diff --git a/nova/conf/api.py b/nova/conf/api.py
index 0f4276d36d..8852a99393 100644
--- a/nova/conf/api.py
+++ b/nova/conf/api.py
@@ -259,6 +259,14 @@ allow_instance_snapshots_opts = [
     cfg.BoolOpt("allow_instance_snapshots",
         default=True,
         deprecated_group="DEFAULT",
+        deprecated_for_removal=True,
+        deprecated_since="16.0.0",
+        deprecated_reason="This option disables the createImage server action "
+                          "API in a non-discoverable way and is thus a "
+                          "barrier to interoperability. Also, it is not used "
+                          "for other APIs that create snapshots like shelve "
+                          "or createBackup. Disabling snapshots should be "
+                          "done via policy if so desired.",
         help="""
 Operators can turn off the ability for a user to take snapshots of their
 instances by setting this option to False. When disabled, any attempt to
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/deprecate-allow_instance_snapshots-c63c45856c902e1e.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/deprecate-allow_instance_snapshots-c63c45856c902e1e.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cb6bc0b1de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/deprecate-allow_instance_snapshots-c63c45856c902e1e.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+deprecations:
+  - |
+    The ``[api]/allow_instance_snapshots`` configuration option is now
+    deprecated for removal. To disable snapshots in the ``createImage`` server
+    action API, change the ``os_compute_api:servers:create_image`` and
+    ``os_compute_api:servers:create_image:allow_volume_backed`` policies.