Pregnant and Moving to Canada? What You Need to Know About Canadian Immigration While Pregnant

There’s a lot of contradictory advice out there about immigration and visa applications in Canada for people who are pregnant. If you’re in this situation, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed. That makes sense! There’s a lot going on for you personally, and the immigration uncertainty might be adding to an already long list of to-do’s before the baby arrives. We’re here to help.  

Before we dive deeper into this topic, we wanted to highlight the most important takeaway: pregnant people cannot be refused entry to Canada based on their pregnancy alone. 

However, it’s important to understand what your obligations are (you need to be honest, for one!). That’s why we’re discussing some of the most important considerations individuals should consider if they move to Canada or apply for a Canadian visa or permit while pregnant. 

Does Pregnancy Affect Your Visa Application to Canada?

In short, not directly. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cannot discriminate against you because you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. But, there are ways that being pregnant can affect your visa application or other immigration application to Canada.  

Temporary Residency in Canada While Pregnant 

As we outlined above, being pregnant won’t directly impact your ability to temporarily stay in Canada – either as a visitor, international student or temporary foreign worker. It’s not fraud to give birth in Canada as a temporary resident. In fact, it’s legal. Here’s what IRCC say on this topic:  

Giving birth in Canada does not represent a violation of any terms or conditions that may be applied to a temporary resident. Thus, there is no provision in the IRPA to refuse a temporary resident visa (TRV) solely on the basis of the intent of the applicant to give birth in Canada. 

Numbers aren’t accurately tracked, but it’s widely believed that several thousand babies are born every year to temporary residents of Canada. In other words, you aren’t alone in your journey as a temporary resident in Canada who is also pregnant.  

Factors That May Impact Your Canadian Visa Application When Pregnant 

But there are factors that may impact whether you’re able to travel to Canada as a temporary resident if you are pregnant. 

When an immigration official is deciding on your admissibility into Canada, they are charged with evaluating your case based on three different criteria: 

• Do applicants have sufficient funds, including to pay out-of-pocket for birth-related expenses? 
• Will they leave Canada at the end of their period of authorized stay? 
• Are they admissible? 

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 you will likely be asked whether you have sufficient funds to pay for these expenses and questioned on whether you intend to leave at the end of your authorized stay. 

If you don’t have sufficient funds to pay your out-of-pocket expenses for birth (likely between $15,000-$30,000), then you may face issues when coming into Canada as a temporary resident. The same is true if you can’t satisfy IRCC or the border guard that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. Having a return ticket can be helpful here.  

What If You Give Birth Before Your Temporary Resident Visa Application is Finalized? 

Once you give birth, you need to update your family information with IRCC. This is true for all applicants – whether you’re inside Canada or outside Canada at the time you give birth. 

Again, it’s true that IRCC can’t discriminate against you for either pregnancy or family status. But, giving birth and adding a family member can have trickle on effects when it comes to your eligibility.  

For example, you having a child may impact things like the proof of funds you need to support your application to stay in Canada temporarily. You may need to show additional funds to support yourself and your baby while in Canada.

Applying for Permanent Residency While Pregnant 

People applying for Canadian permanent residence are not automatically ineligible based on either the principal applicant or accompanying family member being pregnant. But it may impact the timing of your application.  

The main reason for this is that being pregnant can impact your ability to complete all the requirements of an Independent Medical Examination (IME). IMEs are required for permanent resident applications for Canada.  

Medical Examination and Visa Requirements

People who apply for permanent residency in Canada must submit various supporting documents, including a report from their immigration medical exam (IME). Some temporary residency applicants will also need to provide an IME report.

You will still need to undergo an IME, even if you apply while pregnant. But some parts of the exam may be postponed until after you give birth. This means your application will be delayed until all medical requirements are met. 

What If You Give Birth Before Your Permanent Residence Application is Finalized? 

Once you give birth, you need to update your family information with IRCC. This can have trickle effects on things like the proof of funds you need to support your application for permanent residence.  

IRCC requires you to send a webform advising that you have a new dependent child. At this time, you will also need to pay any additional fees to add the child to your application, as well as provide all the necessary supporting documents to add the child. Exactly what is needed depends on the type of application submitted.  

It’s generally advised to do this as soon as possible after you give birth.  

Entering Canada While Pregnant 

Some of the forms you may need to fill out if you’re entering Canada and pregnant may be confusing. Hopefully, we can clear up some confusion for you.  

If you’re asked on an application form if you have any accompanying family members that have any physical or mental disorders that may require social or health services during your stay in Canada, you may say no. Pregnancy is not normally viewed as a medical condition. You can read more on this official government website. 

But, you also shouldn’t deliberately mislead the Canadian government, either at the border or in your application, about your pregnancy. There are cases where people have been found to have misrepresented themselves by not disclosing certain factors around pregnancy. This comes up when:  

• You don’t disclose your financial ability to cover the costs of treatment;  
• You don’t disclose how having the child may impact your intent to leave Canada when your authorized stay ends; or  
• There are facts about the pregnancy that may impact the determination of your application (like if you’re pregnant with someone else’s child while applying for the spousal class). 

The Canadian government notes:  

“Therefore, in some cases, the intentional concealment of intent to give birth in Canada may lead to an examination of admissibility under section 40 of the IRPA.” 

In other words, it’s important to be transparent about your pregnancy if it could impact an immigration or entry decision.  

Getting Private Health Insurance If You’re Moving to Canada While Pregnant 

If you’re pregnant and moving to Canada, protecting yourself with private health insurance isn’t just smart — it’s essential. Even as a new permanent resident, most provinces impose a waiting period of weeks to months before you can enroll in provincial healthcare. During that window, any medical visit, complication, or emergency comes entirely out of pocket.

That’s where private coverage makes a real difference. It ensures you and your baby are protected from day one — covering everything from routine prenatal check-ups to unexpected emergencies, with no gap in care.

We’ve partnered with Cigna Healthcare, a trusted international health insurer, to help newcomers find coverage that fits. Cigna Healthcare offers:

• Flexible family plans designed for people in transition between countries
• 24/7 access to medical support, wherever you are in Canada
• Maternity and newborn coverage so you’re protected throughout your pregnancy
• Fast, straightforward claims — so you’re never left waiting when it matters most

Ready to explore your options? Get a free quote from Cigna Healthcare today →

Your FAQs About Pregnancy During Visa Application

Is it misrepresentation to not tell IRCC that you’re pregnant when you apply for a work permit or permanent residency in Canada?

This is a bit of a grey area. But we contacted the IRCC’s rep mail box for an answer on this. This is how they responded:

For work permit applications, there is no requirement to inform IRCC that you are pregnant.  However, the work permit applicant may wish to inform the employer should the pregnancy affect their ability to perform the work listed on the job offer as the employer must remain compliant with the job offer conditions under IRCC’s and ESDC’s regulations.

For permanent residence applications, there is generally no requirement to inform IRCC of a pregnancy. That said, pregnancy may affect the processing of the application, which can make disclosure necessary in practice. For example, applicants are typically required to undergo an immigration medical examination, and if pregnancy prevents completion of any part of the exam, IRCC should be informed. Further, if a child is born before the applicant becomes a permanent resident, the child must be added to the application.

Can a pregnant woman apply for a student visa in Canada? 

Yes. Pregnancy does not make you ineligible for a Canadian study permit. IRCC focuses on whether you meet the usual requirements: a valid letter of acceptance, proof of funds, ties to your home country and any other requested documents. However, you should be able to show you can cover medical costs, since pregnancy-related care may not be covered by public or private healthcare, especially during waiting periods. 

Can a pregnant woman apply for a work visa in Canada? 

Yes. Pregnancy does not affect eligibility for a Canadian work permit. Officers assess your job offer, qualifications, and ability to comply with visa conditions — not your pregnancy. That said, you should be financially prepared for medical expenses and any period of leave required for maternity, since you likely won’t be eligible for maternity benefits.

Being pregnant may impact your ability to do the duties listed in your job offer so you may decide to inform your Canadian employer to see if any accommodations can be made, and if they are, what impact that will have on the work permit conditions.  

Can a pregnant woman apply for a Canada visa? 

Yes, pregnant people cannot be refused entry to Canada based on their pregnancy alone. 

Can I get PR if I have a baby in Canada? 

Not necessarily, because having a baby in Canada does not automatically give the parents permanent residence. The child will be a Canadian citizen by birth, but this does not grant immigration status to the parents. Parents must still qualify for PR through programs like Express Entry, PNPs, or family sponsorship later. 

Can you travel 7 months pregnant to Canada? 

This depends on your airline and your health. Being 7 months pregnant doesn’t mean you won’t be allowed into Canada. There may be airline restrictions that make it harder to travel by air to Canada.  

Further Resources for Pregnant Women Immigrating to Canada

• Looking for a clear explanation of how healthcare works in Canada? Our article, Canadian Healthcare System
• Read our article on How to Get a Prescription in Canada, an essential guide for newcomers.