Can I start the immigration process for an adopted child before the adoption is legally finalized?

The interaction between pre-finalization adoption immigration and Canadian law is complex, involving both federal immigration rules and Ontario's adoption legislation. In general, Canadian immigration requires the adoption to be legally finalized before a child can be granted permanent residence as an adopted child.

However, there are situations where prospective adoptive parents can bring a child to Canada on a temporary basis while the adoption process continues. This typically involves a Temporary Resident Permit or a Temporary Resident Visa, and Ontario's Children, Youth and Family Services Act and relevant international treaty obligations (the Hague Convention, if applicable) may impose additional requirements.

If you intend to adopt a child from abroad and bring them to Canada, engaging both an Ontario family lawyer experienced in intercountry adoption and an immigration lawyer simultaneously is strongly advisable. The two legal processes run in parallel and each has its own requirements and timing. Mistakes at either level — moving too fast on the immigration side without the provincial adoption order, or delay on the immigration side after adoption is complete — can cause serious and prolonged complications.