Passport for a newborn: Birth tourism as part of Russia's new emigration

Following the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine and the subsequent wave of emigration, one notable trend has been the rise of so-called "birth tourism".

Thousands of Russian women, unwilling to tie their children's future to a country that started a war and concerned about Russia's growing isolation, began looking for opportunities to give birth abroad.

The main goal is not only to access quality healthcare, but also to obtain a second citizenship for the newborn, which can potentially open the way for the entire family to emigrate, study, work and travel freely around the world.

Countries that apply the principle of jus soli ("right of the soil"), under which citizenship is granted to every child born on the country's territory regardless of their parents' citizenship, have become particularly popular.

However, the growing number of such trips has already prompted several countries to reconsider their policies due to an "influx of applicants".

Argentina: From dreams of a new passport to tighter rules

Argentina became the most popular destination for Russian women after 2022. The country offered a unique combination of advantages: visa-free entry for Russians, relatively affordable healthcare, automatic citizenship for the child, and the possibility for parents to eventually obtain Argentine documents.

For many families, the main attraction was not only the newborn's passport, but also a broader range of related benefits. A child born in Argentina automatically became an Argentine citizen and received all the rights provided by law, including access to state social programmes and child benefits. Parents could apply for permanent residency and later for citizenship.

Obtaining residency status made it possible to legally live and work in the country, run a business and enjoy most of the rights available to permanent residents. Another advantage was the possibility of subsequently legalising the status of other family members through family reunification and naturalisation procedures.

The Argentine passport itself was also a significant advantage, providing broad visa-free access around the world. Russians were not required to give up their Russian citizenship. The absence of compulsory military service in Argentina was another factor.

Birth tourism agencies actively promoted this combination of benefits in their advertising. Potential clients were offered not simply assistance with arranging childbirth abroad, but effectively a ready-made emigration pathway for the entire family, with agencies promising help with paperwork, obtaining residency and eventually securing citizenship.

According to Argentine authorities, around 10,500 pregnant Russian women arrived in the country in 2022 alone. Many arrived shortly before giving birth and left the country soon after obtaining documents for their child. Authorities estimated that around 7,000 of these women left Argentina almost immediately.

According to The Wall Street Journal, by mid-2024, the total number of Russians who had moved to the country since the start of the war had reached around 75,000, with several neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires already forming a "Little Russia".

Argentine authorities eventually began openly raising concerns about abuses of the immigration system. Agencies selling Russians comprehensive service packages — including arrangements for childbirth, assistance with paperwork and support in obtaining citizenship — came under investigation. Advertising materials often emphasised that having a child in Argentina could be the fastest way to obtain a second passport and lay the groundwork for the entire family to relocate.

After President Javier Milei came to power, the rules were significantly tightened. Parents of a child born in Argentina can no longer use their child's birth as a fast-track route to obtaining citizenship themselves. Naturalisation now requires at least two years of legal residence in the country. At the same time, access to free healthcare was restricted for foreigners without legal status, and additional requirements were introduced for people entering the country.

The impact was significant: while Russians submitted more than 7,000 applications for residence permits in Argentina in 2023, by mid-2025 the number of such applications had fallen to fewer than 2,000.

Brazil becomes the new magnet

As the Argentine route closed, Russian families, particularly in 2026, shifted their attention to Brazil. According to Deutsche Welle, the number of Russians travelling to Brazil increased significantly after Argentina tightened its migration rules.

The Brazilian passport is considered one of the "strongest" in the world: it allows visa-free travel to 161 countries, including countries in the Schengen area and the United Kingdom, and also allows holders to apply for a US visa valid for up to 10 years.

A child born in Brazil automatically receives Brazilian citizenship and a birth certificate. At the same time, the child can also obtain their parents' citizenship through the relevant consulate, becoming a holder of two passports.

Older children in the family can obtain Brazilian citizenship through a simplified procedure within their first year of residence in the country. This opportunity is unique to Brazil.

The newborn's parents, as well as their grandparents, are entitled to a residence permit with the possibility of later naturalisation. For parents, one year of residence in the country and proof of Portuguese language proficiency are sufficient to obtain citizenship, while grandparents must live in Brazil for four years.

For many Russian families, Brazil is becoming more than just a place to give birth; it is part of a long-term emigration strategy. Statistics also reflect this trend: 477 Russians obtained Brazilian citizenship in 2024, rising to 613 in 2025. More than half of the new citizens were women.

Chile, the US, Canada and other destinations: What attracts Russian women

In addition to Argentina and Brazil, Russian families are considering a range of other countries where having a child can offer additional immigration advantages. The choice depends not only on the possibility of obtaining citizenship, but also on the quality of healthcare, the cost of services, how quickly documents can be processed and the prospects for the family to subsequently obtain legal status.

Chile holds a particularly prominent place among these countries. It has long been considered one of the most attractive destinations for birth tourism in Latin America. A child born in Chile receives citizenship, while the parents can benefit from simplified procedures to legalise their stay. The Chilean passport is also considered one of the strongest in the region and provides visa-free access to a significant number of countries around the world.

Another advantage of Chile is its well-developed healthcare system. Private clinics in Santiago and other major cities are often compared with medical centres in the United States and Western Europe in terms of their facilities and quality of care. At the same time, the cost of pregnancy care and childbirth is generally significantly lower than in the US.

It is this combination of high-quality healthcare, political stability and relatively moderate costs that makes Chile an attractive alternative for families who are not prepared to pay US prices but want a comparable standard of care.

The United States has also remained a popular destination and is perhaps the best-known destination for birth tourism in the world. Under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, a child born on US territory automatically receives American citizenship regardless of their parents' status.

However, the cost of this option is significantly higher than in Latin American countries. The total cost of childbirth, accommodation, insurance and legal assistance can run into tens of thousands of dollars.

In recent years, US authorities have also stepped up efforts to combat organised birth tourism, paying increased attention to cases in which foreign nationals use tourist visas solely for the purpose of giving birth in the country.

A similar principle applies in Canada, where a child also automatically receives citizenship by virtue of being born in the country. Canada is chosen for its high level of safety, well-developed healthcare system and reputation as a country with a strong social welfare system. However, the financial costs are also relatively high, while waiting times for some medical services can be longer than at private clinics in Latin American countries.

Among the less obvious but increasingly popular destinations is Mexico. The country grants citizenship to children born on its territory, while its geographical proximity to the United States makes it attractive to those seeking a second passport for their child at a more moderate cost. In addition, the cost of medical services at private clinics in Mexico is often significantly lower than in North America.

For wealthier families, Switzerland remains another option. Unlike countries in the Americas, it does not grant citizenship by birth, but is considered one of the world's leaders in the quality of maternity care. Giving birth there is therefore seen more as a premium medical service than as a means of obtaining a second passport.

How countries are tackling "birth tourism"

Many countries have previously faced an influx of foreigners travelling specifically to obtain citizenship for their children.

Ending automatic citizenship

The most radical approach has been to end unconditional birthright citizenship.

Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have taken this approach. In Ireland, following a 2004 referendum, a child no longer automatically receives citizenship solely on the basis of being born in the country. Today, in most such cases, at least one parent must be a citizen of the country or have the right to permanent residence.

The United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand previously adopted a similar approach.

Restricting benefits for parents

Against this backdrop, Argentina has taken a less restrictive approach. Children still receive citizenship, but authorities have removed parents' ability to quickly obtain their own documents on the basis of their child's birth. This measure has significantly reduced the popularity of Argentina as a birth tourism destination.

Visa restrictions

The US has retained birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the Constitution, but has begun tackling birth tourism through other means.

Since 2020, US consular officers have been able to refuse tourist visas if they believe the primary purpose of a trip is to give birth in the country in order to obtain US citizenship for the child.

In recent years, authorities have also stepped up action against intermediaries and begun revoking visas on a large scale for people involved in such schemes.

Checks at borders and maternity hospitals

Hong Kong offers a notable example, after authorities faced a large influx of pregnant women from mainland China. Mandatory advance registration at maternity hospitals, quotas for foreign women and tighter border controls were introduced. As a result, the number of such cases fell sharply.

Debate in Canada

Canada still maintains unconditional birthright citizenship, but the political debate over restricting birth tourism is becoming increasingly heated.

Canadian studies show that more than 5,400 births to non-residents were registered in the country during the 2024-2025 financial year. Against this backdrop, politicians are increasingly calling for the rules to be reviewed.

War as a driver of new migration

Russia's war against Ukraine has reshaped the migration strategies of thousands of families, with giving birth abroad becoming a way to secure citizenship and new opportunities for their children.

But as birth tourism grows, countries often tighten their rules. Argentina has already done so following an influx of pregnant Russian women, and Brazil could face similar pressure if the trend continues.