Choose a process — Intercountry adoption
Some adoptive parents are eligible to bring their children to Canada using the citizenship process. Others must use the immigration process. Some parents can choose which process to use.
Bringing your adopted child to Canada
In most cases, before you bring your child to live with you in Canada, you must complete both
- the adoption process and
- either the citizenship or immigration process
Use the citizenship or the immigration process
Who must use the citizenship process
You must use the citizenship process if the adopted child will not live in Canada immediately after the adoption and citizenship processes are complete.
Who must use the immigration process
You must use the immigration process if any of the following situations apply to you:
-
Neither parent was a Canadian citizen when the adoption took place
If the adoption took place before April 1, 1949
Adoptive parents living in Newfoundland and Labrador
Neither adoptive parent was a Canadian citizen on April 1, 1949.
Adoptive parents living in other provinces or territories
Neither adoptive parent was a Canadian citizen on January 1, 1947.
- You’re subject to the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent
- You’re adopting from a country that requires a probationary period before the adoption can be finalized (which means the adoption will be finalized in Canada).
You can start the immigration process before you complete the adoption process if you’re adopting from a country that requires a probationary period before the adoption can be finalized.
Who can use either process
You can use either the citizenship or the immigration process if you meet 2 requirements:
- At least 1 adoptive parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of the adoption.
If the adoption took place before April 1, 1949
Adoptive parents living in Newfoundland and Labrador
At least 1 adoptive parent became a Canadian citizen on April 1, 1949.
Adoptive parents living in other provinces or territories
At least 1 adoptive parent became a Canadian citizen on January 1, 1947.
- The adoptive parent is able to pass on Canadian citizenship by descent to the adopted person.
Differences between the processes
Once you know which process you are eligible to use, you can learn more about what each process will mean for you and your adopted child.
Learn about the requirements and the impacts of each process.
| Adopted person receives a direct grant of citizenship through the citizenship process | Adopted person becomes a permanent resident through the immigration process | |
|---|---|---|
| Status at the end of the process? | Canadian citizen | Permanent resident |
| Who can apply? | an adoptive parent who is a Canadian citizen at the time of the adoption or an adopted person themselves, if they’re an adult |
an adoptive parent who is a Canadian citizen or an adoptive parent who is a permanent resident |
| Fees | If the adopted person is
|
If the adopted person is
|
| Will the adopted person lose their foreign nationality or citizenship after the process? | In some countries, the adopted person could lose their foreign nationality or citizenship once they become a Canadian citizen. For more information, contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country of the adopted person’s foreign nationality or citizenship. |
The adopted person will not lose their foreign nationality or citizenship once they become a permanent resident of Canada. |
| Is a medical exam needed? | No. However, we recommend that adoptive parents have the child examined by a reliable doctor to know what to expect and what medical attention the child may require. The doctor should examine the child and provide a comprehensive report to prospective adoptive parents. |
Yes. Adoptive parents must provide a written statement to the visa office confirming that they have obtained information regarding the child’s medical condition. Learn more about medical exams. |
| What documents will be issued? | The adoptive parents will be mailed the adopted person’s certificate of Canadian citizenship. If the adopted person is 18 years of age or older at the time of the application, it will be sent to them instead of the adoptive parents. Adopted people may apply for a Canadian passport once they've been granted citizenship. |
The adopted person will be issued a permanent resident visa before they leave for Canada. It will be placed in the adopted person’s home country passport or travel document. A confirmation of permanent residence document is also issued to the adopted person. They will receive a permanent resident (PR) card when they arrive in Canada. |
| How will the adopted person’s children be affected by the first-generation limit to citizenship? | Learn how the first-generation limit impacts citizenship for adopted people. | If the adopted person was granted citizenship through naturalization after completing the immigration process, the first-generation limit would not apply to their children. |
| Learn more about the citizenship process. | Learn more about the immigration process. |
Find adoption authorities
Not all countries allow adoptions. Before you apply to adopt a child from a foreign country, you must contact the central adoption authority in your province or territory or the appropriate foreign representative in Canada to find out if adoption is allowed.
Learn about our role in intercountry adoption
We don't play a role in the first step of the intercountry adoption process.
Learn more about our role in intercountry adoption.
Learn about the Hague Convention
Since 1996, Canada has been a party to the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (concluded May 29, 1993). The Hague Convention was established to help countries regulate international adoptions with respect to the best interests of the child, and with respect for the child's fundamental rights, and to prevent the abduction, the sale of, or traffic of children. Learn more about the Hague Convention.
Adopting in post-disaster situations
Adopting a child from a country faced with serious conflict or an emergency situation presents many challenges. Learn more about adopting in post-disaster situations.
