International adoption - IRCC

This page provides an official overview of how Canadian citizens can adopt a child from another country and bring them to Canada. It explains that inter-country adoption has two main components: the adoption process (conducted under provincial/territorial and foreign laws) and the immigration or citizenship process which allows the child to enter and settle in Canada.

Adoption process abroad or at home

Prospective adoptive parents must first contact the adoption authority in their Canadian province or territory of residence and in the child’s country of origin. They must meet the foreign country’s adoption requirements, ensure the child is legally available for adoption, and comply with the Hague Adoption Convention standards where applicable. Some countries have suspensions or additional restrictions on international adoption. Until the legal adoption process is complete, the federal immigration process cannot be concluded.

Choosing the correct path for bringing the child to Canada

Once adoption is finalized or underway, parents must decide which pathway applies: a citizenship grant for the child, or a permanent residence (immigration) application. Eligibility for each depends on factors such as the adoptive parent’s citizenship status at the time of adoption, the child’s country, and whether the adoption was finalized outside Canada. Each path leads to a different status for the child in Canada (citizen vs. permanent resident).

Key eligibility and obligations

Eligibility criteria require Canada-legal adoption, the best interests of the child, creation of a genuine parent-child relationship, and that the adoption was not entered into primarily for the purpose of acquiring immigration or citizenship. If using the immigration path, the parent sponsors the child and must commit to financial support for a specified period. Documentation must be robust — including home-study reports, consent/legal termination of birth-parent rights, and verification of adoption authorities.

Practical considerations and tips

• Begin early by consulting both your provincial/territorial adoption authority and the foreign country’s central adoption authority to understand their rules and timelines.
• Verify whether the country of origin is currently open to international adoptions, or subject to suspension or stricter controls.
• Maintain meticulous records: home-study, medical reports, legal orders from the country of adoption, travel documents, police checks.
• Plan for delays—both adoption and immigration/citizenship processes can take years depending on complexity, child’s country of origin and completeness of dossier.
• Understand that even after approval abroad, the child cannot fully settle in Canada until the federal process is complete. Arranging travel and accommodation prematurely may create risk.
• If you choose the citizenship path for the child, ensure you meet requirements at the time of adoption (e.g., adoptive parent’s citizenship, first-generation citizenship rules). If not eligible, you’ll need to apply via the immigration sponsorship path.

Why this matters

International adoption involves both family law and immigration law dimensions. Mistakes at either step can result in delays, refusal of the child’s entry to Canada, or complications with the child’s status. This page provides the authoritative federal-level guidance necessary for anyone in Canada considering adopting a child abroad, helping to align parental aspirations with legal obligations and procedural realities.