Giving birth in Canada as an international student

Even with the excellent support systems you have in Canada, having a baby as an international student is a big decision.

You have to deal with healthcare services, maintaining your student visa, or balancing studies and the responsibilities of becoming a parent.

It can feel like a lot to handle!

If you give birth in Canada, here’s what to expect.

What happens if an international student gets pregnant in Canada?

If an international student gets pregnant in Canada, the student can take an approved break from their studies, defer their program until after the pregnancy, or, in some cases, choose to cancel their study permit to focus on having the baby.

When you get pregnant, you’ll be provided with all the necessary support and care you need to have a safe delivery.

Giving birth in Canada as an international student

Healthcare will be your biggest challenge in giving birth in Canada as an international student.

While your child will receive Canadian citizenship, you’re likely covered under the health insurance from your school, which in most cases does not cover pregnancy or childbirth.

In Canada, most health insurance for international students covers only doctor visits, medical tests, and emergency hospital visits not maternity and childbirth.

Read also: How to convert a student visa to a work visa in Germany

In Canada, most health insurance for international students covers only doctor visits, medical tests, and emergency hospital visits, not maternity and childbirth.

Without healthcare coverage, you need to pay out of pocket, and the cost of giving birth is high.

Hospital delivery fees are from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the type of care you need.

If there are complications, these costs will add up quickly.

If you’re studying in Alberta, you can qualify for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) – it covers maternity care.

Read also: I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay

This is not the same if you are studying in Ontario, where international students aren’t covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

In British Columbia, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) covers pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.

Other provinces have differing options.

What happens after you give birth in Canada as an international student?

After giving birth in Canada, you’ll get a birth certificate for your child from the provincial or territorial vital statistics office.

You can also apply for a Canadian passport for your baby if you plan to travel outside Canada.

In addition, you register your child with the provincial health authority – this will help secure your child’s healthcare coverage.

Read also: How to renew my Nigerian passport in the UK

The birth of your child will not directly affect your student visa status as long as you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit.

Will giving birth as an international student in Canada affect your student visa?

Having a child in Canada does not change your immigration status automatically, nor does it mean that you can immediately gain permanent residency.

Nothing about your visa changes just because you’ve given birth in Canada, and you will still be expected to obey the terms of your study permit.

What support do you have if you give birth as an international student in Canada?

Universities and colleges in Canada are very supportive of students who face major life changes like giving birth.

Many institutions will offer you special accommodations.

I remember when a coursemate, also an international student, gave birth in her final year of studies.

She was able to work out a flexible schedule with her professors, took online classes during her last trimester, and even arranged extensions on assignments.

In most institutions, you can take maternity leave from your studies – up to a year, without risking your student status.

You can adjust your course load and deadlines to create room for your new responsibilities.

In some schools, you’ll receive on-campus daycare services.

Read also: As a foreign student can I return home or travel outside Canada while studying?

Furthermore, there are numerous community resources available to help new parents, including international students.

Many cities have support groups for new mothers, parenting classes, and social services.

If you’re lucky enough to have family or a partner with you in Canada, it will be much easier to manage your time.

Do you still need to attend classes if you give birth in Canada as an international student?

While you get all the support you need, as a student, you still need to meet the requirements of your study permit, which means continuing with your classes.

Unless you’re on leave of absence which must be approved by your institution, you must attend classes even while pregnant.

If you get pregnant, taking an approved break will help you stay off academic activities and still maintain your student status.

What happens if a baby is born in Canada on a student visa?

If a baby is born in Canada while you’re on a student visa, the baby automatically becomes a Canadian citizen.

Canada follows the principle of jus soli, meaning any child born on Canadian soil will be granted Canadian citizenship, regardless of the parents’ nationality or immigration status.

This is called birthright citizenship.

Your child will have Canadian citizenship and all the associated rights, like access to public healthcare, education, and social services, even though you’re on a student visa.

In addition, the child will also have the right to live in Canada, work in Canada, study in Canada and vote and be voted for when of age.

How much does it cost to give birth in Canada as an international student?

The cost of giving birth in Canada as an international student depends on the means of birth (natural or C-section) and the province where you give birth.

On average, it will cost between CAD 1000 to CAD 15,000, including prenatal and postnatal care.

Read also: I have received my student visa for Canada, how many months before I can travel?

If you do not have insurance, you’ll cover the cost out of pocket.

A child born in Canada while parents are on a study permit

Any child born in Canada while the parents are on a s study permit will become a Canadian citizen no matter where the parent of the child is from or their immigration status in Canada.

Will pregnancy affect your student visa in Canada?

No, pregnancy will not directly affect your student visa status in Canada.

Your student visa will remain valid even if you get pregnant as long as you continue to be enrolled in a designated learning institution and make progress in your program.

If I get pregnant in Canada under a student visa does that allow me to stay permanently?

No, getting pregnant in Canada under a student visa does not automatically allow you to stay permanently.

As a student, your stay in Canada is tied to your student visa and getting pregnant will not change your status.

Whether pregnant or not, you’ll leave Canada when your study permit expires and you don’t renew it.

To stay in Canada permanently, you must apply for permanent residency through an eligible immigration program.

Do parents get citizenship through the birth of their child in Canada?

No, parents do not get Canadian citizenship when their child is born in Canada. Even though Canada offers citizenship by birth, only the child will become a Canadian citizen.

Canada’s citizenship by birth privilege does not extend to the parents of the child born in Canada.

If my child is born in Canada, can I get permanent residency?

While a baby born in Canada will become a Canadian citizen, this does not confer any permanent residency benefits to the parents.

As a parent, your immigration status will remain unchanged after the birth of your child.

If you are on a student visa, work permit, or any other temporary status, you’ll continue to hold that status.

Read also: Can I change my college after 1st semester in Canada?

To become a permanent resident, you must apply through any of Canada’s immigration pathways and meet its conditions.

Can I apply for a student visa if I’m pregnant?

Even if you’re pregnant, you can apply for a student visa.

Pregnancy does not disqualify you from getting a student visa, however, you must prove that you can cope with the demands of studying in Canada to be issued a visa.

Do Canadian universities accept pregnant students?

Every Canadian university accepts pregnant students and even supports them throughout their pregnancy period.

If you want to give birth in Canada as an international student, get an insurance plan that covers childbirth, otherwise, you’ll pay out of pocket for the delivery.