Giving birth while on U.S. immigrant visa in Canada

[Soup 0]

Hi you all,

My husband and I have received our immigrant visas last week. I am pregnant and the due day is in a few weeks.

We are not ready to go for POE as of yet and we are planning to do that after the birth of the child, either through land or the YVR airport. I was wondering what paperwork I should have for the baby to "POE" besides birth certificate or hospital birth papers.

Does the baby need a visa? Does he need a passport?

We are planning to ship our boxes from Canada to the U.S. instead of using a UHaul truck.

Thanks you so very much for your attention.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It appears that your child will be allowed to enter the US without a visa pursuant to section 1(b) of the attached: http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-11261/0-0-0-15844/0-0-0-15852.html . I don't know how long after the child is born you intend to enter the US on your visas but make sure you do have the child's registered birth certificate in hand before you go - and it would probably be a good idea to have a Canadian passport as well.

Here is more official information as well: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87519.pdf

Edited June 9, 2013 by Kathryn41

[hikergirl 277]

If you are flying from YVR the baby will definitely need a passport right away.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/724/related/1/~/traveling-with-children---minors-under-18-years-of-age-traveling-to-another

[Soup 0]

Hi Kathryn41,

Thanks for your response, very much appreciate it.

I will look into your link carefully and I may take the child a few weeks after being born, but not too sure about the plan yet, but definitely before my visa expires.

It appears that your child will be allowed to enter the US without a visa pursuant to section 1(b) of the attached: http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-11261/0-0-0-15844/0-0-0-15852.html . I don't know how long after the child is born you intend to enter the US on your visas but make sure you do have the child's registered birth certificate in hand before you go - and it would probably be a good idea to have a Canadian passport as well.

Here is more official information as well: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87519.pdf

Hi hikergirl,

Thanks for your reminder.

I will make sure I get a passport for the newborn before I head to the U.S. for POE. Thanks a bunch!

How long do you think the birth certificate will be issued after birth?

If you are flying from YVR the baby will definitely need a passport right away.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/724/related/1/~/traveling-with-children---minors-under-18-years-of-age-traveling-to-another

[hikergirl 277]

Hi hikergirl,

Thanks for your reminder.

I will make sure I get a passport for the newborn before I head to the U.S. for POE. Thanks a bunch!

How long do you think the birth certificate will be issued after birth?

I’m not from BC but I looked at their Vital Statistics Agency and you can register your baby on-line and order a birth certificate at the same time. I’m thinking it will be quicker perhaps than other provinces. Just make sure you order a “Parental Birth Certificate” as it will have both parents names on it and that is the one required for a passport and many other things.

http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/births/breg.html

[Soup 0]

Very helpful hikergirl, I have bookmarked this link! Thanks so very much!

I’m not from BC but I looked at their Vital Statistics Agency and you can register your baby on-line and order a birth certificate at the same time. I’m thinking it will be quicker perhaps than other provinces. Just make sure you order a “Parental Birth Certificate” as it will have both parents names on it and that is the one required for a passport and many other things.

http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/births/breg.html

[NikLR 13,227]

For the registration it can take up to 8 weeks. You send it in before you leave the hospital. Make sure your husband signs it as well so that his name is on the birth certificate! The birth certificate will be mailed to you (BC is good for stuff like this) when the birth is registered. After that you can get a passport. If you go to a Service Canada location you are supposed to give 6 weeks (normally takes about 3) but a passport office is much faster if you're close to one.

It's good that you're waiting to POE anyhow. If your due date is in a few weeks they won't let you fly and taking advantage of your Canadian health care is a good idea.

Edited June 13, 2013 by NikiR