If you get pregnant after submitting your Canadian family sponsorship application, you must inform IRCC via the Webform. This allows you to safely defer the mandatory chest X-ray portion of your medical exam until after you give birth, extending your medical validity without penalty.
Finding out you are expecting a baby is a wonderful moment, but if you are in the middle of a permanent residence application, it can also bring a lot of paperwork questions. When you apply for family sponsorship in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires a standard Immigration Medical Exam (IME). This exam includes a chest X-ray to check for tuberculosis. Because X-rays can pose risks to a developing fetus, the Canadian government has a clear, empathetic process allowing you to pause this specific part of the exam.
You do not need to worry about your application being cancelled simply because you are pregnant. 📍 Whether you are waiting for your PR in Vancouver, British Columbia, or currently living overseas, IRCC officers understand this situation. By proactively updating the government and providing a letter from your doctor or midwife, you protect your health and keep your sponsorship file in good standing.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Informing IRCC of a pregnancy follows a structured, federal process. Since family sponsorship is managed federally, this process applies equally whether you intend to settle in Toronto, Ontario, or Calgary, Alberta.
Step 1: Obtain a Medical Note or Ultrasound
Before you contact IRCC, you need official proof. 🗂 Visit your local doctor, obstetrician, or registered midwife to get a signed medical certificate. This letter should clearly state that you are pregnant and provide your Estimated Date of Delivery (EDD). A copy of your dating ultrasound report can also be included to support your claim.
Step 2: Submit the IRCC Webform
Do not mail physical letters; they often get lost. You must use the official IRCC Webform online. Select ‘Family Sponsorship’ as your application type, enter your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) and application number, and write a brief, polite message explaining your pregnancy. Upload your doctor’s note and ultrasound as a single PDF attachment.
Step 3: Attend the Partial Medical Exam (IME)
When you receive your Medical Report form (IMM 1017E), you must still visit a Panel Physician. 👤 You will complete the blood tests, urine tests, and physical examination. However, you will tell the clinic you are pregnant and wish to defer the chest X-ray. The Panel Physician will notify IRCC that your exam is pending completion due to pregnancy.
Step 4: Complete the X-Ray After Giving Birth
Once your baby is born, you must return to the same Panel Physician to complete the chest X-ray. The clinic will then send the final results to IRCC. At this point, your medical exam is considered complete, and the officer can finalize the security and background checks on your file.
Step 5: Add Your Newborn to the Application (If Applicable)
If your baby is born inside Canada, they are automatically a Canadian citizen and do not need to be sponsored, but you must still upload their birth certificate to IRCC. 📩 If your baby is born outside of Canada, and neither parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of birth, you must formally add the child to your application as a dependent, requiring extra forms and a processing fee.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Updating your application status regarding a pregnancy is mostly a free administrative process. Here are the typical costs as of May 2026:
- IRCC Webform: Submitting an update through the Webform is completely free.
- Doctor’s Notes: If you are inside Canada with provincial coverage (like OHIP in Ontario), a doctor’s note usually costs a small administrative fee of $20 to $50 CAD.
- Panel Physician Fees: The medical exam itself costs between $200 and $300 CAD. Returning later just for the deferred X-ray usually costs $40 to $80 CAD.
- Law Firm Support: If you hire a local law firm to handle the Webform and add a new dependent, legal fees generally range from $300 to $700 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Patience is essential during this period. ⏱ It typically takes IRCC about 2 to 4 weeks to process a Webform submission and acknowledge your pregnancy on your file. Because you are deferring the X-ray, your permanent residence application cannot be finalized until after the baby is born and the final X-ray results are submitted. This will naturally pause the final decision stage of your timeline by several months.
Comparison: X-Ray with Shield vs. Deferral
| Option | Safety Profile | Impact on Application Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Take X-Ray with a Lead Shield | Generally safe, but many doctors strongly advise against it during the first trimester. | File proceeds normally without any pregnancy-related delays. |
| Defer X-Ray Until After Birth | 100% safe for the baby, eliminating all radiation exposure. | Final PR approval is paused until the child is born and the X-ray is done. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does getting pregnant speed up my family sponsorship application?
No. While having a child together is strong proof of a genuine relationship, IRCC does not expedite or speed up spousal sponsorship applications simply because the applicant is pregnant.
Can I choose to do the X-ray anyway while pregnant?
Yes, some applicants choose to proceed with the X-ray wearing a protective lead shield if they are in their second or third trimester. However, this is a personal medical decision you must make in consultation with your doctor and the Panel Physician.
Will IRCC cancel my medical exam if it expires during pregnancy?
Generally, no. If you have properly deferred the X-ray due to pregnancy, IRCC will usually extend the validity of your medical file or hold your application in a pending state until you can safely complete the exam postpartum.
If my baby is born in Canada, do I need to sponsor them?
No. Any child born on Canadian soil is automatically a Canadian citizen by birth, regardless of the parents’ immigration status. You just need to inform IRCC so they know the child exists, but you do not pay sponsorship fees for them.
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