As immigration policies tighten in various parts of the world, especially the United States, many Nigerians are now looking elsewhere for better opportunities for their children, particularly in countries that grant automatic citizenship by birth. This legal concept, known as jus soli (right of the soil), allows any child born within a country’s territory to receive citizenship regardless of the parents’ nationality or immigration status.
Below are the top six countries granting Nigerians automatic citizenship by birth, which are worth exploring and the benefits they offer.
1. Mexico
Mexico stands out as one of the most favourable countries offering automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians.
The Mexican Constitution (Article 30) enshrines unrestricted jus soli, meaning any child born on Mexican soil automatically qualifies for citizenship, except children born to foreign diplomats. This provision ensures that Nigerian families who welcome a baby in Mexico immediately secure a powerful passport and a lifetime of opportunities for their child.
Additionally, no residency or visa requirement is required for parents at the time of birth. Children born in Mexico automatically become Mexican citizens and are entitled to full rights, including free public education and healthcare.
Additionally, it enables parents to apply for temporary or permanent residency, particularly after demonstrating integration into Mexican society.
What Makes Mexico Special:
- The Mexican passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 160 countries, including the Schengen Zone, the United Kingdom, and much of South America.
- Mexico’s healthcare system is affordable and well-equipped, with many private hospitals offering maternity packages far cheaper than those in the U.S. or Europe.
- Lower cost of living and no language restriction for citizenship (though learning Spanish aids faster integration).
- A welcoming culture, an increased African diaspora presence, and streamlined residency processes for parents.
2. Canada
Canada remains one of the world’s most generous nations when it comes to automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians and other foreign nationals. Under the Canadian Citizenship Act, any child born in Canada is automatically a Canadian citizen, regardless of the parents’ immigration status or nationality. However, for the parents to gain citizenship, they have to apply through available immigration streams such as family sponsorship, permanent Residency (Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program), student or work permits, leading to PR.
What Makes Canada Special:
- Canada ranks #7 globally on the Henley Passport Index, offering your child, who is a citizen by birth, access to over 180 countries visa-free.
- World-class public healthcare and education systems ensure a high standard of living for Canadian-born children.
- A strong and growing Nigerian community, particularly in Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, and Vancouver, helps families settle with ease.
- Canada is known for its political stability, multiculturalism, and legal transparency, making it one of the safest and most forward-thinking nations to raise children.
3. Brazil
Brazil offers unconditional automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians, and this is due to its Constitution’s inclusive policies. The constitution spells out that every child born in Brazil is entitled to Brazilian nationality, regardless of their parents’ legal status. One of the benefits you stand to gain as a Nigerian family is that your child receives full citizenship rights at birth.
Also, you, as the parents, may apply for permanent residency. Also, you will be eligible to apply for Brazilian citizenship after a year of legal residence. However, you meet all the required integration criteria (e.g., Portuguese language skills).
What Makes Brazil Special:
- The Brazilian passport grants access to over 170 countries, including the EU Schengen Area, the UK, Japan, and much of South America.
- Brazil’s diverse population, including a visible and growing African diaspora, makes it culturally welcoming for Nigerians.
- The cost of maternity care is reasonable, and some public hospitals offer free childbirth services even for foreigners.
- Brazil supports dual citizenship, which allows your Nigerian-born children to retain both nationalities.
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4. Peru
Peru is another South American country that maintains a strong jus soli principle that allows automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians, regardless of the immigration status of the parents.
After the child is born, the parents, regardless of their nationality, can apply for temporary or permanent residency. Following a multi-year residency, parents can seek Peruvian citizenship by naturalisation, often requiring Spanish proficiency and civic integration. Additionally, Peru offers streamlined processes for parents of Peruvian citizens.
What Makes Peru Special:
- The Peruvian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 130 countries, including most of Latin America, parts of Europe, and Southeast Asia.
- Peru offers a rich cultural experience, affordable healthcare, and a relatively low cost of living.
- Cities like Lima and Cusco have modern medical facilities with services tailored to international patients.
5. Argentina
Argentina has one of the world’s most progressive jus soli policies, granting automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians and other foreigners. No special conditions or legal statuses are required from the parents for the child to qualify. Additionally, it offers opportunities for Nigerian parents to apply for permanent residency after childbirth.
Within one year of legal residence, parents become eligible to apply for Argentine citizenship, making Argentina one of the fastest routes to citizenship for foreign parents globally. The beauty of this is that the process is straightforward and relatively affordable.
What Makes Argentina Special:
- The Argentine passport ranks highly and grants the child who is now a citizen visa-free access to 170+ countries, including Europe, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
- High literacy rate, free education, and universal healthcare make it ideal for raising children.
- Argentina has a vibrant cultural life, and cities like Buenos Aires offer excellent infrastructure for expat families.
- Dual citizenship is allowed so that Nigerian families can hold both nationalities without conflict.
6. Costa Rica
Costa Rica, a Central American country celebrated for its political neutrality and eco-friendly culture, is also one of the top countries that offers automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians and other foreigners. As long as the child is born within its territory, they are granted full Costa Rican nationality under the law.
Additionally, the Nigerian parents can apply for residency after three years of their child’s birth, and pursue naturalisation after an additional seven years of legal residency, making it a 10-year path to citizenship. Additionally, during this time, they enjoy many of the rights afforded to permanent residents, including access to healthcare and education.
What makes Costa Rica Special:
- The Costa Rican passport grants visa-free access to over 150 countries, and this includes the EU, UK, and most of the Americas.
- Costa Rica is internationally recognised for its peaceful society, stable democracy, and strong environmental policies.
- Maternity healthcare is both affordable and high-quality, especially in cities like San José.
- Costa Rica supports dual citizenship, and the legal system ensures fair treatment for immigrants and their children.
READ MORE: UK Makes eVisas Compulsory for International Students and Foreign Workers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Which European country gives citizenship by birth?
Most European countries do not offer automatic citizenship by birth (jus soli) unless specific conditions are met, such as the legal residency or nationality status of the parents. However, Portugal is one exception. A child born in Portugal to foreign parents can qualify for citizenship if at least one parent has been a legal resident in Portugal for one year before the child’s birth. Countries like France and Germany also allow for birthright citizenship, but with more complex eligibility rules.
Q2: Does Canada offer citizenship by birth?
Yes. Canada is one of the most popular destinations that offers automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians and other foreigners. Any child born on Canadian soil, regardless of the parents’ immigration status, is granted Canadian citizenship under jus soli. Parents, however, must go through separate immigration processes if they wish to remain in the country.
Q3: Which country is the best to give birth in as a foreigner?
The best country to give birth in as a foreigner depends on your goals. If you want automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians, countries like Mexico, Canada, and Brazil are top contenders. They offer birthright citizenship and future pathways to residency or citizenship for the parents. Canada offers better social systems and a powerful passport, while Mexico and Brazil have simpler residency paths for foreign parents.
Q4: Is the United States still granting automatic citizenship by birth?
Yes, under the 14th Amendment, children born on U.S. soil are citizens. However, as recently highlighted by the United States Mission in Nigeria, any visa applicant found to be travelling primarily to give birth will be denied a visa. The U.S. actively discourages birth tourism, and applicants should expect increased scrutiny.
READ MORE: Top 8 Easiest Countries to Get a Work Visa from Nigeria
With the recent clampdown on birth tourism by the United States, Nigerians looking to secure a global future for their children should consider countries that still respect and uphold automatic citizenship by birth. Nations like Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Costa Rica provide legal pathways not just for the children, but often for their parents as well.
Choosing a country that offers automatic citizenship by birth for Nigerians is a powerful step toward securing global mobility, access to quality education and healthcare, and a brighter future for the next generation.
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