Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by a Canadian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Canada
Permanent residents can live in Canada indefinitely and move to any province.
They can also earn a living in any province.
Study in Canada
Permanent residents can study anywhere in Canada, subject to school and provincial rules.
Work in Canada
Permanent residents can work for any employer and get a Social Insurance Number for work.
Job and licensing rules apply, and some jobs needing high-level security clearance are not open to permanent residents.
Travel and return
Permanent residents can travel outside Canada and return.
To return by a commercial carrier, they normally need a valid permanent resident card and a passport or refugee travel document.
Without a valid card, they generally need a permanent resident travel document.
Use public services
Permanent residents have protection under Canadian law and can use courts and public services on the same general basis as other residents.
Use public healthcare
Permanent residents can apply for public health insurance.
Coverage and eligibility vary by province or territory, and some provinces have a waiting period of up to three months.
Receive social benefits
Permanent residents can receive most social benefits available to Canadian citizens.
Payments are not automatic; eligibility depends on the program and factors such as where the person lives, income and age.
How to apply
From outside CanadaFrom outside Canada
Find your visa office
Find the visa office that serves the place where you live. Its instructions may tell you what else to include in your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Canada visa office handles adopted-child sponsorship applications for someone living in your city?”
Download the application forms
Download the sponsorship forms IMM 1344 and IMM 0133, IMM 1283 if required, and document checklist IMM 5287.
Find the formsSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Canada adopted-child sponsorship forms IMM 1344, IMM 0133, IMM 1283 and IMM 5287?”
Fill in the forms
Your adoptive parent fills in the sponsorship forms and signs them as instructed. Your parent also completes the Quebec sponsorship undertaking if it applies.
Get help with formsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Canada adopted-child sponsorship forms?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create or sign in to your Permanent Residence Portal account and complete forms IMM 0008, IMM 5669 and IMM 5406. If you are under 18, your adoptive parent or guardian may complete them for you; scan and upload the checklist and supporting documents.
Start your applicationPay the fees online
Pay the sponsorship and processing fees, and the biometrics fee if it applies, through the online payment service. Save your receipt and upload it to your application.
Pay the feesSubmit your application
Electronically sign and submit your permanent residence and sponsorship applications together in the portal. If you are under 18, your adoptive parent or guardian may submit them for you.
Submit your applicationAttend your medical exam
When you receive medical instructions, book an exam with an approved doctor and pay the doctor directly. The doctor will send in your results.
Find an approved doctorBook your biometrics appointment
If you are over 14, wait for your biometrics instruction letter, then book an appointment at a collection location. You must give your biometrics within 30 days of the letter.
Find a collection locationGive your biometrics
If you are required to give biometrics, attend your appointment with your instruction letter and passport.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to my biometrics appointment for Canada adopted-child sponsorship?”
Wait for the decision
Check your application status and respond to any requests for more documents, an interview, photographs or your passport. You can link your application to an account or use the status tracker once you have the required numbers.
Check your application statusTravel to Canada
If you are outside Canada and your application is approved, travel before your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and any required visa expire. Present them to a border officer when you enter Canada.
Plan your arrivalSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Canada after my adopted-child sponsorship application is approved?”
Once in CanadaOnce in Canada
Confirm your permanent residence
If you are in Canada when your application is approved, follow the instructions to confirm your permanent residence through the Permanent Residence Portal. You may be asked to attend an interview.
Confirm your residenceProvide your Canadian address
After you arrive or confirm your permanent residence, follow the instructions and provide a Canadian address. Your permanent resident card can then be sent to you.
Provide your addressSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I provide a Canadian address for my permanent resident card after adopted-child sponsorship?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your birth certificate. Your Canadian parent can also provide their Canadian birth certificate as proof of citizenship.
Adoption documents
Provide the final adoption order or adoption certificate and the records showing that your adoption was legal. If a guardian is applying for you, include evidence of their legal guardianship where required.
Parent-child relationship evidence
Provide evidence that you and your Canadian parent have a genuine parent-child relationship. If you were adopted at 18 or older, the evidence must show that the relationship existed before you turned 18 and when you were adopted.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide proof that your Canadian parent is a Canadian citizen. This can be their citizenship certificate or card, or their Canadian birth certificate.
Parent's marriage certificate *
Provide your Canadian parent's marriage certificate. If a previous marriage ended, include the divorce or death certificate that shows how it ended, where required.
* Only if your Canadian parent is married.
May need translationParent's common-law declaration *
Provide your Canadian parent's common-law declaration as requested in the checklist or portal. Include the supporting civil-status records requested for your parent.
* Only if your Canadian parent has a common-law partner.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Time spent in Canada
To keep permanent residence, holders must spend at least 730 days in Canada during the preceding five years.
The days do not have to be continuous, and some time abroad can count in limited circumstances.
Voting and office limits
Permanent residents cannot vote or run for political office.
Permanent residence can end
Permanent residence can end by official decision, giving it up voluntarily, a removal order taking effect, or becoming a Canadian citizen.
Falling short of the required time in Canada does not end it automatically; an official decision is needed.
An expired permanent resident card alone does not end the status.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
CAPAGO Algérie - VISA FRANCE SHENGEN CANADA
French Facebook group for people interested in Canadian visas
Join on FacebookIRCC Online PR Portal Updates
English Facebook group for people living in Canada interested in Canadian visas
Join on FacebookProcédure arrima🇨🇦 Résidence permanente + PMI+
French Facebook group for people living in Canada interested in Canadian visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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