Immigration process — Intercountry adoption: Prepare for arrival
Be prepared. Know what to expect if your application is approved.
If your child is already in Canada
We’ll contact you with instructions on how to confirm your child’s permanent residence status online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
In some cases, your child may need to meet with an immigration officer for an in-person interview. If an interview is required, we’ll tell you what documents to bring and the time and place of their interview.
Services to help them get settled
You can contact a service provider organization in Canada to get free newcomer services for your child. These organizations offer services such as
- language assessment or training
- help signing children up for school
- help connecting with others in your community
Find newcomer services near you
If your child is outside Canada
Before they arrive in Canada
Even before your child arrives in Canada, you and your child can get free in-person and online services to help prepare them for life in Canada. We call these pre-arrival services. These services can help your child
- find out more about living and working in Canada
- learn English and French
- connect with others in your community
When they arrive
When you arrive with your child at the port of entry to Canada, you must show the border services officer
- their Confirmation of Permanent Residence
- This is the document we sent when we approved their application.
- their valid passport or travel document
- their valid permanent resident visa (if we issued one)
- any other document we issued to them and told them to bring
The officer will
- check that your child’s permanent resident visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence haven’t expired
- ask you to confirm information given in their application
If you’re travelling without the child’s second adoptive parent (if there is one), make sure you have the required documents, such as letters of permission for children travelling with only one legal guardian.
To help speed up entry into Canada, keep your child’s passport and travel documents with you at all times. Don’t pack these documents in your luggage.
Get more information on the documents your child needs and on the interview process when crossing the Canadian border.
If they meet the requirements to enter Canada
If the officer finds that your child is admissible to Canada, the officer will
- allow them to enter Canada as a permanent resident
- start the process of mailing their permanent resident card to the address on their Confirmation of Permanent Residence
After your child becomes a permanent resident in Canada, you can apply for citizenship on the child’s behalf.
Health care, travel health and adoption
See International adoption – Travel health for information on
- travel health for adoptive parents and children
- the health needs of adopted children
Video: Before You Arrive in Canada
This video will help your family members get ready for their new life in Canada. It will explain some of the things they should do before they leave their country of origin to make sure they’re prepared when they arrive in Canada.
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