Bringing my non Canadian Wife to deliver our child in Edmonton, Alberta

[fredki]

Dear All:

I have considered to bring my non Canadian wife to delivery our baby in Edmonton, Alberta. But I am not sure if she is able to be covered by Alberta Health. I have asked them directly but their reply was that it depends on what Canadian Immigration stamp on my wife passport. My wife will be using her HKSAR passport. Do you know any information about this matter? Basically, I need to know if I plan to move back to Edmonton, Alberta with my wife for good and we intend to make Edmonton home. Can my wife be covered by Alberta Health such that the cost of deliver of our child will be covered?

Thank you so much!

Cheers,

Joe.

 

[tavora]

Dear All:

I have considered to bring my non Canadian wife to delivery our baby in Edmonton, Alberta. But I am not sure if she is able to be covered by Alberta Health. I have asked them directly but their reply was that it depends on what Canadian Immigration stamp on my wife passport. My wife will be using her HKSAR passport. Do you know any information about this matter? Basically, I need to know if I plan to move back to Edmonton, Alberta with my wife for good and we intend to make Edmonton home. Can my wife be covered by Alberta Health such that the cost of deliver of our child will be covered?

Looking at the Alberta Health website here, she is not eligible: http://www.health.alberta.ca/AHCIP/registration-requirements.html

Under Eligible residents:
"Any other person deemed by the regulations to be a resident not including a tourist, transient or visitor to Alberta." - If your wife comes to Alberta in advance of becoming a permanent resident, she is considered a tourist or visitor, so she will not be eligible for medical. It also states under Non-eligible residents: "Babies born in Alberta to a non-resident of Alberta are not considered residents of Alberta and are therefore not eligible for coverage with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan."

You could still bring you wife to Alberta to give birth, but you will need to be prepared to cover the costs.

 

[AnaMaria]

Hi Joe,
Is she a PR? If not under what status is she planning to visit Canada? How are you planning to bring her in? You might need a bit of research before you bring her in.

 

[fredki]

Thanks for your reply.

My intention is to move back to Edmonton for good with my wife and we intend to make Edmonton, Alberta Home. Since I will apply my wife to become permanent resident after we land in Edmonton, will she be eligible for medical coverage?

I did asked Alberta Health directly but their reply was that they cannot guarantee that my wife will be covered, it depends on what stamp the Canadian Immigration officer stamps on her passport. But I am not sure what type of "stamp" is needed in order for my wife to be covered.

Does anyone have this information or have experienced similar situation like mine? Greatly appreciate your feedback!

Thanks,

Joe.

 

[tavora]

Thanks for your reply.

My intention is to move back to Edmonton for good with my wife and we intend to make Edmonton, Alberta Home. Since I will apply my wife to become permanent resident after we land in Edmonton, will she be eligible for medical coverage?

I did asked Alberta Health directly but their reply was that they cannot guarantee that my wife will be covered, it depends on what stamp the Canadian Immigration officer stamps on her passport. But I am not sure what type of "stamp" is needed in order for my wife to be covered.

You can have your permanent resident application in process when you move, but from the government's point of view, she is not considered a permanent resident until approved. Citizens of visa exempt countries can get a longer visitor's record (for more than the typical six months) -- but their status in Canada still remains 'visitor' even though they are officially allowed to remain in the country for the length of time specified, such as one year.

My understanding is that even when Canadian citizen or permanent resident returns to Canada after being out of the country for some time, there is usually a three month waiting period for medical coverage, so you may need private insurance to bridge the gap before your provincial coverage kicks in.

Maybe someone else can chime in who has more experience with Alberta, though.

 

[AnaMaria]

I read your other thread. So you are planning to bring her as a visitor. Then as Tavora posted you / she has to bear the cost. Also just as a caution, you should not expect that her entry would be not be a problem at all just because she is your (Canadian's) wife, even though it might be less likely because she holds HKG passport. There are many threads talking about how spouses should come as a visitor. If you are prepared, I think you will be fine .

 

[fredki]

Thanks for your feedback!

My plan is to apply for my wife permanent residency when we land in Edmonton. I cannot apply her now in Hong Kong as she is pregnant; the P.R application process requires body checkup which needs X-RAY(Not good for the baby). So, my alternative is to bring her to Canada and apply inland.

Moreover, I heard applying your spouse for P.R is faster inside Canada than outside. Is this true?

I have also heard about the 3 months waiting period but from my understanding that Alberta do not need this waiting time. The coverage kicks in once landed for Canadian Citizen. The thing is I am not sure if I can add my non-Canadian wife to my medical plan and so there are risks that I have to paid for all medical bills for the delivery of our child.

Thanks,

joe.