Sponsor your adopted child

Ready to Welcome Your Adopted Child to Canada Permanently?

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident planning to adopt a child from outside Canada, you may be eligible to sponsor your adopted child for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Canada’s international adoption and sponsorship process is designed to ensure the best interests of the child, while also maintaining legal and immigration compliance. Click here for other sponsorship options. Canada Family Sponsorship Program: Quickly Reunite With Your Loved Ones

Who Can Sponsor an Adopted Child?

You may be eligible to sponsor a child for immigration to Canada if:

You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
You are at least 18 years old.
You live in Canada or intend to return once the child becomes a permanent resident.
You are not in default of any previous sponsorship undertakings.
You have completed or are in the process of legally adopting the child abroad.

The Adoption Process

When sponsoring an adopted child from abroad, two parallel but separate processes must be completed and also, this process is primarily managed by your provincial or territorial adoption authority in Canada and the appropriate foreign authorities in the child’s country of origin.

Home Study Assessment: Your local provincial or territorial authority will conduct a home study to assess your suitability as an adoptive parent.
Approval Letter: Once approved, you’ll receive a letter of “no objection,” “agreement,” or “no involvement” from the provincial/territorial government. This letter is essential for the immigration application.
Legal Adoption Abroad: You must ensure that the adoption complies with both Canadian and foreign laws. In most cases, the adoption must be completed before the child enters Canada. If not, a legal guardianship process may apply until the adoption is finalized in Canada.
Post-Adoption Follow-Up: Some countries require follow-up reports after adoption. You must cooperate with the provincial/territorial authority to meet these requirements.

Please note that you must start the immigration process before the child comes to Canada. Do not bring the child on a visitor visa intending to complete adoption afterward.

If the adoption is not finalized before coming to Canada, the process may fall under legal guardianship provisions with different requirements. Once your child becomes a permanent resident, you can apply for their Canadian citizenship after the adoption is legally recognized in Canada.

Countries Where Adoptions Are Suspended or Restricted

Some Canadian provinces and territories have suspended adoptions from these countries you can refer from here by clicking this link

How to Apply to Sponsor Your Adopted Child

Step 1: Contact Your Provincial or Territorial Adoption Authority

Before beginning any application, contact your province or territory’s adoption authority. They will guide you through the eligibility requirements for adoption, the home study process, and obtaining the official Letter of No Objection or Letter of Agreement.

Step 2: Choose the Right Immigration Process

There are two immigration pathways for adopted children. The most common is the immigration process, where the child becomes a permanent resident of Canada. Alternatively, if the adoptive parent is a Canadian citizen, they may apply for the citizenship process, allowing the child to be granted Canadian citizenship directly.

Step 3: Prepare Required Documents

Make sure to collect all the required documents before applying. These include proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency for the sponsor, a provincial approval letter, and legal adoption documents (or proof that the adoption is in progress). You’ll also need the child’s identity documents, along with a medical exam report and, if applicable, a police clearance certificate for the child.

Step 4: Apply Online Through IRCC Portal

Submit your application through the IRCC Permanent Residence Online Portal. Be sure to include both the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application for the child.

Step 5: Wait for Processing & Follow Up

After you submit your application, IRCC will review it for completeness. They may contact you to provide biometrics or any additional documents if needed. Once the review is complete, you’ll receive a notification with the final decision on your application.

Step 6: Bring Your Child to Canada

Once approved, your child will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a visa (if required) to enter Canada. After arrival, they will become a permanent resident and can live with you in Canada permanently.

What Is the Estimated Processing Time?

After you submit your application, IRCC will review it for completeness and may request biometrics or additional documents. Once everything is in order, they will assess your eligibility and make a final decision. Processing times can vary depending on the country and case complexity, so it’s important to monitor your email and IRCC account for updates throughout the process.

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