Should I apply for permanent residence for my adopted child, rather than Canadian citizenship?

Some families may choose to apply for permanent residence instead of Canadian citizenship for their adopted child. This allows the child to decide later, as an adult, whether they want to become a citizen. This may be important if the child’s country of origin doesn’t allow dual citizenship.

Becoming a permanent resident first

If the adopted child becomes a permanent resident and is granted Canadian citizenship through naturalization, they may later

• pass on Canadian citizenship to children born outside Canada
• apply for a direct grant of citizenship for adopted people for children they adopt outside Canada

Adopted people who become Canadian citizens through a direct grant for adopted people may not be able to pass on their citizenship due to the first-generation limit to citizenship.

There are exceptions to the first-generation limit.

Find out if you’re affected by the first-generation limit to citizenship.

If you decide to apply for citizenship by direct grant of citizenship for adopted people

To apply for a direct grant of citizenship for your adopted child, you must be

• a Canadian citizen by birth in Canada or by naturalization or
• a Canadian citizen born or adopted outside Canada to a Canadian parent who has spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the adoption of your child

Apply for a direct grant of citizenship for adopted people.