Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their adopted children for immigration to Canada under the Family Class. This process allows adopted children to become permanent residents and eventually Canadian citizens.
Adoption from abroad involves two main steps:
- The adoption process under the laws of the child’s home country and Canadian provinces or territories.
- The immigration process, including an application for sponsorship and an application for permanent residence.
After a successful adoption and arrival in Canada, sponsors can apply for citizenship on behalf of the child, provided the adoption meets all legal requirements.
On This Page, You Will Find:
- Who can sponsor an adopted child
- Eligibility for permanent residence
- Intercountry adoption rules
- Adoption completed outside or in Canada
- Key requirements for immigration approval
- Frequently asked questions
Who Can Sponsor an Adopted Child?
To sponsor a child for immigration, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Reside in Canada (or plan to return when the child arrives, if a citizen living abroad)
Note: Permanent residents must reside in Canada when submitting the application and when the child becomes a permanent resident.
Permanent Residence Eligibility for Adopted Children
The adopted child may be eligible for permanent residence if the application is submitted by:
- A Canadian citizen sponsoring a child under 18 years of age
- An adopted adult (18 or older) who was adopted by a Canadian citizen
- A legal guardian acting for an adopted child under 18, where one parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of adoption
- A non-Canadian parent applying for an adopted child under 18, where the other parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of adoption
Requirements for Intercountry Adoptions
Adoptions from another country must follow both Canadian and foreign legal standards. Most intercountry adoptions occur in the child’s country of origin. Some may involve relatives, which could affect the process.
To be eligible for sponsorship, the adoption must:
- Be legal in the child’s home country and in the Canadian province or territory of the sponsor
- End the legal relationship between the child and their biological parents
- Establish a real parent-child relationship between the sponsor and the adopted child
- Serve the best interests of the child
- Not be undertaken mainly to gain immigration status in Canada
Adoption Completed Outside Canada
You may sponsor an adopted child if:
- The child has been legally adopted outside Canada
- Informed consent was given by both biological parents (if alive)
- The requirements of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption have been met, if applicable
Adoption Completed Inside Canada
You may also sponsor a child adopted within Canada if the adoption:
- Follows Canadian provincial or territorial laws
- Meets the same eligibility conditions for creating a genuine parent-child relationship
- Is not done solely for immigration purposes
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sponsor an adopted child to Canada?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 18 or older can sponsor an adopted child, as long as they meet all legal and residency requirements.
Can I adopt a child from another country and bring them to Canada?
Yes, you can adopt a child abroad and sponsor them for permanent residence. The adoption must be legal in both countries and meet Canadian immigration criteria.
What documents are needed to sponsor an adopted child?
Documents typically include proof of legal adoption, birth certificates, consent forms from biological parents (if applicable), and evidence of a genuine parent-child relationship.
Do I need to live in Canada to sponsor an adopted child?
Permanent residents must live in Canada during the process. Citizens can apply from abroad but must return to Canada when the child becomes a permanent resident.
Can my adopted child become a Canadian citizen?
Yes, once the child is a permanent resident and the adoption is finalized, you can apply for Canadian citizenship on their behalf.
