After you apply
Processing your application
After you apply to sponsor an adopted child to come to Canada, there are several more steps.
Quebec reaches limit for undertaking applications in certain categories
Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) has reached its maximum number of undertaking applications to sponsor a dependent child 18 years or older until June 25, 2026. Get more details about Quebec’s rules and exemptions on MIFI’s website.
If you already have an application in progress
If you already have a permanent residence (PR) application in progress with us but can’t submit an undertaking application to MIFI right now, your PR application will remain in our inventory. We can’t approve your PR application until you get an undertaking from MIFI. Check our website and your email, portal or mail regularly for updates.
Application processing times
Processing time ?
Various by country
When the application for permanent residence is sent to the Canadian visa office overseas, our Call Centre no longer has access to the file. If you have questions about the child’s application at that point, you must contact the visa office. Check the website for processing times for sponsorship of adopted children processed by visa offices outside Canada.
Issuing the permanent resident visa for your child to come to Canada
You will be notified when your child has met the immigration requirements and is ready to be issued a permanent resident visa.
To avoid unnecessary expense and disappointment, you should not plan to return to Canada with the adopted child until you know with certainty that all immigration requirements have been met.
While this process may seem long and complicated, it is necessary for the child’s protection.
Your child’s passport to travel to Canada
You must obtain the child’s passport from the child’s home country. You must present the passport to the Canadian visa office serving the child’s home country in order for the child to receive a permanent resident visa. The visa and the child’s passport must be shown to Canada Border Services officers when the child arrives in Canada.
The adoption agency in your province or territory may be able to advise you where to apply to get the child’s passport. Make sure to get this information some time before you plan to bring the child to Canada.
Health care, travel health and adoption
- the health needs of adopted children
- travel health for adoptive parents and children
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