Due to recent global events, more and more families are looking to give children who have lost their parents a new life.
Canada allows international adoption and grants adopted children Canadian citizenship through their adoptive parents.
Although the process is quite bureaucratic, the final result is always worth it. I won’t go into every detail of the process—it’s simply too complex—but I’d like to highlight some important points.
Not all countries allow international adoption.
Here is a list of countries from which it is impossible to adopt a child (unless you are a citizen of that country):
Russia, Tajikistan, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Ethiopia, the Maldives, Mozambique, Paraguay, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tanzania.
Adopting children from the following countries is temporarily prohibited:
Ukraine (due to the ongoing war), Georgia, Guatemala, Liberia, and Cambodia (BUT if you live in Quebec, you CAN adopt a child from Cambodia).
The international adoption process typically takes about a year, sometimes longer. While the paperwork is being processed, the child can be issued a special visa to enter Canada. Keep in mind that until the child’s Canadian citizenship is confirmed, all medical expenses will be your responsibility. This process can sometimes take up to two years, during which time you’ll need to cover all costs out of pocket.
Adoption is a very challenging and expensive process. I strongly advise against trying to handle everything on your own. At the very least, consult with a qualified specialist to guide you through the process.
Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada.
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