Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
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International adoption:
How to apply
There are two parts in the application process for international adoption:
- You must apply to adopt your child (the adoption process).
- You must apply to bring your child to Canada as a permanent resident (the immigration process).
The first step in the adoption process is to contact the government office responsible for adoption in your province or territory. You can find a list of these offices in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
The first step in the immigration process is to apply to sponsor your child. After that, you will apply for a permanent resident visa for your child. See How to apply: Immigration below to find out more.
You may be able to sponsor a child as soon as you decide to adopt, if you know the country from which you plan to adopt. Please consult your province's adoption unit before applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, as the processing fees are non-refundable. You can also wait to make a sponsorship application until you have found a child, and the adoption process is underway. However, you must wait to apply for permanent residence status for the child until you have found the child you wish to adopt.
Learn about:
How to apply: International adoption
Adoptions are the responsibility of the provinces and territories in Canada. You should contact the government office responsible for adoptions in your province or territory to find out how to start adoption proceedings. You can find a list of these provincial and territorial government offices in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Each province or territory may have different requirements, but all of them will require a home study before they approve an adoption.
