Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
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International adoption: What are the differences between the citizenship and the immigration processes?
Remember, a child adopted from a foreign country may not enter Canada until the adoption process is complete and they are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
| Citizenship Process |
Immigration Process | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply? | a Canadian citizen adoptive parent on behalf of an adopted minor child an adult (18 and older) who was adopted by a Canadian citizen parent, on their own behalf a legal guardian or a non-Canadian adoptive parent, on behalf of an adopted minor child, if the adopted child had at least one Canadian parent at the time of adoption |
a Canadian citizen adoptive parent, on behalf of an adopted person a permanent resident of Canada on behalf of an adopted person |
| Which application do I use? | Application for Canadian citizenship for a person adopted by a Canadian citizen (after February 14, 1977) | Application for sponsorship and application to obtain permanent residence for the adopted person |
| What fees are required? | If, when applying, the adopted person is a minor (under 18 years):
an adult (18 years and over):
|
If, when applying, the adopted person is under 22 years: sponsorship fee of $75 22 years and over: sponsorship fee of $75 |
| Will the adopted person lose their foreign nationality or citizenship after the process? | In some countries, the adopted person could lose their foreign nationality or citizenship once they become a Canadian citizen. For more information, contact the embassy, High Commission or consulate of the country of the adopted person’s foreign nationality or citizenship. | The adopted person will not lose their foreign nationality or citizenship once they become a permanent resident of Canada. |
| Is a medical exam needed? | A medical exam is not needed. However, parents should be aware that without a medical examination, they run a risk of adopting a seriously sick child. Although it is entirely voluntary, Citizenship and Immigration Canada recommends prospective adoptive parents have children medically examined by a reliable medical practitioner for adoption purposes. The doctor should examine the child and provide a comprehensive report to prospective adoptive parents. | A medical exam is needed. |
| What will be the adopted person’s status at the end of the process? | They will be a Canadian citizen. | They will be a permanent resident. |
| What documents will be issued at the end of the process? | The adopted person will be mailed a certificate of Canadian citizenship. | The adopted person will be issued a Permanent Resident card after they enter Canada. |
| What travel document can be issued for travel or to return to Canada? | Adopted people may apply for a Canadian passport once citizenship has been granted or they may apply for a facilitation visa to be placed in their home country’s passport. | A permanent resident visa is issued and placed in the passport or travel document from the adopted person’s country of citizenship. A confirmation of permanent residence document is also issued to the applicant. |
| How will the adopted person’s children be affected by the new law limiting citizenship by descent? | Adoptee’s children would be Canadian at birth if born or adopted in Canada. Adoptee’s children would not be Canadian if born or adopted outside Canada (unless other parent was born in Canada or immigrated to Canada and then became a citizen) and would need to be sponsored as permanent residents before gaining citizenship. |
Adoptee’s children would be Canadian at birth whether they are born or adopted inside or outside Canada. |
