Countries with suspensions or restrictions on international adoptions

Not all countries allow international adoptions.

To begin the international adoption process, contact the adoption central authority in your province or territory.

If you are a Canadian living outside of Canada, contact the adoption central authority where you live to find out if international adoption is allowed.

Countries with a suspension on adoptions

Some Canadian provinces and territories (PTs) have suspended adoptions from the following countries:

• Cambodia (all PTs except Quebec)
• Georgia (all PTs)
• Guatemala (all PTs)
• Liberia (all PTs)
• Nepal (all PTs)
• Ukraine (all PTs) Temporary

Countries with restrictions on adoptions by Canadians

The following countries do not currently allow international adoptions:

• Argentina
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
• Comoros
• Democratic Republic of Congo – archived (except relative adoptions)
• Ethiopia
• Grenada
• Iran
• Iraq
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Maldives
• Mozambique
• Pakistan – archived
• Paraguay
• Russia – archived
• Saudi Arabia
• Swaziland
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania