Question about U.S citizenship of Baby

[carmel34 3,741]

Here's a slightly different perspective on this hot button issue.  I was born a dual citizen of both the US and Canada, and I have lived about half of my life in each country.  I have seen the advantages and disadvantages of both, have two degrees from US universities, and one from a Canadian university.  I received my K-12 education in Canada, and saw the K-12 system first-hand as a parent in the US.  Here are my opinions on the two countries, for the benefit of OP and anyone else who is interested for future reference.

 

Canada has a better K-12 system, the US a better university system.  Canada has more affordable health care than the US, at a quality that is almost as good.  The US has more opportunity for business success, with the accompanying problems of a wide disparity of income, i.e., more rich, and more poor.  Canada has a more equal distribution of income, with fewer ultra-rich, yet fewer poor.  The social system in Canada takes care of the poor, the elderly, the handicapped.  The US system does not take care of these people as well.  The culture in the US is much more focused on material wealth, fame, fortune.  The culture in Canada is based on more respect for basic human rights.  The US embraces a melting pot concept for immigrants, where everyone is expected to learn English and to become "American," whereas in Canada cultural diversity is encouraged and immigrants are encouraged to retain their traditions and culture.  The government in Canada, currently, is more welcoming to immigrants than in the US.  Taxes are higher in Canada vs. the US, but services are also better.  Both countries are wealthy economically.  The weather can be cold in most parts of Canada, whereas in the US, there are places like Florida, California, and Arizona that have moderate, warm, or even hot climates.  The US has more people, Canada has more space.  Both countries have cities with high quality of life, and others with the opposite.  The US has the most powerful military force in the world, with a tradition of using it to influence other countries, whereas Canada's is small, and its role in the world is often one of peacemaker.  The two countries are allies, and at one time had the largest economic trade between two nations in the world.  (Now it is US-China.)  Some say that Canadians are more friendly, more laid-back, more modest.  Others say that Americans are more ambitious, self-centered, and obnoxious.  There is a nugget of truth in these stereotypes, but I have known many people on both sides of the border, and no two people are the same.  What kind of life do you want?  What is important to you?  Do you aspire to be a famous actor?  Then move to California or New York.  Do you aspire to be a professional hockey player?  Then move to Toronto or Montreal.  If you love the desert, move to Las Vegas or New Mexico.  If you love ocean views and nature, move to Vancouver Island or Prince Edward Island.  There is a place for every taste, for every interest, in one country or the other.  

 

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that both countries have much to offer.  Because of this, I have known many people who spend summers in Canada and winters in the US, and maintain an official residence in one or the other for citizenship and tax purposes.  The best environment for specific people comes down to personal choice, an individual's career, and opportunities that present themselves in an unexpected way.  I ended up in the US for career reasons.  When I look for job opportunities, I search in both countries and right now I happen to live in the US.  My career is in higher education.  If I were teaching in the K-12 system, I would look in Canada only.  So it depends.  I love both countries.  Both are beautiful in their own ways.  Their histories are intertwined.  I am a citizen of both.  I do not see one country as "better" than the other.  They are both great places to live, to work, to raise a family.  It really comes down to personal choice, and individual circumstances.  So consider all the factors, what is most important to you and your family, and make a decision if you are in a position to have a choice between them.  Do your research and know what you are getting into.  It is difficult to switch permanent residences between the two, so make one your "home," but if you know the laws and follow them carefully, you can enjoy the best of both!

 

Good luck to OP in this journey, and to all the VJ family out there!

[mcdull 474]

7 hours ago, Roel said:

So.... Free Canadian education vs. 50,000$ per year your child will have to pay for his/her US college and probably get into huge debts. I mean... make sense!

And what if your child will NOT want to sponsor you after their 21 birthday? All plan goes to waste.

Free Canadian education? Where?

 

canada is no xanadu 

Edited September 18, 2018 by mcdull

[sanjaysinha84 1]

For those who have provided helpful comments, I greatly appreciate it and I wish you the very best in life!

 

For those who have not provided helpful comments, that's fine. If explaining my case politely didn't help, it is what it is I guess.Life goes on and I wish you the very best in life as well! 🙂

[Lazybones18 261]

Apply visit visa 

come to Usa 1-2 months before expected delivery date 

give birth 

leave Usa 

 

my friend did this he is from Pakistan.. no hiccups it’s very simple. 

 

good luck 

Edited September 18, 2018 by Lazybones18

[Diane and Chris 651]

9 hours ago, geowrian said:

If we're handing out medals, how do I get one?

I don’t know, but, you definitely deserve one!  🏅🏼

[Going through 5,674]

8 hours ago, carmel34 said:

Here's a slightly different perspective on this hot button issue.  I was born a dual citizen of both the US and Canada, and I have lived about half of my life in each country.  I have seen the advantages and disadvantages of both, have two degrees from US universities, and one from a Canadian university.  I received my K-12 education in Canada, and saw the K-12 system first-hand as a parent in the US.  Here are my opinions on the two countries, for the benefit of OP and anyone else who is interested for future reference.

 

Canada has a better K-12 system, the US a better university system.  Canada has more affordable health care than the US, at a quality that is almost as good.  The US has more opportunity for business success, with the accompanying problems of a wide disparity of income, i.e., more rich, and more poor.  Canada has a more equal distribution of income, with fewer ultra-rich, yet fewer poor.  The social system in Canada takes care of the poor, the elderly, the handicapped.  The US system does not take care of these people as well.  The culture in the US is much more focused on material wealth, fame, fortune.  The culture in Canada is based on more respect for basic human rights.  The US embraces a melting pot concept for immigrants, where everyone is expected to learn English and to become "American," whereas in Canada cultural diversity is encouraged and immigrants are encouraged to retain their traditions and culture.  The government in Canada, currently, is more welcoming to immigrants than in the US.  Taxes are higher in Canada vs. the US, but services are also better.  Both countries are wealthy economically.  The weather can be cold in most parts of Canada, whereas in the US, there are places like Florida, California, and Arizona that have moderate, warm, or even hot climates.  The US has more people, Canada has more space.  Both countries have cities with high quality of life, and others with the opposite.  The US has the most powerful military force in the world, with a tradition of using it to influence other countries, whereas Canada's is small, and its role in the world is often one of peacemaker.  The two countries are allies, and at one time had the largest economic trade between two nations in the world.  (Now it is US-China.)  Some say that Canadians are more friendly, more laid-back, more modest.  Others say that Americans are more ambitious, self-centered, and obnoxious.  There is a nugget of truth in these stereotypes, but I have known many people on both sides of the border, and no two people are the same.  What kind of life do you want?  What is important to you?  Do you aspire to be a famous actor?  Then move to California or New York.  Do you aspire to be a professional hockey player?  Then move to Toronto or Montreal.  If you love the desert, move to Las Vegas or New Mexico.  If you love ocean views and nature, move to Vancouver Island or Prince Edward Island.  There is a place for every taste, for every interest, in one country or the other.  

 

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that both countries have much to offer.  Because of this, I have known many people who spend summers in Canada and winters in the US, and maintain an official residence in one or the other for citizenship and tax purposes.  The best environment for specific people comes down to personal choice, an individual's career, and opportunities that present themselves in an unexpected way.  I ended up in the US for career reasons.  When I look for job opportunities, I search in both countries and right now I happen to live in the US.  My career is in higher education.  If I were teaching in the K-12 system, I would look in Canada only.  So it depends.  I love both countries.  Both are beautiful in their own ways.  Their histories are intertwined.  I am a citizen of both.  I do not see one country as "better" than the other.  They are both great places to live, to work, to raise a family.  It really comes down to personal choice, and individual circumstances.  So consider all the factors, what is most important to you and your family, and make a decision if you are in a position to have a choice between them.  Do your research and know what you are getting into.  It is difficult to switch permanent residences between the two, so make one your "home," but if you know the laws and follow them carefully, you can enjoy the best of both!

 

Good luck to OP in this journey, and to all the VJ family out there!

I am dual Canadian/American.  

 

You summed up perfectly and very eloquently exactly how I feel about both countries, as I have lived 28 years in Canada and 15 years in the US.  Now that I am a dual citizen, I will be living pretty much part-time in both countries with my "main base" being the USA with slightly more time here.

 

Much respect for your post---very moving---I wish I could "like" it a million times over!

[Unlockable 7,322]

Kudos to @carmel34 for a well written and excellent assessment of US and CAN.

[VNN 147]

my 1.5 cents

• People are doing this because they want the child to have USC and from that citizenship petitioning them in the future.
  • In case the child does not petition them in the future, they are still kind of happy at the child is a USC.
• It will be more understandable/easier to reason if this thinking comes from developing countries. Canada is not same as US but Canada is not a bad country compared to US in term of education, job opportunity, health-care (listened to some radio shows: Canadians are complaining about the cost of healthcare in Canada)
• It is doable and there are some successfully cases but in these cases I know, people are supporting by their US resided family members. I have never encountered a case which parents did it on their own in US.

It is a master plan, required some planning, stressful moments.

Edited September 18, 2018 by RTLE

[Paul & Marina 53]

He has stated he is not concerned about expense. It seems he only wants baby to be born in US to be citizen. Please don't!!

[MacUK 983]

I have a query which someone here may know the answer to.

 

With the OPs situation it's slightly different from the usual birth tourism threads we see here in that they are not coming from or returning to their own country of citizenship.

So my query is, if they do enter the US, have the baby and get the babies passport all within the 6 months allowed on a tourist visa. Will it be straightforward just taking the baby back to Canada? I admit to having very limited knowledge of Canadian immigration laws but as they are only residents of Canada and not citizens will they have to obtain a Canadian visa for the baby as well before they go back?

[geowrian 22,339]

16 minutes ago, MacUK said:

will they have to obtain a Canadian visa for the baby as well before they go back?

Good question. They could visit with just the passport, but they may have to apply for permanent residency in Canada (and I don't know the rules there for PRs to petition other PRs).

[Chocobo 196]

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

Good question. They could visit with just the passport, but they may have to apply for permanent residency in Canada (and I don't know the rules there for PRs to petition other PRs).

OP had mentioned something about PR being done in 2018 I think?  Maybe citizenship in 2019?  If that's the case and citizenship is completed in 2019, then baby would be a dual citizen...  At the lease though with the VWP between CAN & USA, 6 months would be permitted to go back to Canada but ugh, wouldn't that be horrible if they got turned away at the Canadian border because baby didn't have his/her papers in order?!?!  

 

Wow this is getting complicated...  

[Chocobo 196]

16 hours ago, carmel34 said:

Here's a slightly different perspective on this hot button issue.  I was born a dual citizen of both the US and Canada, and I have lived about half of my life in each country.  I have seen the advantages and disadvantages of both, have two degrees from US universities, and one from a Canadian university.  I received my K-12 education in Canada, and saw the K-12 system first-hand as a parent in the US.  Here are my opinions on the two countries, for the benefit of OP and anyone else who is interested for future reference.

 

Canada has a better K-12 system, the US a better university system.  Canada has more affordable health care than the US, at a quality that is almost as good.  The US has more opportunity for business success, with the accompanying problems of a wide disparity of income, i.e., more rich, and more poor.  Canada has a more equal distribution of income, with fewer ultra-rich, yet fewer poor.  The social system in Canada takes care of the poor, the elderly, the handicapped.  The US system does not take care of these people as well.  The culture in the US is much more focused on material wealth, fame, fortune.  The culture in Canada is based on more respect for basic human rights.  The US embraces a melting pot concept for immigrants, where everyone is expected to learn English and to become "American," whereas in Canada cultural diversity is encouraged and immigrants are encouraged to retain their traditions and culture.  The government in Canada, currently, is more welcoming to immigrants than in the US.  Taxes are higher in Canada vs. the US, but services are also better.  Both countries are wealthy economically.  The weather can be cold in most parts of Canada, whereas in the US, there are places like Florida, California, and Arizona that have moderate, warm, or even hot climates.  The US has more people, Canada has more space.  Both countries have cities with high quality of life, and others with the opposite.  The US has the most powerful military force in the world, with a tradition of using it to influence other countries, whereas Canada's is small, and its role in the world is often one of peacemaker.  The two countries are allies, and at one time had the largest economic trade between two nations in the world.  (Now it is US-China.)  Some say that Canadians are more friendly, more laid-back, more modest.  Others say that Americans are more ambitious, self-centered, and obnoxious.  There is a nugget of truth in these stereotypes, but I have known many people on both sides of the border, and no two people are the same.  What kind of life do you want?  What is important to you?  Do you aspire to be a famous actor?  Then move to California or New York.  Do you aspire to be a professional hockey player?  Then move to Toronto or Montreal.  If you love the desert, move to Las Vegas or New Mexico.  If you love ocean views and nature, move to Vancouver Island or Prince Edward Island.  There is a place for every taste, for every interest, in one country or the other.  

 

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that both countries have much to offer.  Because of this, I have known many people who spend summers in Canada and winters in the US, and maintain an official residence in one or the other for citizenship and tax purposes.  The best environment for specific people comes down to personal choice, an individual's career, and opportunities that present themselves in an unexpected way.  I ended up in the US for career reasons.  When I look for job opportunities, I search in both countries and right now I happen to live in the US.  My career is in higher education.  If I were teaching in the K-12 system, I would look in Canada only.  So it depends.  I love both countries.  Both are beautiful in their own ways.  Their histories are intertwined.  I am a citizen of both.  I do not see one country as "better" than the other.  They are both great places to live, to work, to raise a family.  It really comes down to personal choice, and individual circumstances.  So consider all the factors, what is most important to you and your family, and make a decision if you are in a position to have a choice between them.  Do your research and know what you are getting into.  It is difficult to switch permanent residences between the two, so make one your "home," but if you know the laws and follow them carefully, you can enjoy the best of both!

 

Good luck to OP in this journey, and to all the VJ family out there!

This is kind of a broad brush painting.  Things vary province by province, just like it does in the US state by state.  Some provinces are wonderful with healthcare, jobs, education, etc., and some not so much.  It really depends on where a person wishes to lay down their roots.  Anyone looking to settle down in either US or Canada should carefully look at the state/province and make their decision at that level, rather than broadly at the national level, lest they end up terribly disappointed.

[Ontarkie 14,947]

On 9/18/2018 at 11:36 AM, Chocobo said:

OP had mentioned something about PR being done in 2018 I think?  Maybe citizenship in 2019?  If that's the case and citizenship is completed in 2019, then baby would be a dual citizen...  At the lease though with the VWP between CAN & USA, 6 months would be permitted to go back to Canada but ugh, wouldn't that be horrible if they got turned away at the Canadian border because baby didn't have his/her papers in order?!?!  

 

Wow this is getting complicated...  

 Canada recently changed how one can pass on Canadian citizenship. As neither parent was born in Canada they will not be able to pass on Canadian citizenship to their child if born in the US. Canadian citizenship can only be passed on to a child born outside of Canada if one of the parents were born IN Canada. 

 

OP as a Canadian and mother of 6 that has put 2 kids through University and 1 with a few years left. I know the US has plenty of opportunity but don't let their education system fool you. Canada's system is much better and far less expensive. 

Since you will not be able to pass on Canadian Citizenship to your child you may need to rethink your plan. 

 

Oh and don't get me started labour and delivery here. Stick to having kids in Canada, having experience in both it's not worth the extra money to have kids in the US.