Tariq Khan was given a life sentence at Bradford Crown Court after he admitted stabbing his six-month pregnant wife Nadia Khan to death at their home at Mannigham in Bradford, northern England.
Khan had separated from the 24-year-old victim shortly before the murder and was facing deportation proceedings to Pakistan.
Judge Roger Thomas QC said Khan had meant not only to punish his wife, but "had had a specific intent to destroy her baby".
It read: "Nadia was a caring daughter and sister as well as a loving mother, and it kills us that her children will grow up without a mum and dad.
"Tariq Khan has caused us a lot of pain and we hope he stays in jail for the rest of his life, as his sentence can never be enough for what he has done."
Nadia was attacked in front of her children, five-year-old Ameen and three-year-old Aleena.
She had met her husband on a family visit to Pakistan seven years ago and had returned there with her mother to marry him soon after.
He is expected to be deported to Pakistan at the end of his life sentence.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark McManus, said: "Khan was clearly a very dangerous man and the community of Manningham is a safer place with him behind bars.
