1. The adoption process
The first step in the adoption process is to contact the adoption authorities of the province where the child will live to determine the provincial adoption requirements. Usually, all Canadian residents adopting a child from another country are required to use the services of a provincial licensed adoption practitioner and adoption agency involved in international adoptions. Generally, adoption agencies charge between $20,000 to $50,000 for their services.
In some provinces, the government may want to conduct a “homestudy” of the adoptive parents. This will depend on the adoption laws of the country where the child lives. The provincial adoption authorities will usually need to issue a letter of approval.
Most often, you must travel to the child’s country to meet the child you are planning to adopt. For adoption in some countries, you may be required to visit the child more than once. You will then complete the necessary steps for adoption required by the child’s country.
2. Obtain immigration status for the child
Once the adoption process has been completed, the parents must make an application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to obtain immigration status for the child to enter Canada.
If at least one adoptive parent is a Canadian citizen at the time of adoption, you will likely be able to obtain Canadian citizenship for the child right away, without having to obtain permanent residency first. If both parents are permanent residents of Canada at the time of adoption, you must sponsor the child and make an application for him or her to become a permanent resident.
Canadian citizenship application
If you qualify, once the adoption process is complete, you can apply for Canadian citizenship for your child.
You must complete the two-part Application for Canadian Citizenship for a person adopted by a Canadian Citizen and mail it, together with the non-refundable application fee, and any required documents to IRCC. If your child’s application is approved, the adopted child will be granted citizenship and official documentation confirming this will be sent to you. Once citizenship is granted, you must obtain a passport or other official travel document in order for the adopted child to enter Canada.
Visit IRCC for complete instructions and a list of what is needed in an application for Citizenship for your adopted child.
To determine whether you qualify to apply for your adopted child to become a Canadian citizen, contact IRCC or consult an immigration lawyer.
Permanent residence application
This immigration process has two parts: 1) the application for sponsorship, and 2) the application for permanent residence for the child.
1) Application for sponsorship
After a child has been adopted according to the laws of the child’s home country, the adoptive parents sponsor the child to come to Canada. Begin the immigration process by submitting a sponsorship application for a family class immigrant. The application will include a number of required documents and a non-refundable processing fee.
To sponsor the immigration of an adopted child, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older. You must promise to provide support for the child for 10 years or until the child reaches the age of 25, and you must demonstrate that you are able to provide financial support.
2) Application for permanent residence
Next, the adoptive parents should complete an application for permanent residence in Canada on behalf of the child. This application should be submitted to the Canadian visa office in the child’s home country.
When the sponsorship application is approved, a visa officer will decide whether the child can be admitted into Canada as an immigrant.
Three conditions must be satisfied before the immigrant visa is issued:
- The child must meet all the basic immigration requirements including a medical exam,
- The provincial child welfare authority must approve the adoption, and
- The foreign authority must allow the transfer of the child to the adoptive parents.
After the child arrives in Canada as a permanent resident, parents can apply for citizenship on the child’s behalf. However, the adoption must be finalized before the child can be granted citizenship.
You should not return to Canada with the adopted child until you know that all immigration requirements have been met. When your adoptive child arrives in Canada, he or she will be met by an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) who will ask to see the child’s passport or travel documents.
Temporary changes due to COVID-19
Due to the current pandemic, the Government of Canada has implemented temporary changes to various immigration programs and procedures. For the most up-to-date information, visit canada.ca.
Get help
You can obtain more information about international adoption from Chugo Immigration Service, the provincial or territorial central adoption authorities, or from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Optimize your chances of success!
What are your options for Canadian Immigration? You can consider any of the following pathways to Canadian Immigration:
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Humanitarian and Compassionate
- Study to Immigrate
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- How to Become a Canadian Citizen: Applying for Canadian Citizenship
- Family Sponsorship
- Spousal Sponsorship
- Express Entry
- Skilled Workers
- Caregivers
- Investors and Entrepreneurs
- Refugee and Asylum
- Visa rejections/Appeals
Chugo Immigration Service is authorized to offer Canadian Immigration and Citizenship services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Principal Consultant, Pius Chukwuma Ekwulugo RCIC, is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and has helped many foreigners to start a new life in Canada. We will help you too!
For effective and diligent legal help regarding Canadian Immigration matters, we partner with Weekes Law Office.
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Are you looking for an immigration pathway to Canada? If you do not know where to look and how to start, we invite you to book an eligibility consultation with us. We will prepare an individualized assessment report for you and guide you on your immigration journey to Canada.
We advise you to complete the assessment questionnaire now in order to properly plan your application.