Q569. Father’s Work Permit in

Canada should not affect babies

travel to India

Question: Hi, I require your help in understanding the procedure for making baby passport and visa in canada, my sister has given birth to baby boy in canada in this month, and my brother in law work permit is ending in october, he will be reapplying for the WP soon. I and my parents want my sister and her baby to come to india now for the period of 5-6 months for her & her baby better health, but my brother in law says that it is not possible since the WP is not renewed or not extended, it is not possible to send them to india before october or before the WP gets renewed. Now since we are unaware of the policies and procedures we are not able to understand the logic behind baby visa and passport attached to his father's WP. Please help me with the procdure for both the cases (Indian Passport / Canadian passport) so that I can help my sister and her baby to come to India by June end. Regards, (Name removed on request) Answer: I fail to understand the reasoning as to why your brother in law says his wife and child cannot travel to India due to his work permit. Normally, a child born in Canada is automatically a Canadian citizen. In case your sister and brother in law both hold Indian passports, they have two options. 1. They can apply for and get a Canadian Passport for the baby Or 2. Apply for an Indian passport for the child. They must choose one of the two options. If they get a Canadian Passport for their baby, then they require a visa for India. Whereas if they get an Indian passport, no visa is required. Procedure for getting a Canadian Passport is straightforward, fast and simple. • Once baby is born in a Canadian hospital, parents are asked to fill in the required forms and the hospital authorities register the birth with the concerned authorities. (Both my son’s are born in Toronto, Canada) • The parents can then get a birth certificate for the newborn baby in a few weeks time. • Parents can apply for a Canadian passport for the newborn baby by filling the required passport application form on behalf of the baby. If passport application is taken personally to the passport office, passports are normally ready in 10 days. If application is mailed, it takes 20 days. For children under three years of age, the passport fee in Canada is currently 22 dollars. For more information on how to apply for a Canadian passport, click HERE • Once they get their child’s passport, they will have to apply for an Indian visa for the baby, normally this takes about three working days. If your brother in law is currently working in Canada and does not want to leave Canada until his work permit is renewed, such a situation should not in any way conflict with your sister and her baby traveling to India for a visit. You are right in saying that you do not understand the logic behind a babies visa and passport attached to his father’s WP! neither do I. Today is May 26, 2013 and if your brother in law makes an effort, your sister and her baby should be able to get passport and visa formalities done within a few weeks and be in India for end of June.