Citizenship process—Intercountry adoption

There are two processes that you must go through when you adopt a child from another country: the adoption process and the citizenship process.

In order for your adopted child to be eligible for a grant of citizenship, you must meet all the requirements for both processes. The child must be granted Canadian citizenship before you can bring the child to live with you in Canada.

Determine your eligibility

There are requirements that you and the child must meet in order to be eligible for intercountry adoption. Determine if you are eligible to adopt a child from another country using the citizenship process.

Apply

Once the adoption process is complete, you can apply for Canadian citizenship for your child.

Check processing times

Find out how long it will take CIC to process your application for intercountry adoption.

After you apply: get next steps

Find out what happens after you apply for citizenship for your adopted child.

Check application status

Securely check your application status online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Prepare for arrival

Your adopted child’s Canadian passport or facilitation visa (placed in the child’s home country’s passport) allows her or him to enter Canada as a citizen. Learn more about preparing for your child’s arrival in Canada.

Related links

Application form

Irregular adoptions