Birth Tourism: Giving Birth in Canada for Citizenship

The question of obtaining citizenship by birth in Canada remains a relevant topic for many. It's important to understand that Canada is one of the few countries with birthright citizenship, where every child born on Canadian soil automatically becomes a citizen. Despite this opportunity, discussions continue in Canadian society and political circles, although no significant changes in legislation have been made so far.

Why This Topic Matters to Foreigners

For many foreign citizens, having a child born in Canada is a chance to provide their child with access to broader opportunities in the future. Canadian citizenship opens doors to a high standard of living, a free education system, healthcare, and rights and freedoms protected by the country's laws. This makes Canada attractive to those seeking to give their children better living conditions and development opportunities. Many foreign families see this as an important investment in the future, which explains the popularity of giving birth in the country.

Birthright Citizenship in Canada

Canada is one of the few countries that practice jus soli — birthright citizenship. According to this principle, any child born on Canadian soil automatically receives Canadian citizenship, regardless of their parents' citizenship or status. The only exception is children of diplomats. This system makes Canada attractive for "birth tourism," especially among foreign citizens who want their children to obtain Canadian citizenship from birth.

Requirements for Obtaining Citizenship by Birth

Obtaining citizenship in Canada for a newborn doesn't require complex procedures. A child born in the country automatically becomes a citizen at birth when a birth certificate is issued. It's important to understand that the newborn's parents don't gain citizenship or permanent residency rights based on their child's birth unless they are already Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This means that for parents to obtain the right to live in Canada or become citizens, they need to go through standard immigration procedures.

Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

Canadian citizenship offers many advantages for a child. Primarily, it provides the right to free school education and access to public healthcare programs. Additionally, a Canadian citizen can visit many countries visa-free, including the European Union and the USA, making life more mobile. In the future, the child can also apply for government scholarships, subsidies, and social benefits available only to Canadian citizens. This makes Canadian citizenship attractive not only for the child but for their family as a whole.

Opportunities for Parents of a Child Born in Canada

The birth of a child in Canada doesn't automatically grant parents citizenship or permanent residency rights. However, in the future, when the child reaches adulthood, they can apply to sponsor their parents if they meet the requirements of the family immigration program. Thus, parents may eventually have the opportunity to move to Canada permanently through family immigration programs, but this requires meeting certain conditions and going through the appropriate procedures.

Conclusion

Canada remains one of the few countries that grant citizenship based on a child's birth on its territory, making it attractive to foreign citizens who want to secure a better future for their children. However, obtaining citizenship for the child's parents doesn't happen automatically, and they must consider other options for legal residence in the country. The cost of giving birth in Canada for foreigners can be high, especially in private medical facilities, but many families consider it a reasonable investment in the child's future, given all the advantages of Canadian citizenship.