baby on the way with visa in process

[Taetag girl 0]

Hello all,

I am an intended immigrant (currently Canadian & living in Canada, married to an American) with a CR1 visa application in process. We were married this past August and had our application package sent off in November. It was approved and our case is now in process. Here's the current dilemma: We have just become aware that despite birth control efforts I am pregnant and I'm due this August. According to the current processing times, (and correct me if I'm wrong) it seems like we are probably looking at about 8-9 months total wait time from the point we were approved.... so it looks like my interview would probably take place very close to the time that the baby is due and (God willing) we should expect to move to the states within a month (give or take) from baby's arrival - either before or after. We are quite aware that being pregnant will not help speed along the immigration process so it's a little unnerving to know that it's all likely going to happen around the same time - we can't really even be sure of where I'll give birth (Canada or the US)

Although we're thankful for this baby, obviously this is a complicated situation which we hadn't planned on and I am just wondering if the baby is born in Canada before I am granted my visa, how complicated things will get at that point... Can anyone tell me what the next step would be after that (would we need to go to the American embassy in Canada to register baby or can we just move as planned with baby already considered an American citizen because my husband (baby's father) is American? I know that as long as the child has one American parent he/she will be granted American status because of that fact as long as he/she resides in the States, which will be the case once I'm granted my visa... but if baby is born before that happens, the baby will obviously stay with me in Canada until I can move to the States with my husband. Since the move will likely not occur more than a month or so after the baby's birth though, do I need to make a trip to Montreal (from Toronto) to register the baby's birth or can I just wait until we move and register in the states? Would that cause huge issues at the border when we move if we all of a sudden have a baby with us??

Please help!

Thank you

[TimeTravel 78]

It wont make your process complicated at any stage. Your baby would be a USC, and you guys would require to visit US Embassy to register and get the US passport for baby to travel.

[Taetag girl 0]

Okay, so my husband who is now residing in the states would need to come to canada after the baby is born, we'd need to make the trip from toronto to montreal to the embassy, and then wait on a passport in order to travel?

Seems simple enough, but still a bit of a pain, especially if we are approved right around the same time as the baby is born and then we only have a certain time frame to get to the States. I really hope we are approved before the baby comes... seems like it would be much easier just to give birth in the states!!

[AmericanExpat 18]

Hello all,

I am an intended immigrant (currently Canadian & living in Canada, married to an American) with a CR1 visa application in process. We were married this past August and had our application package sent off in November. It was approved and our case is now in process. Here's the current dilemma: We have just become aware that despite birth control efforts I am pregnant and I'm due this August. According to the current processing times, (and correct me if I'm wrong) it seems like we are probably looking at about 8-9 months total wait time from the point we were approved.... so it looks like my interview would probably take place very close to the time that the baby is due and (God willing) we should expect to move to the states within a month (give or take) from baby's arrival - either before or after. We are quite aware that being pregnant will not help speed along the immigration process so it's a little unnerving to know that it's all likely going to happen around the same time - we can't really even be sure of where I'll give birth (Canada or the US)

Although we're thankful for this baby, obviously this is a complicated situation which we hadn't planned on and I am just wondering if the baby is born in Canada before I am granted my visa, how complicated things will get at that point... Can anyone tell me what the next step would be after that (would we need to go to the American embassy in Canada to register baby or can we just move as planned with baby already considered an American citizen because my husband (baby's father) is American? I know that as long as the child has one American parent he/she will be granted American status because of that fact as long as he/she resides in the States, which will be the case once I'm granted my visa... but if baby is born before that happens, the baby will obviously stay with me in Canada until I can move to the States with my husband. Since the move will likely not occur more than a month or so after the baby's birth though, do I need to make a trip to Montreal (from Toronto) to register the baby's birth or can I just wait until we move and register in the states? Would that cause huge issues at the border when we move if we all of a sudden have a baby with us??

Please help!

Thank you

If you can do it in the States, do it that way. Much simpler... Never know, the kid might want to run for President someday, need to be born in the US to do that

[Ryan H 3,813]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to CRBA forum.

**Organizer hat off**

Okay, so my husband who is now residing in the states would need to come to canada after the baby is born, we'd need to make the trip from toronto to montreal to the embassy, and then wait on a passport in order to travel?

Seems simple enough, but still a bit of a pain, especially if we are approved right around the same time as the baby is born and then we only have a certain time frame to get to the States. I really hope we are approved before the baby comes... seems like it would be much easier just to give birth in the states!!

The US Embassy in Canada is located in Ottawa, not Montreal. Additionally, you would probably not need to go to Ottawa or Montreal for the CRBA process since a US Consulate is located in Toronto.

This link from the US Consulate in Toronto explains the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) process: http://toronto.usconsulate.gov/service/consular-report-of-birth-abroad.html

[Taetag girl 0]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to CRBA forum.

**Organizer hat off**

The US Embassy in Canada is located in Ottawa, not Montreal. Additionally, you would probably not need to go to Ottawa or Montreal for the CRBA process since a US Consulate is located in Toronto.

This link from the US Consulate in Toronto explains the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) process: http://toronto.usconsulate.gov/service/consular-report-of-birth-abroad.html

I know there is one in Ottawa but we were told we need to go to Montreal for the CR1 interview when the time comes. I just assumed I'd need to go to Montreal to register the baby as well but yes that would be much simpler if we can go to the one in Toronto! I know that the consulate in Toronto doesn't deal with CR1 visas which is frustrating but I suppose since we aren't talking about immigration when it comes to the baby they can probably take care of the birth registration/passport stuff for us at least. I'll look into it but that's promising. Thanks!

[belinda63 3,039]

It's a fairly straight-forward process to obtain the papers for the baby. Ignorance showing here....do you really need the passport to cross the border or will the CRBA suffice? I know some places used to accept just a US birth certificate as proof but don't know if they still do. If so this would save some time, just obtaining the report of birth in Canada and getting a passport later.

[Ms Hogan 295]

If I were in your boat I would make the plans to have the baby in Canada and not worry about where you are in your process. With your timing you'll be very close BUT you can also delay your applications at certain points if you feel you need to gain a little more time. Once you DO wind up doing your interview you'll have 6 months to do your entry. Your husband can file for the citizenship papers for baby. YOU can have your baby in a health care system you are familiar with and not have to worry about whether or not you're covered on your husband's insurance policy yet and things like that! Enjoy your pregnancy, you have a beautiful gift on its way and when you're all ready you can move together! That's my opinion.