Health and safety advice when travelling for international adoptions
Learn about safety and health considerations when travelling outside Canada for an international adoption.
On this page
- Considerations when planning an international adoption
- Travelling to your child's country of origin
- Returning to Canada with your child
Considerations when planning an international adoption
In Canada, international adoptions include both an adoption process and an immigration or citizenship process.
Adoption considerations for 2SLGBTQI+ couples
If you are considering becoming a parent through adoption abroad, be aware that 2SLGBTQI+ couples may face discrimination from national authorities responsible for child welfare.
Some countries may prevent 2SLGBTQI+ people from adopting a child because it is against their laws, culture or beliefs. You could face discrimination from national authorities responsible for adoption.
- Carefully research countries that have laws in place to allow 2SLGBTQI+ people to adopt a child.
- Work closely with your provincial or territorial adoption central authority (IRCC) to ensure the adoption process complies with the legislation and procedures both in Canada and in the other country.
Health considerations for an adopted child
Parents planning an international adoption should consult a health care provider to discuss:
- the health information you have about your child
- if the adoption agency has informed you that your child has a health issue, ask your health care provider if any specialized care is needed and if so, whether or not this care is available in your area
- developmental and health issues that may be more common in internationally adopted children
- an appointment upon returning to Canada for the health care provider to see the child
Consider making an appointment (a pre-adoption consultation) with an adoption medical specialist to discuss your child’s file.
Travelling to your child's country of origin
When travelling to a different country, it’s important to plan for you and your child’s health and safety.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Before you go
- Check your destination on Travel Advice and Advisories.
- Verify in advance whether you need a visa to enter your destination country.
- Buy travel insurance.
- Sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad to be notified in case of an emergency at your destination.
- Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel. Even if your travel date is coming up soon, it's still a good idea to make an appointment. Discuss with them:
- about updating your routine vaccinations, if needed
- if any other vaccines, like the yellow fever vaccine, are required or recommended for travel
- whether you need anti-malaria pills or any other medications for travel
- if so, request that your prescription last for more than the length of your trip, as delays in the adoption process may occur while you are outside Canada
- travel health measures like
- safe food
- water precautions
- insect bite prevention
Sometimes internationally adopted children may have illnesses that aren’t properly diagnosed, or have yet to be diagnosed, which can be spread to family members and other close contacts.
It’s recommended that anyone who will be in close contact with the adopted child, including other family members, schedule an appointment with a health care provider.
Do this preferably 6 weeks before the adopted child arrives in Canada to:
- make sure that their routine vaccinations are up to date
- find out if they require additional vaccinations against certain diseases that may be more common in the adopted child’s country of origin, like hepatitis A and hepatitis B
Learn more about adoption considerations for 2SLGBTQI+ couples.
While you're there
The pre-adoption care that children receive and the quality of their records vary widely among countries. Try to collect as much information about your child’s medical history and care as you can, recognizing that even if the information is available, it might not be accurate.
Some questions to ask include:
- pregnancy and birth
- birth date
- birth weight
- where was the child born
- gestational age (length of the pregnancy)
- were there any complications during the pregnancy or birth
- housing and type of care
- where did the child live (such as foster parents’ home, orphanage/institution, hospital)
- what type of care did he or she receive there
- medical care
- has the child received any vaccinations
- which ones and when
- try to get the written records
- has the child been ill, hospitalized, or required surgery
- why
- record the names of the medications and procedures the child received, including test results, if available
- is the child currently taking any medications
- has the child received any vaccinations
- biological parents
- ages, if known
- medical histories, including substance abuse and addiction
Returning to Canada with your child
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires an immigration medical exam for all children immigrating to Canada (IRCC), before issuing a permanent resident visa. For children under 5 years old, this includes a medical history and physical exam.
Your province or territory or a licensed adoption agency will let you know when the medical exam will take place and what this entails. You must also sign a statement that you’ve obtained any information about any medical conditions the child may have.
You should also visit your own health care provider within 2 to 3 weeks of returning home with your child.
The visit will allow your health care provider to assess available documents.
They will also:
- determine if your child is adequately immunized
- many vaccines that are routinely given in Canada, like the vaccines for mumps, rubella, chicken pox (varicella) and meningococcal disease are in limited use in other countries
- your health care provider will review your child’s immunization record, if they have one
- sometimes vaccine records of adopted children from other countries are different than the recommended schedule of immunizations in Canada
- your health care provider may suggest re-vaccination to bring your child’s vaccinations up to date, if needed
- assess your child’s growth, development, and any attachment (or bonding) difficulties
- conduct a physical exam
- perform tests to screen for health issues based on your child’s risk factors, country of origin, or physical exam
- these might include tests:
- for diseases that may be more common in your child’s country of origin, like tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV or other infectious diseases
- for diseases that are more common in people with the same ethnic background as your child, like certain blood disorders
- for hearing and vision
- to check how different parts of the body, like the thyroid, kidneys, or liver, are functioning
- these might include tests:
Seek medical care quickly if the child has a fever, diarrhea, vomiting or loss of appetite after you return home.
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