What happens if an international student gets pregnant?

When an international student friend of mine got pregnant, she was concerned about a lot of things.

Like:

• How her pregnancy would affect her visa status
• Her options with healthcare
• And, whether she could even continue her studies.

These were valid concerns, and like her, you’ll face the same questions if you get pregnant as an international student.

Pregnancy will add an extra layer of complexity to your already-filled plate of activities.

And, the demand to maintain full enrollment means, you have to juggle your academic activities with pregnancy.

What happens if an international student gets pregnant depends on “the student’s choice”.

What happens if an international student gets pregnant?

If an international student gets pregnant, the student can take a leave of absence, continue her studies while carrying the baby till birth, terminate the pregnancy and continue her studies, or defer her studies until after giving birth.

There is no law anywhere forbidding international students from getting pregnant nor is there any law that (anywhere) that punishes international students for getting pregnant.

Instead, most countries have laws that prohibit discrimination against anyone pregnant, regardless of their nationality or status in the country. 

Read also: How late can I enter Canada with a student visa?

So, you are in safe hands. You only have your academic activities to worry about.

You have the right to continue your studies as an international student even while pregnant.

But how safe and healthy is this?

Carrying a baby while still attending classes and other stressful academic activities.

Well, not very safe.

Will pregnancy affect your student visa status?

No, getting pregnant does not directly affect your student visa status. However, if it affects your ability to maintain full-time study or comply with your visa conditions, like attending classes or other academic activities, this will put your visa at risk.

In most countries, international student visas are tied to your academic enrollment.

If you plan to continue your studies during your pregnancy, you must ensure that you remain enrolled full-time (or part-time, depending on your program).

Read also: Universities that accept 2.5 GPA for masters in Canada

You must attend classes regularly, as maintaining your academic engagement is the only way to keep your student status valid.

Failing to engage in academic activities (due to the pregnancy) means violating your visa conditions which can lead to visa cancellation.

What should you do if you get pregnant as an international student?

After confirming your pregnancy, what to do next depends on the option you want to take.

• You can take a leave of absence
• Terminate the pregnancy
• Defer your program
• Or, cancel your studies entirely

Being an international student, you’re far away from home with almost “no support”, the choice you make is very crucial.

There is a lot involved in pregnancy, the expenses, the stress, plus your academic activities.

Read also: Disadvantages of studying in Australia for international students

Consider what’s best for you (your health) and your baby.

4 things that will happen if an international student gets pregnant

You can:

1. Take a leave of absence 

Most academic institutions allow pregnant students to take a leave of absence for an approved period.

If you get pregnant as an international student, you can pause your studies by informing both your school and immigration authorities about your situation.

In countries like the UK and Canada, you can take a leave of absence without losing your visa status, but this depends on the specific visa rules in your host country.

For example:

• In the U.S., F-1 and J-1 visa holders can request “medical leave,” but it must be approved by the university’s Designated School Official (DSO) and updated in the SEVIS system.
• In Canada, you can take up to 150 days off.
• In Australia, the maximum leave period is 12 months.
• In the UK, you’re allowed a consecutive 60-day leave, and you must notify the UKVI.

In some cases, you can extend your leave beyond these limits as long as you maintain communication with your institution.

During your leave, you won’t be required to pay tuition, attend classes, complete assignments, or take exams.

Your main focus will be on taking care of yourself and preparing for your baby’s arrival.

In addition, you can stay in your host country and maintain your student status while taking time off to recover after giving birth.

2. Defer your studies

If you find that balancing pregnancy and academics becomes too overwhelming, consider deferring your studies.

As a pregnant student, you’re allowed to defer your studies for one or two semesters, meaning you can temporarily pause your academic program without losing your place.

When deferring, you’ll maintain your spot in the program, and you can return to your studies once you are ready, often at the next available intake or semester.

Read also: What happens if an international student gets pregnant in Canada?

This is great if you need time to focus on your health or adjust to life as a new parent.

You can defer at the final stages of your pregnancy.

If you defer your studies, it won’t mess with your student visa or status.

But, depending on your host country’s immigration rules, you can be asked to reapply for your visa before you jump back into classes.

3. You can terminate the pregnancy

Before you jump to conclusions, hear me out!

Children are blessings and we love them (I do too) but, not everyone can handle the stress of pregnancy while studying abroad, away from family and friends.

If you find yourself pregnant and feel it’s not the right time, you have the option to terminate the pregnancy.

Many countries have inclusive healthcare systems that support reproductive rights.

Read also: Cheapest colleges in Saskatchewan for international students

As an international student, you have the legal right to access abortion services if you feel it’s the best decision for you.

Abortion is legal, safe, and accessible in many parts of the world, regardless of where you’re from.

The decision to terminate a pregnancy is a deeply personal one that should be based on your own needs and circumstances.

If you decide to terminate the pregnancy (which many students have done), you’ll be in good hands.

You’ll have access to safe, legal, and confidential abortion without being judged by anyone or discriminated against by anyone.

4. You can cancel your studies entirely

While this is not the ideal choice for me (I guess for many too), cancelling your studies is an option if managing both pregnancy and academics feels too much to handle.

Cancelling means formally withdrawing from your program and returning to your home country to have your baby.

Keep in mind, that this decision is final – you won’t continue your program after giving birth, so think it over carefully.

Although this option doesn’t look great, it could be worth considering if you need your family’s support and don’t want to bring a dependent with you to your host country.

If you decide to cancel, follow the proper withdrawal procedures at your institution.

Keep all your academic records and transcripts, as they can be useful if you plan to transfer credits to another institution later.

Can you continue your studies after giving birth as an international student?

Yes, aside from allowing you to take time off, many institutions are supportive of students who become pregnant and offer options like part-time study, online classes, or flexible deadlines.

You can opt for a part-time study load during or after the pregnancy.

This will allow you to manage your coursework while taking care of your child.

If your university offers online classes or distance learning, this can also be a great option to continue your studies without physically attending classes.

When you get pregnant, discuss these options with your academic advisor or program coordinator.

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

You can apply and get a student visa if you are pregnant. Being pregnant does not automatically disqualify you from getting a student visa, however, you must notify the immigration authorities about your conditions when applying for your visa.

Can pregnancy affect my student visa?

Pregnancy itself doesn’t automatically affect your student visa. However, if it interferes with your ability to maintain full-time enrollment, attend classes and engage in other academic activities, it could pose an issue.

The validity of your student visa is tied to your active engagement in your program, if pregnancy stops you from actively engaging in your academic activities, you’ll put your visa at risk.

Can you suspend your studies if you get pregnant as an international student?

Yes, as an international student, you can take a temporary leave or suspend your studies due to pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a genuine reason to suspend your studies for a specific period.

Read also: How to withdraw Canada visa application

However, you must inform both your institution and immigration authorities to ensure compliance with your visa conditions and, if necessary, apply for an extension or deferment.

Do universities accept pregnant students?

Universities accept pregnant students. Being pregnant does not affect your ability to enroll in or attend university.

Most universities have policies and support systems to assist international students who are pregnant while they are in school.

Can international students have abortions?

International students can have abortions, abortion is legal in many countries, and as an international student, you’re allowed to abort a child if you are not ready to keep it.

You have the same rights and access to abortion as everyone else.

In most countries, there is no law (for now) that prevents international students from engaging in abortion.

Final words

Getting pregnant as an international student with no family member or friend to assist you, can be stressful.

You have a lot to put into consideration; your health, your baby’s health, your studies, and the financial demand.

If you get pregnant as an international student, you can choose to take a leave of absence, defer your program, cancel your studies, or terminate the pregnancy.

Whichever option you find suitable, one thing is for sure, you’ll get all the support you need.