How much does childbirth cost in Canada and the USA for non-residents
How much does it cost to have a baby in Canada versus the US? Which country has better healthcare? Where is it cheaper? Is it legal? Let's break it down.
Is birth tourism legal in Canada?
Birth tourism is popular in Canada because it's one of the few developed countries that grants citizenship to any child born on Canadian soil, regardless of the parents' citizenship or visa status. This practice is completely legal, and tourist visas are obtained through the usual process. However, pregnant women may be denied a visa without explanation, so it's important to prove your intention to return home and your financial stability. It's much easier to get a visa if you have a receipt for medical services and a letter from the delivering doctor.
What benefits does Canadian citizenship offer to newborns and their parents?
For parents, there are no immediate benefits. The child's citizenship doesn't affect the parents' immigration status, citizenship, or residency. As a Canadian citizen, the child is entitled to free healthcare and education. Upon reaching adulthood, they can sponsor their parents to immigrate to Canada.
How much does it cost to give birth in Canada with or without insurance?
Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system called Medicare. If you're a citizen or permanent resident, you can access this healthcare system. In this case, giving birth would be either completely free or cost a couple hundred dollars for a private room.
Tourists and non-residents must pay out of pocket if they don't have international health insurance to cover the expenses. The cost of giving birth in Canada without insurance or access to the Canadian Medicare system is shown in the table below:
| Medical Procedures in Canada | Average Cost Without Insurance | Average Cost With International Insurance or Medicare |
| Prenatal doctor visit and care, cost per visit | $150 — $200 | $0 |
| Prenatal ultrasound | $400 — $600 | $0 — $300 |
| Natural childbirth in hospital | $8,000 — $12,000 | $0 — $1,000 |
| Cesarean section in hospital | $12,000 — $15,000 | $0 — $1,000 |
| Home birth with midwife | $3,000 | $1,000 — $3,000 |
Prices are in Canadian dollars and are current for 2024-2025.
In British Columbia, for example, where birth tourism is common, there are agents who offer service packages for expectant mothers. This includes obstetrician services, three months of accommodation (including one month after birth) without meals or prenatal care, costing around $30,000 CAD (about $22,000 USD). The total amount will be higher when including round-trip flights, meals, and other expenses. However, it may be cheaper in other provinces (such as Quebec).
How much does it cost in the US?
Prices vary greatly between states. In New York and Los Angeles, the cost for just giving birth will be over $25,000 USD, in Miami it's 10-12 thousand, and in Salt Lake City it's 8-10 thousand. If we consider an all-inclusive package in Salt Lake City, it would be around 25-30 thousand US dollars (including flights, meals, and 2-3 months accommodation for two adults and a newborn).
In summary, prices in Canada and the US are not very different, averaging around 25,000 US dollars.
So where is it better?
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Healthcare in Canada is among the best in the world and can easily compete with American healthcare. Canadian citizenship is just as good as American, and the quality of life in Canada is higher in many aspects (safety, access to education, etc.) than in the US. However, most birth tourists go to the US because the process there is well-established, with many providers offering all-inclusive services. In Canada, this business sector is less developed. Nevertheless, birth tourism in Canada is five times higher than official statistics show.
In 2024, birth tourism in Canada reached 5,219 cases across all provinces, more than doubling the figures from the pandemic period. British Columbia and Ontario remain particularly popular destinations. Experts predict further growth in this practice, especially considering changes in US policy regarding birthright citizenship.
If you're seriously considering giving birth in Canada, we recommend using the services of the Canadian Service Center. The center arranges all-inclusive births in Canada's best clinics. It's the only company that legally organizes births in Canada under contract. The center's staff provide documents for border crossing and meet clients to resolve any issues with immigration officers.
How long do mothers and babies stay in Canadian hospitals after birth?
After a natural birth, mothers typically stay in Canadian hospitals for 2-3 days. For cesarean sections, the stay is extended to about 4 days.
How do I register my child in Canada?
Each province or territory has its own process for registering your child's birth, so you should check with local authorities for specific information. For example, in Ontario, a child must be registered within 30 days of birth.
After registering your child's birth and receiving the birth certificate as proof of Canadian citizenship, you can apply for your child's Canadian passport. To do this, you need to:
- Complete the current child passport application form, available on the official Canadian government website
- Have the birth certificate
- Provide two passport photos
- Find a guarantor (this can be the doctor who cared for the child in the first days after birth)
- Pay the applicable fees
- Submit all documents to a Canadian passport office or mail them according to the current requirements on Canada.ca
