Egypt is another country that is seeing an uptick in this practice, particularly among citizens with access to substantial financial resources. As a major North African nation with strong ties to the US, Egypt has a consistent flow of tourist visa applications, and the US consulate in Cairo closely monitors these applications, particularly those involving pregnant women. Although birth tourism is not as widely discussed in Egypt as it is in Sub-Saharan Africa, the practice is gaining recognition due to the potential benefits it offers to children born in the US, such as citizenship and the possibility of future opportunities abroad.

Senegal / Cameroon: West Africa Under Scrutiny

The birth tourism crackdown extends across West and Central Africa, with countries like Senegal and Cameroon being significantly affected. Nigeria and Ghana, as the leading countries in the practice, have paved the way for others in the region to follow suit. Many individuals in these nations share the economic and social motivations that drive birth tourism, particularly the desire to secure a better future for their children through US or Canadian citizenship. This regional trend has caught the attention of US consular offices in West and Central Africa, where visa applications are now subject to stricter scrutiny, especially for those traveling near the end of their pregnancies. As a result, applicants from Senegal, Cameroon, and neighboring countries are increasingly facing challenges in obtaining visas for birth tourism.

Key Aspects of the Birth Tourism Crackdown

The U.S. government has intensified its crackdown on birth tourism, focusing on foreign nationals traveling on tourist visas to give birth and secure U.S. citizenship for their child. Tourist visa applications will be denied if birth tourism is suspected. Consular officers are now required to scrutinize applicants’ intentions more carefully. If traveling for medical purposes, the applicant must justify the need and demonstrate the financial ability to cover medical costs. This crackdown is part of broader immigration reforms, with criminal charges often brought against those operating or participating in birth tourism schemes.

Nigeria joins Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, and others in facing stricter US visa scrutiny as the government cracks down on birth tourism. This move targets travelers seeking US citizenship for their children.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s inclusion in the group of nations like Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, and others now facing stricter US visa scrutiny reflects the US government’s continued efforts to crack down on birth tourism. This crackdown is driven by the growing trend of foreign nationals traveling to the US to secure US citizenship for their children through birth, a practice that has raised concerns about immigration policies. With these stricter visa rules, the US aims to reduce the increasing number of applicants seeking to use the US as a destination for birth tourism. The heightened scrutiny will impact various African nations, as governments continue to tighten visa applications and assess the true intent behind travelers’ visits.