Fact sheet for parents looking to adopt from another country

If you wish to adopt internationally, you will need to complete two processes:

The adoption process

• In Canada, domestic and international adoptions are the responsibility of the provinces and territories. Contact your provincial or territorial government to obtain information on the requirements for adopting and to see whether you are eligible to adopt. 

• To adopt a child from a foreign country, you must also obey the laws of that country concerning adoption. Make sure you understand the country’s laws before beginning the adoption process.

The immigration process

• A child adopted from a foreign country must meet a number of immigration requirements in order to come to Canada. Read this fact sheet for basic information and tips on what is involved in the immigration process.

How the immigration process works

When you are adopting a child from another country, you must apply to sponsor the child for permanent residence in Canada. You must also apply for a permanent resident visa for your child. These steps normally take place once your province or territory has approved the adoption.

Sponsoring your adoptive child

To sponsor your adoptive child, you must complete a sponsorship application and submit it, along with any necessary documents and fees, to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). For more information or to apply, contact CIC.

Obtaining permanent resident status for your adoptive child

If your sponsorship application is approved, an Application for Permanent Residence will be sent to you. The application form must be completed and sent, along with any necessary documents, to the Canadian visa office responsible for your child’s home country. For more information or to apply, contact CIC.

How to bring your adoptive child to Canada

After you have applied for international adoption, for sponsorship and for a permanent resident visa to bring your adoptive child to Canada, there are several more steps.

• Obtaining a passport: In order to obtain a permanent resident visa for your child, you must obtain your child’s passport from his or her home country and present it to the Canadian visa office responsible for your child’s home country.

TIP: Look into getting your child’s passport in advance, before you plan to bring the child to Canada, to avoid any unnecessary delays.

• Obtaining the visa: Once your child has met the immigration requirements and is ready to be issued a permanent resident visa, you will be notified by CIC. The permanent resident visa will allow the child to enter Canada to become a permanent resident.

TIP: You should not plan to return to Canada with the adopted child until you know with certainty that all immigration requirements have been met.

• Arriving in Canada: When your adopted child arrives in Canada, his or her documents will be reviewed, after which he or she will formally receive permanent resident status in Canada.

TIP: Make sure the documents are easily accessible and not packed in the luggage. By having the documents handy, you can help speed up your child’s entry into Canada.

• Obtaining a permanent resident card: After your child has become a permanent resident, he or she will receive a permanent resident card by mail in about one month. You must provide the child’s address in Canada to CIC in order to receive the permanent resident card.
• Obtaining Canadian citizenship: After your adopted child becomes a permanent resident in Canada, you can apply for Canadian citizenship on the child’s behalf.

Things you should be aware of

• Completing an international adoption can be complicated and can take time. In certain cases, it is not unusual for the process to last for two years or longer.
• The process and length of time it takes to adopt will vary depending on a number of circumstances, including the province or territory in which you live and the country from which you are adopting, particularly if it does not have standardized procedures in place with Canada for international adoptions.
• A child’s best interest and welfare are most important. If it is discovered that the child is at risk or does not meet all of the immigration requirements, the child may be refused a permanent resident visa.  
• If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec immigration sponsorship requirements. Contact the Government of Quebec for more information.

Contact information

For information on the adoption process, contact your province or territory. A list is available at www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/adoption/authorities.asp.

For information on the immigration process, contact CIC:

• Web site: www.cic.gc.ca
• In Canada: CIC Call Centre (toll free): 1-888-242-2100. If you are hearing impaired and use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service at 1-888-576-8502 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time.
• Outside Canada: the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for the region in which you live.