How the new law affects children adopted outside Canada
Between December 23, 2007, and April 17, 2009, children adopted outside Canada could become citizens without first having to immigrate to Canada, regardless of where their parents were born, as long as at least one was them is Canadian.
After April 17, 2009, adopted children are able to take this direct route to citizenship only if:
•one of their parents was born in Canada, or
•one of their parents became a Canadian citizen by immigrating to Canada and was later granted citizenship (also called naturalization).
Children adopted outside Canada who take the direct route to citizenship will be treated just like any child born outside Canada to a Canadian parent. This means that if that adopted person has, or adopts, a child outside Canada, their child will not be Canadian at birth or eligible for a citizenship grant using the direct route, unless the other parent was born or naturalized in Canada.
Children adopted outside Canada who come to the country as permanent residents and obtain citizenship through a regular grant are subject to the same rules as anyone born or naturalized in Canada. This means that any children they have outside Canada would automatically acquire Canadian citizenship, and their children adopted outside Canada would be eligible for a grant of citizenship through the direct route, without having to first become permanent residents.
