Questions and Answers for Adopted Children of Canadians
In this article, I will address questions and answers for Adopted Children of Canadians, as there are several different immigration matters and circumstances that may apply. This is intended for you to better understand what can ensue when you have an adopted child. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply for permanent residency or Canadian citizenship for your adopted child, then I suggest you read our articles on Adoption and Adopted Children of Canadians before reading this question and answer article. This article is intended to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to any immigration matters regarding adopted children of Canadians.
Q: I have successfully adopted my child from another country. How can I bring them to Canada?
A: This is great news! The moment you receive a “Letter of No Objection” from the province or territory you reside in, then you may begin your process in bringing your child to Canada. What process you decide on depends on your particular circumstance. You may either choose to bring them to Canada under permanent residency or you may choose to apply for Canadian citizenship. There are eligibility requirements with both processes, therefore, it is very important to determine which one you are eligible for prior to applying. It is also advisable to visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website to determine which process to use to bring your child to Canada.
Q: I would like to know whether my adopted child needs a visa to enter Canada or may they just enter with me as citizens?
A: This is a very good question. In order for your adopted child to enter Canada lawfully, they must be appropriately authorized to enter. This entirely depends on which route you chose for your child – whether permanent residency or Canadian citizenship. Additionally, you must ensure that the process has been completed and all of the immigration or citizenship requirements have been met prior to them travelling to Canada. This way, they can avoid any unnecessary delays or complications when travelling with you.
Q: Are the fees the same for my adopted child whether we decide to pursue permanent residency or Canadian citizenship?
A: Unfortunately, no. The fees for these immigration processes are very different. It is important to note that the Immigration Refugee Protection Act and the Citizenship Act both have different fees depending on the age of the applicant. Specifically, for permanent residence, the sponsoring fee and the processing fee are required and are much different in comparison with Citizenship. Keep in mind, processing fees for adopted children that are 19 years and older are higher as well. On the other hand, for Canadian citizenship a separate processing fee is required to apply. Similar to permanent residency, the processing fee for an adopted child that is 19 years and older is higher. Additionally, they will also have to pay for the right of citizenship fee.
Q: Is it too late to apply for Canadian citizenship for my adopted child if we have already submitted an application for permanent residence?
A: Thankfully, no it is not too late to apply for Canadian citizenship for your adopted child. However, it is important to note the eligibility requirements in order to apply for Canadian citizenship. You may apply for Canadian citizenship for your adopted child if at least one parent is a Canadian citizen by birth or through naturalization at the time the adoption was granted and you must also submit a citizenship grant application. This application must also include the appropriate documents and government fees. Please note, you do not need to withdraw your existing permanent residency application but if you would like a refund, you may withdraw your application. You may only withdraw the application if it has not been processed and your child has not yet received permanent residency in Canada.
Q: Once my adopted child receives Canadian citizenship, can they rightfully receive a Canadian passport?
A: As a Canadian citizen, your adopted child has the right to receive a Canadian passport. In order to request and receive the Canadian passport, they must have a citizenship certificate. However, if you have not yet received the citizenship certificate, you may apply for a Canadian passport without it. As long as you consent, CIC will appropriately send confirmation of your adopted child’s citizenship to the Canadian office outside Canada that will issue the passport accordingly.
Q: How long will it take for my adopted child to receive their Canadian passport?
A: Canadian passports have different processing times depending on where you have applied for the passport. If you have applied for a Canadian passport from within Canada, it can take anywhere from 10 to 20 business days. This does not include any mailing time; this is from the date the receive the application. If you have applied for a Canadian passport from the United States, it can take up to 20 business days. Similarly, if you have applied for a Canadian passport from outside of Canada and the United States, then it can take up to 20 business days.
Contact Akrami & Associates
Should you have any further questions or feel confused or unclear about any immigration matters with regards to your adopted child, it is important to talk about any questions you may have and discuss your concerns. By talking to immigration professionals about your concerns, this will ease your worries and assist with the application process. Many immigration applications are difficult to pursue on your own, if you are unfamiliar, and it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to apply. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients pursue permanent residency and/or Canadian citizenship for their adopted children. If you believe that you may be eligible, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advise.
With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!