Canadian Husband/American Wife who's pregnant... help?

[cassiebroadway]

My husband is Canadian and I'm American. We were married in America over two years ago. We're expecting our first in November and want to move to Ontario from Illinois this December.

Should we apply for my permanent residency before we move back to Canada? Or can we just apply after we're there? My child will already be covered with health care and I wont be working, so I'm not all that concerned about applying now. I just want to make sure I'll be allowed into the country. Medical coverage under my husband's plan would also be nice, but that wouldn't be completely necessary. Please let me know!

 

[iarblue]

Your child will be born Canadian you just have to apply for the certificate.You can come here and apply outland if you like.You just have to get here right.
And you can apply before you come here to and apply outland if you like.It seems if you have a PR process in and your American it seems that if you bring all the proof you have applied and proof of the fees,and show them you understand the laws of visiting,like extending the visit,it seems they have no problem with that.Also a copy of your account to show you have enough money to support yourself here even if it is joint.

 

[heatherusa]

My husband is Canadian and I'm American. We were married in America over two years ago. We're expecting our first in November and want to move to Ontario from Illinois this December.

Should we apply for my permanent residency before we move back to Canada? Or can we just apply after we're there? My child will already be covered with health care and I wont be working, so I'm not all that concerned about applying now. I just want to make sure I'll be allowed into the country. Medical coverage under my husband's plan would also be nice, but that wouldn't be completely necessary. Please let me know!

I don't know very much about Ontario (Alberta here) but I recall reading on one of these threads that it takes 90 days to be covered by OHIP so that might make a difference in what you do as your US insurance would have to be valid in Canada.

You can apply now for the residency as you are both living outside of Canada, and then return within the validity of your permanent residency visa.

My husband and I are in Michigan and we have applied outland - it is supposed to be faster than inland. If you start now with the FBI check (which takes about 3 months) you should be right on track to move in December.

 

[can_usa_97]

I don't know very much about Ontario (Alberta here) but I recall reading on one of these threads that it takes 90 days to be covered by OHIP so that might make a difference in what you do as your US insurance would have to be valid in Canada.

You can apply now for the residency as you are both living outside of Canada, and then return within the validity of your permanent residency visa.

My husband and I are in Michigan and we have applied outland - it is supposed to be faster than inland. If you start now with the FBI check (which takes about 3 months) you should be right on track to move in December.

Ontario is the same - we are fretting the timing of my kids - because I see it takes 10 months for the certificate of citizenship to arrive - so upto 13 months without coverage.

To the OP - should your baby be born IN Canada however - immediate coverage at birth.

 

[heatherusa]

To the OP - should your baby be born IN Canada however - immediate coverage at birth.

Now, I did not know that, but that does make sense. So would the period in the hospital prior to birth be covered in that case?

Ontario is the same - we are fretting the timing of my kids - because I see it takes 10 months for the certificate of citizenship to arrive - so upto 13 months without coverage.

I think that you should still be able to get them OHIP by providing their birth certificates to prove that they are entitled to citizenship (don't know for sure but the embassy may be able to tell you).

Now I am gonna have to go look at what AB requires!

 

[cassiebroadway]

I don't know very much about Ontario (Alberta here) but I recall reading on one of these threads that it takes 90 days to be covered by OHIP so that might make a difference in what you do as your US insurance would have to be valid in Canada.

You can apply now for the residency as you are both living outside of Canada, and then return within the validity of your permanent residency visa.

My husband and I are in Michigan and we have applied outland - it is supposed to be faster than inland. If you start now with the FBI check (which takes about 3 months) you should be right on track to move in December.

Thanks for the info! It's good to know that applying now wouldn't be too late. I guess I better just apply outland rather than put it off til after we get there... I'm just so antsy when it comes to immigration stuff

 

[cassiebroadway]

Ontario is the same - we are fretting the timing of my kids - because I see it takes 10 months for the certificate of citizenship to arrive - so upto 13 months without coverage.

To the OP - should your baby be born IN Canada however - immediate coverage at birth.

I would have immediate coverage at birth? Or my baby would? Because I talked to the Canadian Consulate in Chicago and they informed me that my baby would have immediate coverage at birth as soon as we moved into Canada.

 

[heatherusa]

Thanks for the info! It's good to know that applying now wouldn't be too late. I guess I better just apply outland rather than put it off til after we get there... I'm just so antsy when it comes to immigration stuff

If you wait until you get there you wont be able to work for quite some time and you run the risk (however small) of being told that you cant stay when you get to the border because you wont have an application in process and the 'danger' of you not leaving is greater because of your husband and child. If you have the luxury of time you should definitely begin the process now.

 

[cassiebroadway]

If you wait until you get there you wont be able to work for quite some time and you run the risk (however small) of being told that you cant stay when you get to the border because you wont have an application in process and the 'danger' of you not leaving is greater because of your husband and child. If you have the luxury of time you should definitely begin the process now.

I don't plan on working anyway... but yes, the prospect of not being allowed in is reason enough!

 

[iarblue]

Heather is right i would apply right away it betters your chance of getting in.And you baby is covered by OHIP as soon as the little one is born.

 

[can_usa_97]

The baby is covered for their portion, provided they are born in Canada. Mom would not be.
(in what I've found)

You would have to wait 3 months from when you landed to be covered.
If you file for the certificate of citizenship from outside - you also have to wait the 3 months.

 

[cassiebroadway]

The baby is covered for their portion, provided they are born in Canada. Mom would not be.
(in what I've found)

You would have to wait 3 months from when you landed to be covered.
If you file for the certificate of citizenship from outside - you also have to wait the 3 months.

According to an immigration lawyer and a Canadian Consulate, baby would be covered in full at birth... even when born in the US.

 

[can_usa_97]

According to an immigration lawyer and a Canadian Consulate, baby would be covered in full at birth... even when born in the US.

Interesting. I was going off the OHIP's website where it states;

"OHIP coverage normally becomes effective three months after the date you establish residency in Ontario. The ministry strongly encourages new and returning residents to purchase private health insurance in case you become ill during the OHIP waiting period."

I'm actually quite confused now, given this;
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/eligibility.html

 

[can_usa_97]

According to this page - http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/wait.html

it doesn't list babies born abroad.

 

[cassiebroadway]

Interesting. I was going off the OHIP's website where it states;

"OHIP coverage normally becomes effective three months after the date you establish residency in Ontario. The ministry strongly encourages new and returning residents to purchase private health insurance in case you become ill during the OHIP waiting period."

That says 'RETURNING RESIDENTS', which my baby will not be. My baby will be a citizen of Canada at birth.