Canada is one of several countries worldwide that has birthright citizenship. What this means is that babies born in Canada – with the exception of those born to foreign diplomats – have automatic rights to citizenship, regardless of the citizenship of their parents.

On the international stage, Canadian citizenship is highly desirable. Canada has a good reputation around the world, and its citizens can visit most countries without the need for a visa. Within Canada, citizens have certain opportunities that are not available to non-citizens, such as the right to hold political office at the federal level.

Because of these advantages, it is no surprise that Canada is a popular destination for birth tourism. This is the act of traveling to Canada with the express purpose of giving birth here. It is a practical, legal way for you to ensure that your child has Canadian citizenship, regardless of where you and the baby will live after the birth.

There are processes that have to be followed, though. You cannot just get on a plane and fly to Canada without ensuring that the proper visas and paperwork are taken care of. Since visa processing times can be affected by a variety of factors, people who want to give birth in Canada should start making the relevant applications during the early stages of pregnancy.

What Visa Is Required?

There is no visa that is issued specifically with the intention of allowing you to give birth in Canada. You will need to apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV), which in most cases allows you to stay in Canada for up to six months after entry.

The visa requirements vary by country. You can find the applications forms and information relevant to your country on the Immigration and Citizenship website. You may be able to apply online as long as you have access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of required documents, as well as a valid credit card.

Does Pregnancy Have To Be Disclosed?

When completing government applications, it is always best practice to provide all relevant information. In the case of the TRV, this includes your reasons for traveling to Canada. The officer evaluating your application needs to be satisfied of three things:

1. Do you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada?
2. Will you leave Canada before your TRV expires?
3. Are there any factors that exclude you from being admissible? Examples of this would include criminal activity and a medical condition that puts public health or safety at risk.

Pregnancy is not regarded as an exclusionary medical condition – even if it is high-risk. However, the pregnancy could impact evaluation of your financial resources and intent to leave Canada by the time your visa expires. If you fail to disclose a pregnancy that is later discovered by immigration officers, you may be subject to a further examination of admissibility.

What Does The TRV Allow?

The temporary resident visa allows you to be in Canada for the length of time specified on the document. Usually, this is six months, but exceptions may apply in some circumstances. The provisions of the TRV do NOT allow you to work or study in Canada, unless you have additional documents such as a work permit. Therefore, since you will not be able to work in Canada, it is important that you begin your stay with enough funds to support yourself until you leave.

Covering The Cost Of Medical Expenses

While Canadian citizens and residents have access to healthcare without having to pay out-of-pocket, this access is not available to visitors on a TRV. You will need to pay for the medical services you receive, including prenatal visits and the costs of labour and delivery. These expenses vary depending on how complicated your pregnancy is and how and where you are planning to give birth. When you are calculating how much money you will need to bring with you, remember to factor in your medical costs.

Make Sure You Know Visa And Citizenship Rules Of The Country You Live In

Remember that when you leave Canada, you will have a brand new person with you, and that person will need their own documentation for travel. Since your child will be a Canadian citizen, you can easily apply for a Canadian passport. This should be done as soon as possible after you give birth.

There are other things that you need to consider, including the following:

• Although Canada allows dual citizenship, not all countries do. You may be in a position of having to choose which citizenship your child can keep.
• Some countries require dual citizens to enter using a passport from that country. Although exceptions are often made for newborn babies, it is important to know the rules ahead of time.
• Your child may need additional documentation such as a visa when you leave Canada to take them home. This is especially likely if you live in a country other than the one you yourself are a citizen of.

It is important that you find out these answers before you travel to Canada. It is also helpful to make sure you have the contact information of your country’s consulate or embassy in or closest to the Canadian location you will be traveling to.

Assistance For Pregnant People Across Canada

No matter what your circumstances are, pregnancy can be a difficult and challenging time. You may find yourself with more questions than answers. In this day and age where the Internet is so diluted with false information, you may not know where to turn for the right answers. Whether you are a pregnant person in Canada, or you are elsewhere and considering traveling to Canada to give birth, Birthright Canada can provide you with resources, advice and information. Our service is delivered in a way that is compassionate, non-judgmental, confidential and safe. We invite you to browse around on our website to see all that we have to offer, and then contact us so that we can help make your pregnancy journey easier, less stressful, and more enjoyable.