No conditions apply to temporary residents that prohibit giving birth in Canada. Therefore, the applicant’s intention to give birth in Canada cannot be the only reason for denying them a temporary resident visa (TRV).
Based on the “jus soli” principle—also known as the right of soil or birthright citizenship—a child born in Canada is granted Canadian citizenship.
This entitlement applies to all children, regardless of their parents’ residency status in Canada at birth, except for infants born to foreign diplomats.
Many foreign nationals wish for their children to be automatically granted the rights and privileges of Canadian citizenship. So, if you want to know more about giving birth in Canada, we understand!
What Visa is Required to Give Birth in Canada?
The visa for women to give birth in Canada is a simple Temporary Resident Visa. There are no differences in the procedures or what is allowed, except that the woman will give birth in Canada.
This visa is temporary, usually valid for six months or less. It allows women to visit family and friends or travel to Canada, but at the same time, they can also go to a hospital and seek assistance giving birth.
It does not allow the woman to claim medical and social benefits offered to Canadian citizens. In addition, it does not allow the woman to stay permanently in Canada, apply for citizenship, or try to apply for Canadian-issued documents.
It only permits going to the hospital and paying for the treatment to give birth. Once the pregnant woman gives birth, the child automatically becomes a Canadian citizen and may claim a Canadian passport even if the parents are not residents or citizens.
Required Documents for Giving Birth in Canada
To qualify for a visa that allows a woman to go to Canada to give birth, she must fulfill specific requirements, which are not different from the requirements of a Visitor Visa.
This is because the Canadian Consulate does not consider pregnant women exceptional cases for visa applications. So, the fact that an applicant is pregnant, unless it is medically dangerous, cannot make a woman ineligible for a Canadian Visa.
If you do not meet these requirements, the Canadian Consulate will require further proof and allow you to submit more documents to convince them they should give you a visa. These documents include:
- The mandatory Canada visa documents.
- Your bank or other financial statements to prove that you have enough funds for the trip to Canada and the hospital stay to give birth
- Be ready to undergo a medical examination if the Canadian Consulate asks you to.
- A travel itinerary if you have already booked your flight tickets or just a description of what you plan to do once in Canada so you can state that you intend to give birth.
- A letter of invitation from your family or friends if applicable.
- A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a visa to give birth in Canada
- Two photos that meet the Canada Photo Requirements
In addition, if you have documents in any language other than English or French, ensure you translate them. A certified translator must verify the translation.
Application Process for a Visa to Give Birth in Canada?
If you want to go to Canada to give birth, you must apply for a visa and follow several steps.
- Confirm your eligibility for the Canada visa to give birth.
- Submit all the required documents.
- Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information.
- Send your passport for stamping.
In addition, ensure you state that you are pregnant somewhere in your application. If you try to hide your pregnancy because you do not know whether they will give you the visa, then the Canadian Consulate can deny your visa because you were not truthful.
They call this a misrepresentation of yourself. So, in your Declaration Letter or anywhere else on the application forms where they ask you why you want to go to Canada, you can state that you are pregnant and want to visit Canada to give birth.
Furthermore, in the forms where it asks whether you have a medical condition, you can state “No” because pregnancy does not qualify as a medical condition, according to the Canadian Government.
Once you submit all the documents, you must pay the visa application fee and wait for your application to be processed.
What are the Necessary Costs to Give Birth in Canada?
The required fees for a Canadian visa to give birth are the same as those for all Temporary Resident Visas. You will have to pay $100 for the application and an additional $85 if you have to provide biometric information.
Finally, you must pay around $45 for the passport processing if your visa is approved. In addition, the medical and associated costs to give birth in Canada will vary based on the type of hospital you have selected and the type of delivery you would like to go for (natural or C-section).
Most importantly, the cost will vary based on the province where you have chosen to give birth. Some Canadian provinces have higher healthcare costs than others. Remember that the costs may range from $5,000 – $20,000.
What is the Processing Time for this Visa?
Depending on the workload of the Canadian Consulate, you might have to wait from 1 week to 5 or 6 weeks for your visa to be processed and for them to let you know whether you got it.
Since you plan to give birth in Canada, ensure you apply earlier, not close to your due date, in case the application processing takes longer.
Benefits of Giving Birth in Canada
Whether you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, your child is immediately a citizen of Canada when you give birth to them.
Some additional advantages of giving birth in Canada include the freedom to live in or visit Canada without a permit or visa and the right to access and take advantage of free social benefits, healthcare, and education.
After giving birth in Canada as a non-resident, a parent who wishes to obtain permanent residence is not granted any preferential treatment. But after giving birth, you should stay in Canada.
If you are eligible, you must obtain your temporary resident visa as a worker, student, or visitor. Moreover, many mothers, after giving birth in Canada as foreigners, return to their home countries with the knowledge that their children will return to Canada to study and work as Canadian citizens with full rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the required documents to have your baby in Canada?
- A valid passport.
- Two passport-sized photos.
- The application form.
- Proof of enough funds to support your stay.
- Civil status proof.
- A travel itinerary.
- A police record.
- An invitation letter.
- Proof of accommodation.
- A medical certificate confirming you participated in a complete medical examination.
How long is the Canadian birth visa valid?
Like all the Temporary Canada Visas, you may only stay for up to six months. The Consulate could give you a visa for a longer time. In some rare cases, it is until your passport expires. But in any case, you may not stay in Canada for more than six months at a time.
Will the baby’s father be allowed to visit his newborn in a hospital?
Yes. Fathers and other relatives can visit the mother and the child at hospitals, provided they have valid visitor visas in Canada.
Can my dependents follow me to Canada with this visa?
The Canada birth visa is temporary, so you cannot bring your spouse or children to Canada. However, they can apply for the Tourist Visa. You could submit all the applications together, and the Consulate will process them for you as a family.
