|
 |
    |
|
| |
 | |
| |
| |
| |
 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Home > About Adoption > Intercountry > FAQ's
Why intercountry adoption?
Why intercountry adoption? Prospective adoptive parents come to international adoption from a variety of situations. Some want to adopt a relative's child from their birth country; some want to adopt from a certain country because of cultural connections or because they have travelled to a particular country and feel a connection to it. Some are unsure of which country to adopt from and want to explore international adoption options.
What is the process to adopt internationally? The laws, requirements and processes for intercounrty adoption vary greatly by country and are subject to change. Prospective adopters are advised to consult with their licensed adoption agency, other adoptive families and also research fully before proceeding. Under BC law, all intercountry adoptions must be facilitated by one of BC's five licensed adoption agencies. Agencies are required to provide a homestudy and an educational component to all adopting families. All parents must also complete the sponsorship application with Canada Immigration. The Canada Immigration website gives details on the immigration process, which includes the initial sponsorship of the child and obtaining the visa to bring the child to Canada. A homestudy and a medical examination of the child are required to complete the immigration process. Most international adoptions are completed in the child's country, according to the adoption laws of that country. The laws and procedures regarding adoption can change quickly. Your agency will help you find out the country's requirements, eligibility and costs. For more information about the process click here. How long does it take? The length of time it takes varies depending on the needs and requirments of the participating agency, sending country or individuals adopting. In intercountry adoption, country politics and shifting regulations can speed up or slow down the adoption process. The education program, the hometudy and the Canadian Immgration Process takes a minimum of several mnths. Gathering other required documents also takes time. Adoptive families will wait to have a child proposed to them and then wait for the legal adoption papers and travel papers for their child to be completed. The entire process can take between 1-2 years, sometimes longer.What are the costs? Intercountry adoption costs range from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on the country of choice and the associated costs, such as agency fees, travel costs, orphanage donation and individual country requirements. The average cost is approximately $25,000. Financing is available through the National Bank of Canada. The cost may be financed over a period of time up to 10 years and up to $20,000. (A larger amount can be approved on a case by case basis.) Canadian adopters are now eligible for a $10,000 non-refundable tax credit.Who are BC's adoption agencies? Five of BC's six licensed agencies offer international adoption programs. There are agencies in Kelowna, Victoria, Abbotsford, Surrey, Vancouver and North Vancouevr. Agencies focus on local infant and intercountry adoption.An agencies' role in intercountry adoption is to support parents in completing their homestudy, to support them in choosing a country and a facilitator (if one is required or available), and to support them throughout the adoption process and providing post-adoption support. AFABC works closely with BC's licensed agencies, partnering with them in providing pre- and post-adoption education and support. How can I find out more about attachment? Attachment can be a concern for parents adopting children internationally. AFABC has many resources on attachment and adoption in our library. AFABC offers a two-part workshop series on Attachment Theory and Practical Strategies for your adoptive family. Click here to go to the attachment section of our website. Which countries can I adopt from? Not all countries offer international adoption. Each country that does sets their own adoption laws and eligibility requirements. Many countries have restrictions based on age, marital status, sexual orientation and health and financial status of potential adopters. Their requirements can change, and families must stay in touch with their agency to make sure the information they have is current. Countries close to international adoption for many reasons such as adoption legislation revisions, political unrest, non-compliance of adopting families with post-placement reports and suspected child trafficking. See the Ministry for Children and Family Development's Adoption Alerts for more information on closed countries. What is the Hague Convention?The Hague Convention (Convention on Protection of Children and cooperation in respect to Intercountry Adoption) is an international agreement, which Canada and many other countries have signed and ratified. It is intended to protect the interests of the child. Adoptions from non-Hague countries are possible. Ask your agency or go to the Hague website for more information. |
 |
Click here for a printer-friendly version of this page
