Adding an IVF Child Born During Canadian Sponsorship Processing

Welcoming a new baby through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is an incredible joy for any growing family. 👶 However, if your child is born while your Permanent Residence (PR) application is already in the system, immigration rules require immediate action. Under Canadian immigration law, all family members must be declared and medically examined, even if they are just a few days old.

Failing to declare a newborn can lead to your child being permanently barred from being sponsored in the future under the strict Regulation 117(9)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Whether you plan to live in Toronto, Calgary, or Vancouver, keeping IRCC updated is your most critical responsibility. Here is how you generally update your application to ensure your new baby can travel to Canada with you safely.

Step-by-Step Process in Canada

The process of adding a dependent child differs slightly depending on where the child is born. If the IVF child is born physically in Canada, they are automatically a Canadian citizen and do not need a PR visa. However, if they are born abroad, you must generally follow these steps.

Step 1: Notifying IRCC via the Web Form

The very first thing you must do is raise an IRCC Web Form. You need to inform the processing office that you have had a child and wish to add them to your existing spousal sponsorship application. IRCC will then officially pause your application to give you time to submit the required forms and newborn documents.

Step 2: Gathering the Newborn’s Documents

You must quickly secure the baby’s official government documents. This includes the long-form birth certificate displaying the names of both parents, and a valid national passport for the infant. 📄 If obtaining a passport in your home country takes months, you should explain this to IRCC and provide proof that the passport application is in progress.

Step 3: Paying the Additional Government Fees

Adding a dependent child to a PR application requires paying an extra government processing fee. You must pay this online through the IRCC payment portal and generate a receipt. This receipt must be included in your document package. Fortunately, children under 14 are exempt from the $85 CAD biometrics fee.

Step 4: Completing the Upfront Medical Exam

Every person applying for PR, regardless of age, must pass an immigration medical exam. You must book an appointment with an IRCC-approved Panel Physician. The doctor will perform a very basic physical check on the newborn (no blood tests or X-rays are required for infants) and give you an IMM 1017 eMedical information sheet to submit.

Step 5: Submitting Updated Application Forms

Finally, you must update your original PR forms. You will need to revise the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) and the Additional Family Information form (IMM 5406) to include the new baby’s details. If you are overwhelmed by the paperwork, hiring a local Law Firm or immigration Lawyer is highly recommended to prevent costly mistakes.

How Much Does it Cost in Canada?

Adding a child to your application will involve both government and third-party fees. As of May 2026, expect to pay the following in CAD:

• Dependent Child Processing Fee: $180 CAD payable directly to IRCC.
• Medical Exam Fee: Usually between $100 and $250 CAD, depending on the local Panel Physician’s clinic rates.
• Passport and Certificates: Varies by country, but generally around $50 to $150 CAD.
• Lawyer Fees: If you retain a Law Firm to update your file and liaise with IRCC, expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 CAD.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Adding an infant generally delays your overall PR processing by 2 to 4 months. The exact timeline depends on how fast you can obtain the baby’s passport and complete the medical exam. The IRCC processing centre must review the new medical results and background checks before they can finalize the PR visas for the whole family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Author: lawyerinfo.ca