A law making it easier for children adopted abroad to become Canadian citizens went into effect Sunday, according to a statement on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website.
Parents previously had to apply to sponsor such adopted child to come to Canada, then seek permanent resident status for him or her, before finally applying for citizenship, a process that could take 18 months.
Now, based on an amendment to Canada's citizenship laws passed earlier this year, parents could directly seek Canadian citizenship for their adopted children from outside the country, and such a child can even obtain a Canadian passport before entering the country.
"Now, Canadians will apply for their adopted child's citizenship abroad rather than submit sponsorship and permanent resident applications. Parents will save time and have less paperwork as the steps are merged into one," said the statement, adding that the streamlined procedure does not apply to international adoptions completed in Canada.
"Canadian families open their hearts to adopt foreign-born children and we want to support them by making it easier for their adopted children to become Canadian citizens," said Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley.
Canada has welcomed more than 1 million immigrants over the past five years.
Source: Xinhua
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