I’ve done the necessary paperwork, I’m a citizen or permanent resident of good standing, and I went through a reputable adoption agency. Why is my adoption taking so long?

Intercountry adoption is a complex process. Canadian families planning to adopt a child in another country should understand that, even under ideal conditions, the process will take time. Depending on the child’s country of origin, it is not unusual for the entire process to take two years or even longer.

Intercountry adoption procedures established by IRCC are intended to protect the child. These include evidence that the biological parents have given their free and informed consent to the adoption before it takes place, and confirmation that the adoption is in accordance with the laws of both countries.

In some parts of the world, child trafficking is a serious concern, and documentation is non-existent or unreliable, or there is evidence of wrongdoing in the adoption system or limited infrastructure to support the protection of children. In these cases, we must do additional verifications to ensure the child was not taken from, or sold by, their biological parents.