As the evening chill settled over the resort town of La Porte de Huancayo, Janice and Trevor Walsh huddled with their newly adopted children, trying to explain why they couldn’t go “home” to Canada yet. The British Columbia couple had planned for a two-week stay in Peru to finalize their adoption of siblings Carlos, 7, and Elena, 5. That was four months ago.
“We’ve run out of clothes twice now,” Janice told me during our video call, her voice steady but tired. “The kids keep asking when they’ll see their new room, the one with the dinosaur wallpaper we showed them in photos.”
The Walshes represent a growing number of Canadian families caught in what adoption advocates call a “bureaucratic limbo” – having legally adopted children abroad but unable to bring them home due to unprecedented delays in obtaining permanent resident visas.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data reveals processing times for international adoption visas have stretched from an average of 7 months in 2019 to nearly 15 months today. For families already abroad with their children, this means expensive extended stays, employment complications, and significant emotional strain.
“We’ve both had to take unpaid leave,” Trevor explained, running his hand through his beard, noticeably longer than in the family photos on his phone. “Our savings are draining fast, and we’re renting this tiny apartment month-to-month because we keep thinking ‘surely this month will be the last.'”
Sandra Brandt, executive director of Adoption Connections Canada, points to several factors creating this perfect storm. “We’re seeing the collision of pandemic-related processing backlogs, staffing shortages at visa offices, and policy changes that weren’t implemented with clear transition plans,” she said.
The Adoption Council of Canada reports at least 37 Canadian families currently stranded overseas with their adopted children, awaiting visa approvals. The majority are in Haiti, South Korea, Peru, and Colombia.
For the Walsh family, the delay comes despite following every procedural requirement. They began their adoption journey in 2019, completed home studies, psychological evaluations, and financial assessments. Their adoption of Carlos and Elena was approved by both Peruvian and Canadian authorities in December 2023.
“What makes this particularly frustrating is that these children are legally their children now,” explained immigration lawyer Marisa Ferguson. “Under Peruvian law, the adoption is complete. Under Canadian law, they’re recognized as the legal parents. But the children still need permanent resident visas to enter Canada.”
The delays appear particularly pronounced for families adopting from countries that aren’t signatories to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, Ferguson noted. However, Peru is a Hague signatory country, making the Walsh case even more perplexing.
Last month, MP Jenny Kwan raised the issue in the House of Commons, citing the “devastating human cost” of these delays. “These families have done everything right, followed every rule, and now find themselves trapped abroad, burning through savings, missing work, and watching their children struggle with uncertainty,” Kwan said during question period.
IRCC Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the problem, attributing delays to “system-wide backlogs” and promising to expedite cases involving families already abroad. However, no specific timeline or action plan was announced.
The emotional toll extends beyond the parents. Child psychologists warn that these extended limbo periods can complicate attachment and adjustment for already vulnerable children.
“These kids have experienced enough transition and uncertainty,” said Dr. Elaine Chen, a psychologist specializing in adoption adjustment. “When we tell children they’re going to their ‘forever home’ and then keep them waiting in temporary situations for months, it can reinforce harmful beliefs that nothing is truly permanent.”
For Carlos and Elena, the wait has meant missing their first Canadian winter, the start of school, and countless family events. “Carlos was supposed to start Grade 2 in January,” Janice said. “Now we’re looking at him missing half the school year.”
The family has found temporary solutions – online schooling, connecting with local expatriate families – but the financial strain continues to mount. The Walshes estimate they’ve spent an additional $27,000 on accommodation, food, and essential needs during their extended stay.
Some families have found creative, if complicated, solutions. The Morgans from Halifax, stranded in Haiti for five months with their adopted daughter, eventually returned to Canada after obtaining a temporary resident permit – a process that itself took weeks and required intervention from their MP.
“No family should have to go through this,” said Adoption Connections Canada’s Brandt. “These aren’t just files on a desk. These are children waiting to start their lives and parents burning through savings and leave time.”
IRCC spokesperson Julie Labonte said in an emailed statement that the department “recognizes the challenges these families face” and is “working to address the backlog,” but provided no specific timeline or plan.
For the Walshes, each day brings a mixture of hope and disappointment. “Every morning I check my email before the kids wake up,” Trevor said. “Some days I can barely look because I don’t want to face another day of nothing.”
As our video call ended, Elena climbed onto Janice’s lap, curious about who I was. “When we go to Canada,” she said confidently in newly learned English, “I will have my own bed with stars.” Janice kissed the top of her head, eyes briefly closing.
“That’s right,” she whispered. “Stars and your very own window. Hopefully very soon.”
