Canadian citizenship by birth

Legal basis for citizenship

Under paragraph 3(1) of the Citizenship Act, any child born on Canadian territory after 14 February 1977 automatically becomes a citizen, whatever the parents' status or nationality.

What the parents get

Parents do not get citizenship automatically. When the child turns 18, they can file a sponsorship application so that the parents can get permanent residence. After that, the parents need to live in Canada for at least 3 years out of 5 to apply for citizenship.

Who else does not get citizenship automatically

Brothers and sisters of a child who is a citizen do not get citizenship automatically, but they can apply under other immigration programs. Grandparents and other relatives do not get citizenship directly through the child.

Entry for the birth

To give birth in Canada you need a category B visitor visa. It is important to prove that you have sufficient funds and health insurance covering the cost of the birth.

The child's documents after birth

1. Registering the birth in the province and the birth certificate, which itself proves the child's Canadian citizenship. The certificate is issued by the province of birth after the birth is registered.
2. A Canadian passport for the child: since 31 March 2026 a 5-year child passport costs $45, when applying in Canada. Since 1 April 2026 a guarantee applies: if a regular application takes longer than 30 business days, the fee is refunded in full.
3. Documents for the parents' country: translation and legalisation of the birth certificate and the parents' citizenship under their own laws.

Passing citizenship to the next generations

Since 15 December 2025 a law has changed how citizenship by descent passes. A child born in Canada is a citizen by birth on the territory, so their own children born abroad will get citizenship automatically. For the next generation born abroad after that date, the Canadian parent must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days before the child's birth. Keep this in mind if the family does not plan to live in Canada.

If you need long stays with your child

The parents sponsorship programme runs on quotas and a lottery, and no new invitations are issued in 2026: only 2025 applications are being processed. While the child is a minor, parents visit as ordinary visitors. The separate visa for parents and grandparents, multiple-entry with stays of up to 5 years per entry, is only available once a child or grandchild aged 18 or over living in Canada can invite them. It requires proof of the host's income and medical insurance.

Cost by item

• hospital birth for foreigners without Canadian coverage - from $11,000 for an uncomplicated birth with doctors, from $22,000 with a caesarean or complications;
• pregnancy and childbirth insurance, if it can be obtained;
• a tourist visa for entry;
• housing before and after the birth;
• child passport - $45.

Exchange rate about 1.43 Canadian dollars per US dollar. Our manager calculates the cost of our support in the chat.

Comparison with other countries for giving birth

Unlike Canada, in Latin America parents get status through a citizen child straight away, not after 18 years.

What to consider before the trip

• Entry requires a visitor visa: the consulate looks at income, ties to your home country and how the family will pay for the birth.
• Ordinary travel insurance often does not cover pregnancy and childbirth, so plan the costs as self-paid.
• Airlines usually restrict flights in late pregnancy, so families arrive early.
• Hospitals often ask foreigners for prepayment, and complications or neonatal care sharply increase the bill.

We help plan the timing, prepare the visa file and choose a hospital and doctor in advance. The first consultation is free, with an instant answer in the chat.

Benefits of a Canadian passport

How to get Canadian citizenship by birth: step by step

FAQ

185 visa-free countries with a Canadian passport