Applying for B2 medical visa in order to give birth in the US

[ni68ana 1]

Hi all,

I'm a US citizen currently living in Spain and married to a Spaniard. We hope to get pregnant and have a baby in the next year, and want to do so in a waterbirth center in Oregon (they have waterbirth in Spain too, but nothing like the quality of the birth center we saw in OR when we visited a few months ago).

So we're thinking of coming to the US around month 5-6 of the pregnancy (she's not pregnant yet) and staying there until after we have the baby. To my understanding, this would require a B2 visa, since her visa waiver is only good for 3 months. I've heard that spouses of US citizens are unofficially allowed to stay up to 6 months, but would rather stay on the safe side and get official approval.

My question is, do you think they will grant a B2 visa for, say, 6 months on these grounds? I can prove sufficient funds through bank statements and US tax returns, my job is location independent, and we'll have health insurance to cover us in the US as well, so there's no reason to suspect that we'd become a public charge.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Nope. Just nope. Why is it so important to have the baby in the USA?

[ni68ana 1]

Nope. Just nope. Why is it so important to have the baby in the USA?

Because they don't have birth centers of this quality in Spain. Care to provide more details than "just nope"?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

For one, the likely hood of getting a b2 in a vwp country is low. Especially as the spouse of a USC. That weighs heavily against her. Also birth tourism is highly frowned upon.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

A former co posts on this site named HFM181818. He's highly educated on the subject

[Michael and Ganna 104]

B-2 is for visiting / tourism

[Catalan-American 40]

Why do you accuse her of birth tourism, Transborderwife?

She's a US citizen. She can pass her nationality to her child if the child is born in Spain.

Edited March 31, 2016 by EA & AM

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Why do you accuse her of birth tourism, Transborderwife?

She's a US citizen. She can pass her nationality to her child if the child is born in Spain.

The husband is a USC, not the wife hence the b2. That's exactly my point that citizenship can be transferred.its still birth tourism if a b2 is needed imo. Edited March 31, 2016 by Transborderwife

[KierenHby 897]

For one, the likely hood of getting a b2 in a vwp country is low. Especially as the spouse of a USC. That weighs heavily against her. Also birth tourism is highly frowned upon.

Baby will be a USC, so the traditional birth tourism label is baseless in this case.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Do you have US health insurance?

[Catalan-American 40]

Baby will be a USC, so the traditional birth tourism label is baseless in this case.

Thank you, this is what I was meaning

[JFH 12,189]

Baby will be a USC, so the traditional birth tourism label is baseless in this case.

Assuming the father meets the requirements to pass citizenship to the child. We don't know how long he has spent in the USA in his lifetime.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

While stranger things have happened put yourself in the shoes of cbp should the wife get a b2. Providing one is honest and gives the reason for visit could highly see one denying entry. Though stranger things have happened

[KierenHby 897]

Assuming the father meets the requirements to pass citizenship to the child. We don't know how long he has spent in the USA in his lifetime.

valid point

[ni68ana 1]

Wow, this forum is hopping! Away for a couple hours and already so many responses. Thanks all for your input.

I was born in the US, lived there for twenty years, my parents are both American, etc.. so my future children will also be American, regardless of where we give birth. Therefore I don't see how it could be viewed as birth tourism. I also can't think of a reason why an officer would deny us, since we'd be very honest and up front about our intentions, and can prove our financial resources.

We do have health insurance, it's international and specifically includes coverage in the US.

Thanks also for referring me to HFM181818 - I'll get in touch via PM.