A new rule that will help Canadian parents gain citizenship for children they adopt overseas much faster came into effect Sunday.

The amended Citizenship Act means that children who are adopted from abroad won't have to follow the previous immigration rules of first obtaining permanent residence before applying for citizenship.

Justine Lafreniere and her husband Ray are pleased about the new rules for adopting children from overseas. They are adopting two children from Ethiopia next year.
(CBC)

The amended legislation, which streamlines the adoption process, something the federal government promised to do in the spring, brings the process more in line with the rule that applies to children who are born to Canadians overseas, adoption groups have said.

"Some years it took up to 18 months to get Canadian citizenship and, of course, a Canadian passport," said Karen Madeiros, executive director of Adoptive Families Association of B.C. "So this will make the process a lot shorter for families."

Justine Lafreniere and her husband Ray are one couple who will benefit from the new rule. They've applied to adopt two children from Ethiopia and will apply for their citizenships before they go there to bring them home.

"We're definitely hoping for next Christmas," she said.