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

[Transborderwife 4,666]

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.

Because they are would likely see you as a threat to stay and adjust.

[ni68ana 1]

Because they are would likely see you as a threat to stay and adjust.

But we don't need the B2 for that, we could do that anyway through VWP if we wanted to.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

But we don't need the B2 for that, we could do that anyway through VWP if we wanted to.

Either way would be fraud intending to enter and adjust. But she could still be denied entry on vwp as well. What I was saying was it's at the discretion of the border guard if they see it as a threat. If she does not get the b2 her chances of using vwp for a while are likely gone. Edited March 31, 2016 by Transborderwife

[Boiler 45,949]

Birth is an acceptable reason for seeking a B, you will need to show that you can cover the costs. I am intrigued by what Insurance you have in Spain would cover US birth costs?

Safe just to take 90 days.

[JFH 12,191]

I also can't think of a reason why an officer would deny us

I can. A US citizen spouse and a perfectly good VWP that you can use.

Why ask our opinions if you're sure it'll be fine?

[aurpol 17]

Why B2 when you can petition her CR1 which takes 5-6 mos average. Doing so, will make things easier for you both. If during the process she becomes pregnant, just ask or request to expedite her case.

[EmilyW 1,514]

I think the OP is happy living in Spain. They just want to use a special birth center and then return to Spain to live.

[ni68ana 1]

I can. A US citizen spouse and a perfectly good VWP that you can use.

Why ask our opinions if you're sure it'll be fine?

Because I'm not sure it's fine. Just because I can't think of a reason doesn't mean there isn't - I have no experience with this kind of thing. That's why I'm asking.

The problem with the VWP is that we'd like to have more than 90 days to stay, we don't want to rush it, come too late or leave to early. If it turns out that it'd be risky to apply and that we could get rejected, or if it'd be better to just apply for her cr1, then maybe that's what we'll do. We'd have to look into what the latter entails though, certainly costs much more, takes much longer, a much bigger deal, etc etc. Much less complicated to do the b2 then cr1 - only if we're likely to get accepted, of course. That's why I'm asking, to get information and advice.

[ni68ana 1]

Birth is an acceptable reason for seeking a B, you will need to show that you can cover the costs. I am intrigued by what Insurance you have in Spain would cover US birth costs?

Safe just to take 90 days.

We have private insurance in Spain from a company called Sanitas that offers an option for coverage abroad, including in the US, including birth.

[ni68ana 1]

Another reason why I think coming with a b2 would be better than with vwp is because then we can be up front with the border control officer when we get there, who will likely notice that she's pregnant. Yes, she's pregnant, yes we're here to give birth, yes we've been authorized for this purpose and have all the documents etc. - all straightforward.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Have you checked that this specific birth center accepts said insurance? Or is it something that you pay in cash & get reimbursed later?

Also, be prepared that there is the possibility that you'll need to transfer to a hospital, in which case it will be pricey. (In case you need to pay first & your insurance reimburses you.)

I'm not trying to be nosey. But you definitely need to show that you can afford a birth in the US, that you are prepared for any eventuality (e.g. Hospital, c-section, etc).

About applying for a B1 visa: your wife needs to show strong ties to Spain, in this specific case maybe she should present YOUR strong ties to Spain, too... I don't see it very likely that she would be approved, but it's possible. I'm not sure it's worth risking her VWP privileges.

You need to understand that EVERY tourist visa applicant is assumed to have immigrant intent, by law. Couple that with a USC husband & a baby on the way, plus she's from a VWP country, not the best odds at all.

The CO is not looking for reasons your wife needs to go to the US. They don't care about that. They are looking if she's likely to come back. From an outside prospective it does not really look like that.

Edited April 1, 2016 by EM_Vandaveer

[az2014 381]

You are in Spain, not some 3rd world country. Giving birth is not exactly an unknown specialist procedure that requires specialist surgery in a specialist health centre.

[Hypnos 6,578]

CBP have the final say on admitting you to the country - visa or no visa.

[Jawaree 718]

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!

A B2 visa wont be issued to have a baby either you petition your wife (which wont be fast enough) or apply for

an extension when it close to her 90 expiration date here Make sure medical bills are paid up, and dad if you

live in rhe US not more than 5 yrs ago (I think) you could pass citizenship automatically to the baby

Edited April 1, 2016 by Jawaree

[Jon and Fangfang 5]

If you have been living in Spain for over 6 month, you could apply for a CR-1 using DCF (Direct consular filing). You would likely have her visa within the next 4 months and could then go to the U.S. for as long as you want. Just something to think about if you don't find other options. I filed using DCF and from our first submition date to final interview it is exactly 3 months, assuming we get approved the whole process will have taken almost 4 months for visa in hand. It is a good route if you have lived in country for 6 months already. That is my experience with it, others that helped me know more. Just search for DCF on this forum.