Do the requirements for permanent residence and for a direct grant of citizenship differ for adopted children?

Yes, the criteria are different.

Citizenship for an adopted person

To apply for a direct grant of citizenship for an adopted child

• at least 1 adoptive parent must have been a Canadian citizen at the time of the adoption

  For adoptions that took place before January 1, 1947

  The person had to have at least 1 adoptive parent who became a Canadian citizen on January 1, 1947.

  For adoptions that took place before April 1, 1949, in Newfoundland and Labrador

  The person had to have at least 1 adoptive parent who became a Canadian citizen on April 1, 1949.

• the adoptive parent must be eligible to pass on Canadian citizenship by descent
• the adoption must meet all legal requirements under the Citizenship Act

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

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

Permanent residence for an adopted person

Both Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor an adopted child for permanent residence if the child will live in Canada after the adoption.

Unlike the citizenship process, permanent residence requires

• a medical exam
• background checks

Learn about permanent residence for adopted children.

Shared requirements for both processes

The adoption must

• be in the best interests of the child
• create a genuine parent-child relationship that permanently ends legal ties to the biological parents
• follow the laws of the country where the adoption took place and the laws where the adoptive parents live
• not be primarily for gaining citizenship or immigration status

If the adoption happened after age 18

• The adoption must
  • meet all the requirements above (except "the best interests of the child")
  • have created a genuine parent-child relationship at the time of adoption
• The relationship must have started before the adopted person turned 18
• Guardianships or similar custody arrangements do not qualify.