When I get pregnant in the US under a student visa does that allow me to stay permanently?

During my master’s program in the US, my friend got pregnant and it changed nothing in her visa conditions.

When you get pregnant in the US as a student, it has little to no effect on your visa status.

While it’ll affect your health and academics, the rules of your student visa will still apply.

Unless you decide to take a leave of absence (like my friend did), you’re expected to remain a full-time student, attend your classes, and participate in other academic work.

Therefore, if you’re wondering whether getting pregnant will help you stay back in the country, I have got an answer for you, and, I hope you like it.

When I get pregnant in the US under a student visa does that allow me to stay permanently?

No, getting pregnant while on a student visa in the US does not grant you permanent residency. Your visa status remains the same whether or not you get pregnant, and you’re still expected to follow the conditions of your visa.

If you get pregnant on a student visa in the USA, you’ll not be allowed to stay permanently.

Your USA student visa is a temporary visa and pregnancy won’t make it permanent.

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If you wish to stay permanently, you need to apply for a different visa or legal residency status through the appropriate channels.

Can pregnancy affect my student visa?

Pregnancy itself does not directly affect your student visa status. As long as you continue to meet the requirements of your visa, by attending classes and taking part in other academic activities, your visa will remain valid.

However, if pregnancy makes you unable to fulfil your visa conditions like you stop attending classes without getting a leave of absence, your student visa will be affected.

If you’re studying in the US on an F-1 or J-1 visa and discover that you’re pregnant, your visa status itself doesn’t change.

Your US student visa is granted based on your enrollment in a certified educational institution, and being pregnant does not, on its own, provide any direct immigration benefits.

What happens if an international student gets pregnant in the USA?

If you get pregnant as an international student while studying in the USA, it’ll not affect your student visa, and you can continue to stay enrolled full-time, attend classes, and carry out other academic activities accordingly.

However, you can decide to take a leave of absence if you can’t cope with the pregnancy and the demands of your academics.

Pregnancy does not offer any immigration benefits, and you must still comply with all your visa conditions.

However, the child, if born in the US, can acquire US citizenship, but this does not automatically change the parent’s visa status.

What happens if you have a baby on a student visa in the USA?

If you give birth in the US, your child will automatically become a US citizen. This means your child will have the same rights and privileges as any other American citizen.

They can live, study, and work in the US without needing a visa or green card.

However, while your child will be a US citizen, this does not grant you, as a parent, any automatic rights to stay in the country longer than your current visa.

Immigration laws do not provide a direct pathway to residency or citizenship for parents based on their child’s birth status.

Read also: What happens if your visa expires in another country?

But, your US-born child can petition for you to obtain a green card, but only once they turn 21 years old.

This means there’s no immediate benefit for your immigration status, and you must continue to follow the rules of your student visa or find another legal way to stay in the US.

What to do when you get pregnant under a student visa in the USA

The US government does not have specific regulations regarding pregnancy for international students.

This means you can continue studying (even when pregnant) as long as you can cope with academic activities and your pregnancy.

Read also: How to cancel a Canada student visa

However, if pregnancy-related health issues make it difficult for you to maintain full-time enrollment and attend classes plus other academic activities, you can request a temporary leave of absence from your studies.

Taking a medical leave of absence as a pregnant student in the USA

At the later stage of the pregnancy, it’ll be hard for you to continue with academic activities.

If this happens – if pregnancy or childbirth prevents you from continuing your studies full-time, you’ll be eligible for a reduced course load or a temporary leave of absence.

Under F-1 visa rules, international students can request a medical leave for up to 12 months if their condition (like pregnancy) prevents them from maintaining a full course load.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Talk to your international student office: Speak to the Designated School Official (DSO) at your institution.

They’ll tell you how to apply for a reduced course load or medical leave.

• Get a doctor’s report: To get a leave of absence, you need a medical report from a licensed medical professional stating that you need time off for medical reasons.
• Your SEVIS will be updated: The DSO will update your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record to reflect that you’re on medical leave.

This will help maintain your visa status while you’re not enrolled full-time.

Upon concluding your medical leave, you must return to your studies or risk losing your student visa status.

Giving birth in the US as an international student

If you decide to give birth in the U.S., you need a health insurance plan that covers pregnancy and childbirth.

Healthcare in the U.S. can be expensive, and paying out of pocket will be costly.

Some student health insurance plans do not include pregnancy and childbirth, therefore, get extra insurance to help with the costs.

Read also: Can I edit my Australian visa application after submission?

After giving birth, balancing school and parenthood will bring more challenges, especially if your family isn’t nearby, prepare for it.

It’s a good idea to look for support groups or counselling services at your university to help you adjust.

Finally, having a baby in the U.S. can increase your living expenses – you’ll need more funds.

Can I change my student visa status after giving birth in the USA?

Yes, you can change your student visa status after giving birth in the US, while pregnancy itself doesn’t qualify you for a change of status if you want to stay in the US after giving birth, you can apply through other visa options.

• Apply for a different visa: You can switch to a different non-immigrant visa type, like a work visa (H-1B), depending on your qualifications.

To achieve this, you need a job offer from a US employer and approval from the Department of Labor.

• Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT): If you’re on an F-1 visa and close to graduation, you can apply for OPT, which allows you to work in your field of study for up to 12 months after graduation.

This will give you more time in the US and allow you to stay and explore longer options.

• Marriage to a US Citizen or Permanent Resident: If you marry a US citizen or a green card holder, you can apply for a green card based on your relationship.

This will allow you to stay in the US permanently.

• Seek asylum: While not directly related to pregnancy, if you’re unable to return to your home country due to fear of persecution, you can try applying for asylum, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get it.

Becoming pregnant while on a student visa in the US doesn’t grant you the right to stay permanently, but it does add other options regarding your visa status.

Even with pregnancy, your primary responsibility as a student in the US is to maintain your visa compliance.

You can do this by continuing your education while carrying the pregnancy or by applying for medical leave.

Read also: Do I have to enter the country that issued my Schengen visa?

Having a child in the US grants citizenship to your child, but it doesn’t add any direct benefit to your immigration status as a parent.

If you’re under a student visa, pregnancy alone is not grounds for you to stay in the US permanently.