There is no one-size-fits-all answer on how to approach your pregnancy when you are thinking about moving to Canada. Best practices and advice vary greatly depending on the immigration path to residency you have chosen.

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If a person is pregnant and plans to move to Canada, they should understand the visa requirements they need. In the case of temporary residency, people who have a tourist visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), international students or temporary foreign workers cannot be turned away just because they are pregnant. 

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Most importantly, a pregnant woman cannot be denied entry to Canada solely because of her pregnancy.

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However, there are factors for admission to Canada that could be influenced by a person's pregnancy. In addition, it is important to be honest throughout the immigration process. Anyone who is suspicious or found to be concealing a pregnancy or misrepresenting their status could be inadmissible for entry.

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Today, we will discuss some of the most important considerations people should consider if moving to Canada while pregnant.

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Temporary residence

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There are a variety of visa categories that fall under the banner of temporary residency. 

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These include:

• Persons with a tourist visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA)
• International students
• Temporary foreign workers

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If you enter Canada on any of these visa or permit categories, you cannot be denied entry altogether because of your pregnancy. 

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However, when the customs and immigration officer is deciding on your admissibility to Canada, they are charged with assessing your case based on three different criteria:

• Do the applicants have sufficient funds?
• Will they leave Canada at the end of their authorized period of stay?
• Are they admissible?

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It is not considered fraud to give birth in Canada while on a temporary resident visa. However, pregnant persons wishing to enter Canada on one of these visas or permits must demonstrate your ability to pay out-of-pocket for all medical care related to the birth, sums which can be quite high. 

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While the numbers are not accurately tracked, the Government of Canada believes that several thousand children are born each year to parents who are temporary residents in Canada. This means that your babies are eligible for birthright citizenship because they were born on Canadian soil.

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If it is clear to the officer, based on the lack of a return ticket or other evidence, that you intend to give birth in Canada, that does not disqualify you from entry. It just means that he or she will probably ask you whether you have sufficient funds to pay these expenses and whether you intend to leave at the end of your authorized stay.

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Permanent residence

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Like persons seeking a temporary resident visa, persons seeking a temporary resident visa may also be eligible to apply for a temporary resident visa.

If you are applying for a visa to enter Canada and you are pregnant, you must inform your employer that you are not ineligible to apply for a Canadian permanent residence visa because of your pregnancy.

immediately to the Ministry of Immigration IRCC. This is because your pregnancy is a change in your health that affects your current application. Failure to declare your pregnancy could be seen as a misrepresentation, which could affect your admission.

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Individuals applying for permanent residence must submit several supporting documents, including a report of their immigration medical examination (IME). You will still have to undergo an IME, even if you apply during pregnancy. It is possible that some parts of the exam may be postponed until after you give birth. However, this means that your application will be delayed until all medical requirements are met.

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What happens once your child is born?

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One of the reasons why entering or moving to Canada during pregnancy is attractive to some parents is because Canada offers birthright citizenship to all babies born on Canadian soil. This citizenship is not influenced by the residency or immigration status of the baby's parents.

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The only exception is for children of foreign diplomats born on Canadian soil. In this situation, the birth can be registered in Canada by means of a provincial birth certificate, but the child is not entitled to a Canadian passport or Canadian citizenship.

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Medical care for your newborn

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In Canada, newborns are eligible for provincial health care from the day they are born. Your eligibility does not change based on your parents' insurance status. However, foreign parents are not entitled to Canadian public health care for the birth of your child.

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To protect your health, it is essential that parents new to Canada obtain private health insurance if they are not eligible for provincial health care.

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Obtaining private health insurance if moving to Canada during pregnancy

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If you are pregnant and moving to Canada, either temporarily or permanently, it is essential that you protect yourself with private health insurance. Even if you are coming as a new permanent resident, there will still be a period of weeks to months (depending on your province) when you will not be able to enroll in provincial health care. Private health insurance can help ensure that you don't have to pay out-of-pocket for emergencies or even routine doctor visits.

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There are several important things to consider to ensure a smooth and stress-free application process:

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Medical examination requirements

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One of the first things to consider when applying for a Canadian visa while pregnant is the medical examination requirement. In many cases, applicants for temporary or permanent stays to Canada must undergo a medical examination, which includes a physical examination, blood tests and chest x-rays. Pregnant women are exempt from the chest x-ray requirement, but must undergo the other aspects of the medical examination. It is important to note that the medical examination must be performed by a designated physician from the panel approved by the Canadian government.

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Travel restrictions

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As a pregnant woman, it is important to consider any travel restrictions that may apply to your specific situation. Some airlines have restrictions on flying during pregnancy, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.

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In addition, some countries may have travel restrictions for pregnant women due to Zika virus concerns or other health risks. Be sure to check with your airline and the Canadian government for any restrictions that may apply to your situation.

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Medical coverage

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It is important to consider health care coverage when traveling to Canada during pregnancy. Canadian healthcare is publicly funded and available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, temporary visitors to Canada may need to purchase private health insurance to cover any medical expenses incurred during your stay. Pregnant women may require additional medical care during their stay, so it is important to ensure that you have adequate health coverage.

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Time of travel

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The timing of your travel to Canada is also an important consideration when applying for a visa while you are pregnant. It is important to consider your due date and how far along you are in your pregnancy during your trip. Traveling during the first or second trimester may be less risky than traveling during the third trimester, when there is a higher risk of complications. In addition, it is important to consider any travel plans that may interfere with your prenatal care or delivery plans. 

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Support system

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Finally, it is important to consider your support system when traveling to Canada during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be stressful, and having a support system in place can make all the difference. This may include family or friends who can help you during your stay in Canada or a health care provider who can provide prenatal care and support during your trip.

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In conclusion, if you are pregnant and plan to apply for a visa to Canada, there are several important things to consider to ensure a smooth and stress-free application process. This includes understanding medical examination requirements, travel restrictions that may apply, health care coverage, the timing of your trip and your support system. 

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