Guide 5525 – Basic guide: Sponsor your spouse, …disfly.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/original/2X/2/2bceb...2016/12/16 Guide 5525 – Basic guide: Sponsor your spouse, partner or child

2016/12/16 Guide 5525 – Basic guide: Sponsor your spouse, partner or child

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5525ETOC.asp 1/22

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Use this guide to prepare both:

your application to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child and

your spouse, partner or dependent child’s application for permanent residence.

Note: If you’re sponsoring an adopted child and other relatives, use the sponsorship package

for adopted children and other relatives (/english/information/applications/famcls.asp) instead.

You should be able to prepare your application package with all the requested

documents by following the steps in this guide.

If you need more information, you can click on the various links provided in the text or get

more details in this guide:

Complete guide for sponsors and applicants for permanent residence - spouses,

partners, children (/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp)

You can request this publication in another format. (/english/resources/publications/index.asp)

Steps to apply

Guide 5525 – Basic guide: Sponsoryour spouse, partner or child

This is not a legal document. The explanations and definitions are not legal

definitions. In case of a discrepancy between the language in this document and the

relevant legislation or regulations, the legal text in the legislation and regulations

prevails.

For legal information, see the:

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-

2.5/)

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (http://laws-

lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2002-227/)

Citizenship Act (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-29/)

Citizenship Regulations (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-93-

246/index.html)

http://www.canada.ca/en/index.html

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/famcls.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/index.asp

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-2.5/

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2002-227/

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-29/

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-93-246/index.html



Before you start

Get your checklist

Fill out your forms

Gather your documents

Check for common mistakes

Pay your fees

Submit your application

What to expect after you submit the application

Appendix A - Key definitions

Appendix B - Photo specifications

Before you start

For explanations of the terms used in the application process, see Appendix A: Key

definitions.

After you have read the definitions, please follow the steps in this guide to prepare and submit

your application, including the forms and documents that need to be submitted by:

the sponsor

the principal applicant

the principal applicant’s family members

What it means to sponsor someone

When you agree to sponsor, you sign an undertaking (http://laws-

lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/page-28.html), promising to give financial

support for the basic needs of the people you are sponsoring, and any of their dependent

children. The undertaking length varies, based on the type of family member you are

sponsoring, and is between 3 and 10 years for non-residents of Quebec. Quebec will impose

their own undertaking length.

Please see the Complete Guide for details on the length of the undertaking

(/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#length).

Basic needs are

food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living

dental care, eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services

Before signing the undertaking, you should make sure that those you sponsor won’t need to

ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll need to pay back

what they received during the undertaking period. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else

until you have repaid the amount.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/page-28.html

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#length



The undertaking is a binding promise of support meaning that your responsibility to support

the applicant(s) will stay in effect for the length of the undertaking period even if your situation

changes. For example, the undertaking won’t be cancelled even if:

the person you are sponsoring becomes a Canadian citizen

you become divorced, separated or your relationship with the sponsored person breaks

down

the person you sponsor moves to another province or country

you have financial problems

Eligibility

Who can become a sponsor

You can become a sponsor if you are:

a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian

Indian Act (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/) or a permanent resident

at least 18 years old

living in Canada:

If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan

to live in Canada when your sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident.

You can’t sponsor someone if you are a permanent resident living outside Canada

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s conditions to be a sponsor

(http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/sponsors-

sponsored/requirements-sponsor/index.html).

able to prove that you have enough income to provide basic needs for your spouse or

partner’s dependent children. You must submit documents showing your financial

resources for the past 12 months only if the spouse or partner you are sponsoring has a

grandchild who is coming with them (see subsection 1(3) of the IRPR (http://laws-

lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/FullText.html) for more details).

You can’t be a sponsor if you:

were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less

than five years ago

sponsored a previous spouse or partner and three years have not passed since this

person became a permanent resident

are in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking, an immigration loan, a

performance bond or family support payments

are still going through the process of bankruptcy (undischarged bankruptcy)

receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability

were convicted of a violent or sexual offence, an offence that caused bodily harm to a

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/sponsors-sponsored/requirements-sponsor/index.html

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/FullText.html



relative or you attempted or threatened to commit any of these offences

are in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison

are under a removal order

have already applied to sponsor your current spouse, partner or child and a decision on

your application hasn’t been made yet.

Who you can sponsor

1. You can sponsor your spouse

(/english/information/applications/guides/5525ETOC.asp#spouse), common-law

partner (/english/information/applications/guides/5525ETOC.asp#partner) or

conjugal partner

(/english/information/applications/guides/5525ETOC.asp#conjugal) if:

your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner is at least 18 years old

your relationship is genuine (real) and was not entered into primarily for the

purpose of acquiring any status or privilege under the Immigration and Refugee

Protection Act.

If your spouse or common-law partner is applying in the Spouse or Common-law

Partner in Canada class, he or she must cohabit (live) with you in Canada.

2. You can sponsor your dependent child as long as the child meets the definition of a

dependent child (/english/information/applications/guides/5525ETOC.asp#dependent).

If you are sponsoring more than one dependent child, you must submit a complete set of

application forms and documents for each one. Applications to sponsor dependent

children are processed outside Canada.

To be eligible for permanent residence, the principal applicant and any dependants must

not be inadmissible (/english/information/inadmissibility/index.asp) to Canada.

Read more about eligibility requirements

(/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#eligibility) in the Complete

Guide.

Sponsors living in Quebec

The province of Quebec has its own immigration rules. Find out how to sponsor someone if

you live in Quebec (http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/sponsors-

sponsored/index.html).

After your application is received, we will send you an email or letter with instructions about

how to apply to the Quebec government (http://www.immigration-

quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/sponsors-sponsored/apply/undertaking-

application/index.html) to become a sponsor. If Quebec approves you as a sponsor, you will

get a Quebec Selection Certificate.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/inadmissibility/index.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#eligibility

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/sponsors-sponsored/index.html

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/sponsors-sponsored/apply/undertaking-application/index.html



We encourage you to prepare your Quebec sponsorship application in advance to avoid

delays.

If you need help, contact the Quebec ministry for immigration (http://www.immigration-

quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/reach/index.html).

Getting started on your application

Step 1: Read this guide

You should review this entire guide before you start to fill out forms or prepare documents.

This guide also has a section which will help you avoid common mistakes.

Step 2: Get your checklist

The document checklist:

tells you which forms you need

lists all the documents you must submit, and

links you to instructions to fill out each form.

Depending on your application, you will use one of these checklists:

Checklist for spouse (including dependent children) [IMM 5533] (PDF (Portable

Document Format), 1.30 MB (Megabyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5533E.pdf)

Checklist for common-law partner (including dependent children) [IMM 5589] (PDF

(Portable Document Format), 1.30 MB (Megabyte))

(/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5589E.pdf)

Checklist for conjugal partner (including dependent children) [IMM 5629] (PDF (Portable

Document Format), 1.29 MB (Megabyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5629E.pdf)

Checklist for a dependent child only [IMM 5534] (PDF (Portable Document

Format), 1.23 MB (Megabyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5534E.pdf)

You must print, fill out and submit a copy of the applicable checklist with your application.

Place it at the top, as the cover of your application.

Step 3: Fill out your forms

Use the checklist (IMM 5533, IMM 5589, IMM 5629 or IMM 5534) to prepare your forms.

If you would like more detailed instructions for the forms

(/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#forms), please see the

Complete Guide.

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/reach/index.html

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5533E.pdf




http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#forms



Need help? Get help to open an application form (/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?

qnum=660&top=18) or to complete an application form (/english/helpcentre/results-by-

topic.asp?st=4.2).

Important: Declaring all your family members

If you are applying for permanent residence in Canada, you must declare all of your family

members (/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#family). There are no

exceptions to the requirement to declare all family members.

In addition, all family members must be examined as part of the process of applying for

permanent residence in Canada, even if they will not come to Canada with the principal

applicant.

Family members who are not declared and examined are excluded from the family class,

which means that they cannot be sponsored by you at a later date. Permanent residents who

did not declare all their family members on their application may also be subject to

enforcement proceedings that could lead to the loss of permanent resident status.

Find more information about why you must declare all family members

(/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=256&top=28).

Step 4: Gather your documents

To make sure you send us an application with all the necessary documents:

Use your checklist to make sure you include all the documents you need to submit:

For each item on the checklist, choose the situation that applies to you and check

the correct box.

Only submit documents that apply to your specific situation. We will contact you if

we need more information.

You must attach a certified copy of the original document and a certified

translation of any documents that are not in English or French. Please check the

country-specific requirements to see if you need to submit any original documents.

Check for country-specific requirements

You may need to submit extra forms based on where the person you are

sponsoring lives.

You may need to follow special instructions about specific documents you need to

provide based on the country where the document is issued. For example, there

are specific requirements for civil documents from different countries (e.g. birth

certificates, other proof of identity, child custody documentation, family booklets,

etc.).

You will find your country-specific requirements

(/english/information/applications/spouse.asp#country) on the application kit

page. From the drop down box, select the country where the person you are

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=660&top=18

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/results-by-topic.asp?st=4.2

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#family


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp#country



sponsoring is living to confirm if there are any specific requirements based on

country of residence. Also check the list of requirements for the country of

issuance of any specific documents (e.g. if you are living in the United States but

you are submitting a birth certificate issued in the Philippines, check the

requirements for “Philippines” to make sure the document you are submitting is

the right one). This will help make sure you include the correct documents for each

item on the checklist and will increase the chance that your application will be

accepted for processing.

After your application is accepted for processing, you will be asked to submit an

up-to-date background screening form and police certificate(s). Do not wait until

you receive this request to start gathering your police certificate(s). You should

take steps to get your police certificate(s) as soon as possible to avoid

processing delays. For more information, see What to expect after you submit

your application.

Step 5: Check your application to avoid common mistakes

If you do not include all of the requested forms and documents listed on the

checklist, your whole application will be returned to you without being processed.

Before moving on to Step 6, check to make sure you have avoided these common mistakes:

When you submit the application package, remember to put forms in the order they are

listed on your checklist (IMM 5533, IMM 5534, IMM 5589 or IMM 5629).

Do not use staples, binders, plastic sleeves, folders or albums to submit your

application. Elastic bands for photos or paper clips are acceptable.

If the principal applicant is a dependent child, including someone younger than 18 years

old, make sure you submit the Additional Family Information [IMM 5406] (PDF (Portable

Document Format), 570.00 KB (Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5406E.pdf) with

them listed as the principal applicant.

Make sure all email addresses on forms are correct. Errors or typos will cause delays in

being able to communicate with you, which could increase the time it takes to process

your application. Your application can only be processed accordingly with your response

and will be assessed based on the information you have provided.

If sponsoring more than one dependent child as a principal applicant, make sure you

submit individual complete applications for each child (i.e. each child should be listed

on their own Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and

Undertaking [IMM 1344] (PDF (Portable Document Format), 441.45 KB (Kilobyte))

(/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344E.pdf) and Generic Application Form for

Canada [IMM 0008] (PDF (Portable Document Format), 495.67 KB (Kilobyte))

(/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008ENU_2D.pdf)).

For spousal sponsorships, make sure you include a valid marriage certificate or proof

of registration of your marriage with your submission. A record of solemnization



http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008ENU_2D.pdf



(obtained in Canada) or marriage license will not be accepted as proof that the sponsor

and applicant are married.

Important information about children born to Canadian citizens

If you are a Canadian citizen who is sponsoring a spouse or partner, and you have a

child together, your child may be a Canadian citizen. A Canadian citizen is not eligible

to be sponsored. The official way to confirm whether your child is a Canadian citizen is

to apply for a proof of citizenship (/english/information/applications/certif.asp). If it is

confirmed that your child is a Canadian citizen, you can apply for your child’s Canadian

passport (/english/passport/forms.asp). If this applies to you, you are encouraged to

provide a copy of your child’s proof of Canadian citizenship with your application, to

help us confirm that your child does not require immigrant processing. However, your

application will not be returned to you if you do not submit this.

For the forms

You must fill out all sections, unless instructed otherwise. If a section doesn’t apply to

you, you must write “Not applicable” or “N/A”. If you need more space for any section, use a

blank page to finish answering the question.

If you don’t know the complete date of birth, use “*” (star sign/asterisk) to fill in the

spaces for the year, month or day.

If you don’t have a family name on your passport or travel document, enter all given

names in the family name field and leave the given name field empty.

If you don’t have a given name on your passport or travel document, leave the given

name field blank.

Addresses

Addresses should be written out in full without using any abbreviations. Use the apartment or

unit number, if applicable. Example: 999 Family Street, Unit #3, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,

K3J 9T5

Email addresses

Make sure you have correctly typed (or clearly written) the email address for the

representative (if applicable), the sponsor and the principal applicant in the correct fields on

the IMM 5476, IMM 1344 and IMM 0008.

After we have accepted your application for processing and have created a record in our

system, we will send you an acknowledgement of receipt with your application number.

Providing an email address will make sure we communicate with you faster to:

send your acknowledgement of receipt, and

provide you with more information about how to create an online account and link your

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/certif.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/passport/forms.asp



application to your account, so that we can communicate with you more efficiently.

Signatures

Remember to check for a signature block on each form and sign it. Where a date is needed,

make sure you write one. Read the information below to see who needs to sign the forms. A

parent or legal guardian must sign on behalf of a dependent child under the age of 18, where

they are the principal applicant being sponsored on an application.

The sponsor must sign:

Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking [IMM 1344] (PDF

(Portable Document Format), 441.45 KB (Kilobyte))


Sponsorship Evaluation and Relationship Questionnaire [IMM 5532] (PDF (Portable

Document Format), 853.05 KB (Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5532E.pdf)

Sponsorship Evaluation [IMM 5481] (PDF (Portable Document Format), 742.74 KB

(Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5481E.pdf), only if you are sponsoring your

dependent child who has no dependent children of his or her own. Unless instructed

otherwise, if you live in Quebec, you don’t need to fill out this form.

Financial Evaluation [IMM 1283] (PDF (Portable Document Format), 1.24 MB

(Megabyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1283E.pdf), only if you are sponsoring a

dependent child who has a dependent child. Unless instructed otherwise, if you live in

Quebec, you don’t need to fill out this form.

Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF (Portable Document Format), 648.31 KB

(Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5476E.pdf), if applicable

The principal applicant (person being sponsored) over the age of 18 must sign:

Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking [IMM 1344] (PDF

(Portable Document Format), 441.45 KB (Kilobyte))


Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008] (PDF (Portable Document

Format), 495.67 KB (Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008ENU_2D.pdf)

Additional Dependants/Declaration [IMM 0008DEP] (PDF (Portable Document

Format), 424.19 KB (Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008DEPENU.pdf), only if

you have more than five dependants on your application

Additional Family Information [IMM 5406] (PDF (Portable Document

Format), 570.00 KB (Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5406E.pdf)

Sponsorship Evaluation and Relationship Questionnaire [IMM 5532] (PDF (Portable

Document Format), 853.05 KB (Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5532E.pdf); the

sponsor and principal applicant sign the same form

Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF (Portable Document Format), 648.31 KB

(Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5476E.pdf), if applicable







http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008ENU_2D.pdf

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008DEPENU.pdf






All dependants over the age of 18, whether accompanying or not, must sign:

Additional Family Information [IMM 5406] (PDF (Portable Document

Format), 570.00 KB (Kilobyte)) (/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5406E.pdf)

Note: If your dependent child is the principal applicant on a sponsorship application, you

should complete this form on their behalf regardless of their age.

Validate your forms

Some forms have a “Validate” button, specifically the IMM 1344, IMM 0008 and IMM 5669.

When you press the “validate” button, any missing information will be identified by a pop-up

error message or a red square around the fields that need to be completed. You should fill out

your forms on a computer and validate them to reduce mistakes and help you submit forms

that are complete.

Once validated, the IMM 1344 and IMM 0008 forms will create a barcode page (see image

below). Place these barcode pages on top of your application.

Barcode page:

Step 6: Pay your fees

Before you send us your application, use the fee table to find out how much you need to pay.

Spouse, partner or children




We recommend you pay the right of permanent resident fee

(/english/information/fees/fees.asp#rprf) (CAN$490) now to avoid future delays. You will have

to pay it before you become a permanent resident.

Application

Number of

Applications

Price (C$)/

Application

Amount

due

Sponsor your spouse or partner

Sponsorship fee ($75), principal applicant processing fee

($475) and right of permanent resident fee ($490)

1 x $1040 $1040

Sponsor your spouse or partner (without right of

permanent residence fee)

Sponsorship fee ($75) and principal applicant processing fee

($475)

x $550

Sponsor a dependent child

(/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#dependent_child)

Sponsor only a dependent child ($75 sponsorship fee and

$75 processing fee) or include one on an application with your

spouse or partner ($150)

x $150

Your dependent children don’t need to pay the right of permanent residence fee. This includes

any dependent child sponsored as a principal applicant.

Pay for your fees online and include a copy of the receipt with your application.

Pay your fees online (/english/information/fees/index.asp)

Step 7: Submit your application package

Now that you have completed your application, you can submit it for processing. You should

do the following:

1. Place a copy of the checklist (IMM 5533, IMM 5534, IMM 5589 or IMM 5629) on top of

your complete application package. This will help make sure the application can be

processed as fast as possible when it arrives in our office.

2. If you are applying under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class and the

person you are sponsoring is also applying for an open work permit

(/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1163&top=17), after the checklist, you should

place:

(per

child)

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp#rprf

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#dependent_child

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/index.asp




the work permit application form and

a separate fee payment receipt for the cost of the work permit application

3. Pick the correct mailing address:

4. Send the application package with all the requested documents to the address above.

New Pilot Project

Subscribe to get a text message when we get your family class sponsorship package

(/english/immigrate/sponsor/text-pilot.asp).

Note: In order to link your application to an online account, you will need information from your

application package. Please see below for more information about linking your application.

What to expect after you submit your application

Communication with IRCC

Application for spouses, common-law partners or conjugal partners and

dependent children (currently living outside Canada):

CPC Mississauga

P.O. Box 3000, Station A

Mississauga, ON

L5A 4N6

Note: Your spouse or common-law partner may be living in Canada with you, but if he

or she doesn’t plan to stay in Canada while the application is being processed,

choose this option.

or

Application for spouses or common-law partners (currently living in Canada)

applying under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class:

CPC-Mississauga

P.O. Box 5040, Station B

Mississauga, ON

L5A 3A4

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/text-pilot.asp



It is important to make sure that we always have your or your representative’s most current

contact information, including phone numbers, emails, and mailing addresses. We will send

time-sensitive and official correspondence to the contact information we have on file. For

faster processing times, we will use your email, if you have provided one, and you should

answer as soon as possible. Make sure you check your spam folder in case our messages

are directed there. To make communication even easier and more secure, we recommend

creating an account online (see info below).

Sponsors

After we receive your application, it will be checked to make sure you have submitted all

forms and documents on the document checklist. If you have not, the application package will

be returned to you unprocessed. If the application has all the requested forms and documents,

you will get an email or letter confirming that the application has been accepted for

processing.

We will assess your eligibility to sponsor and you will get an email or letter advising you of the

decision.

If your sponsorship undertaking is approved, the application for permanent residence

will be sent to a processing office for further review.

If your sponsorship undertaking is refused, you will get an email or letter explaining why.

If you choose to go ahead with the sponsorship even if you are found ineligible to

sponsor, the whole application package will be sent to a processing office for

further review.

Applicants (person being sponsored)

Once your sponsor is found to be eligible, we will send you an acknowledgement of receipt

with your application number. The section below explains what you should do when you get

this email or letter.

Link your application

1. Apply on paper

2. We send you instructions by

mail or email to create an online

account



With your acknowledgement of receipt email or letter, you will get instructions about how to

create an online account to link your paper application. To prepare, find out how to link your

application (/english/my_application/link.asp).

You will need the following details from your application to link it to your online account:

Category of application (i.e. permanent residence)

Family class subcategory:

Spouse

Common-law partner

Conjugal partner

Dependent children

Application number (will be provided in your acknowledgement of receipt)

Family name

City and country or territory of birth

Passport details: number, country of issuance, date of issue, and date of expiry

Intended place of residence in Canada: city, town or village, and province

Current marital status (as listed on application)

Number of family members (including the principal applicant) included in the application

For faster processing times, you should link your paper application to your online account

within seven calendar days. We will communicate with you or your designated

representative through this secure method.

Check your online account (/english/e-services/account.asp) for additional

information needed to process your application

After linking your application, check right away to see what else we need to process your

application.

Everyone will find the following in their account:

a request to complete and submit a background information form, known as Schedule

3. Create your online account

4. Link your application to your

account

5. Get updates and messages

about your application online

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/my_application/link.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/account.asp



A.

a request to submit a police certificate(s).

You may also see a request for other documents or information specific to your situation. We

can’t complete processing without the requested information.

If after seven days you have not linked your application, an email or letter will be sent to you

asking you for the requested documents.

Creating an online account and linking your application to that account will reduce the time it

takes to process your application because it reduces communication time. If you do not link

your paper application to an online account, it will likely increase your processing time.

Failure to respond to a request to submit documents within the allotted time could result in the

refusal of your application.

Police certificates

Sponsored spouses, partners and dependent children do not have to include police

certificates with their application package.

Once the application is being processed, we will ask for police certificate(s) from the principal

applicant and any family members over the age of 18 (whether they will accompany the

principal applicant to Canada or not). This is used to help assess admissibility.

When we ask you for police certificate(s) at this stage, you’ll have to submit them for:

the country where you currently live, if you have lived there for six months or more; and

the country where you have spent most of your adult life since the age of 18.

The same applies to your family members who need to submit a police certificate.

Find more information about police certificates (/english/information/security/police-

cert/intro.asp).

After your application has been reviewed, we will contact you if we need additional police

certificates to process your application.

If you (or your family members) can’t get a police certificate for the two situations above, you

will need to explain, in writing, why you can’t provide one. You should also include any

supporting documentation you already have to support your explanation. We will review your

explanation and let you know if we need more information or documentation.

Note: Some countries need a consent form from IRCC to issue a police certificate. Find out

(/english/information/security/police-cert/index.asp) if the country from which you need a police

certificate requires a consent form. If so, you should submit the consent form to us in place of

the police certificate. We will assess the consent form and start the police certificate request.

We encourage you to get your police certificates in advance to avoid delays.

Submit your Schedule A – Background / Declaration (IMM 5669)

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/intro.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/index.asp



Submit your Schedule A – Background / Declaration (IMM 5669)

View form IMM 5669 (PDF (Portable Document Format), 390.66 KB (Kilobyte))

(/english/pdf/kits/forms/eIMM5669E.pdf)

All applicants over the age of 18 and all principal applicants (including a dependent child

under the age of 18) must upload a validated electronic copy of this form within 30 days from

the date of the acknowledgement email or letter.

To speed up processing and avoid delays, we strongly recommend that you:

fill out this form electronically while waiting for your acknowledgement of receipt

make sure the form is validated

save a validated copy so it’s ready to upload to your online account as soon as you link

your application

Important: When you are completing your personal history, don’t leave any gaps in time.

Pay close attention to questions 6 and 9. Gaps in time will cause delays in processing

because we will ask you to re-submit a new form. Your application can only be processed

accordingly with your response and will be assessed based on the information you provide.

See example of a complete answer below:

From

(YYYY-

MM)

To

(YYYY-

MM)

Activity

Type

Job/Activity

Title,

Position

City/town

and

Country

Status

in

Country

Name of

company,

employer,

school etc.

2015-05 2016-

01

Employment Salesperson Ottawa,

Canada

Work

visa

XYZ Company

2014-02 2015-

04

Unemployed unemployed Beijing,

China

Citizen

2009-01 2014-

01

Educational

Activity

student Toronto,

Canada

Study

visa

University of

Toronto

2007-11 2008-

12

Unemployed vacation Toronto,

Canada

Visitor

visa

2006-01 2007-

10

Educational

Activity

student Beijing,

China

citizen ABC high

school

Do your medical exam

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/eIMM5669E.pdf



All of your family members need to have a medical exam, even if they aren’t applying to come

to Canada with you. Failure to declare and have family members examined will affect your

application, and your ability to sponsor them in the future.

After you have linked your application, you will be able to check to see if you have received a

request to do your medical exam.

If you see a request for a medical exam, you must:

download and print the IMM 1017 form, which will be issued to you and all family

members (if applicable) with instructions for completing the medical exam

make sure you bring the IMM 1017 form with you to your exam. This will ensure you

aren’t asked to do medical tests that aren’t needed to process your application.

take the medical exam within 30 days of receiving the request in your online account

You should not be concerned if you do not see a request to do your medical exam in your

online account immediately after you link your application. Because medical results can

expire, we might not issue medical instructions to you immediately after receiving your

application. This is to ensure a new medical exam will not be required again later. You should

monitor your online account so that you are able to comply within 30 days of receiving your

medical instructions.

Important notice about misrepresentation

If you are applying to sponsor someone, or you are applying for permanent residence yourself,

you are personally responsible for the contents of your application. If you or someone acting

on your behalf submits false documents or misrepresents facts relating to your application for

a permanent resident visa, your application will be refused and a record of the

misrepresentation will be kept. Applicants and their dependant(s) could be deemed

inadmissible to Canada for five years under subsection 40(2) of the Immigration and Refugee

Protection Act. For more information, see misrepresentation

(/english/information/protection/fraud/document.asp).

Important notice about complying with officer requests in a timelymanner

To make sure your application is processed as fast as possible, you should submit requested

documents within set timeframes. If you need more time to provide information, you must ask

for an extension in writing. You must request an extension within the set timeframe and explain

why you are unable to comply. Your application will be processed accordingly with your

response and will be assessed based on the information you provided.

Open work permits for spouses or common-law partners in Canada

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/protection/fraud/document.asp



If you are applying under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class and you have

submitted an application for an open work permit, your work permit will be processed within

four months.

Requests for additional documents or information

We may ask you to submit more documents at a later date if we need more information to

assess your application. If you have created an online account, you should monitor it for

requests during processing.

Photos

If your application is approved, photos will be used to create the first Permanent Resident

Card for you (and your family members, if applicable). To avoid delays in getting your card, it’s

important that the photos meet certain specifications. See Appendix B for photo

specifications.

While your application is being processed

For information on the estimated time it will take to process your application, you can check

current application processing times (/english/information/times/index.asp).

You should monitor your online account (/english/e-services/account.asp) for any important

updates to your application.

We also recommend that you take the time to prepare for life in Canada

(/english/newcomers/before-move.asp) well in advance.

Appendix A: Key definitions

Sponsor:

A Canadian Citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian

Act (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/) or permanent resident of Canada who is 18

years of age or older and is applying to bring a family member (who is a member of the family

class) to Canada as a permanent resident. To be a sponsor, you must promise to give

financial support for the basic needs of your family members and their dependent children.

You must also meet all of the sponsorship eligibility requirements. See subsection 130(1) of

the IRPR (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/FullText.html) for the

legal definition.

Principal applicant:

When a family applies for permanent residence together, one family member must be the

main or “principal” applicant. If the main purpose of the application is to sponsor a spouse or

partner for permanent residence in Canada, the principal applicant is the spouse or partner. If

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/index.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/account.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-move.asp

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/




the main purpose of the application is to sponsor a dependent child for permanent residence

in Canada, the principal applicant is the dependent child.

Spouse:

A partner with whom you are legally married. Includes both opposite- and same-sex

relationships, but does not include common-law partnerships. See section 2 of the IRPR

(http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/FullText.html) for the legal

definition of marriage.

Common-law partner:

A person who has been living together with another person in a conjugal relationship for at

least one year. Includes opposite- and same-sex relationships. See subsection 1(1) of the

IRPR (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/FullText.html) for the legal

definition.

Conjugal partner:

A person outside Canada who has had a binding relationship with a sponsor for at least one

year, but could not live with their partner. Includes both opposite- and same-sex relationships.

See section 2 of the IRPR (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-

227/FullText.html) for the legal definition.

Dependent child:

A child who depends on their parent (i.e. the principal applicant and/or the sponsor) for

financial or other support. A son or daughter is a dependant of their parent when the child is:

under 19 years old and does not have a spouse or partner or

19 years old and over and has depended substantially on the parent’s financial support

since before the age of 19 because of a physical or mental condition.

See section 2 of the IRPR (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-

227/FullText.html) for the legal definition.

Accompanying dependant:

Any dependent child or dependant of a dependent child (grandchild) who plans to immigrate

to Canada with the principal applicant. They are included on the application.

When sponsoring more than one child as a principal applicant, each child must have its own

application form. They are not considered to be accompanying dependants of each other.

Non-accompanying dependant:

Children who meet the definition of a dependent child but who are not immigrating to Canada

along with the principal applicant. They must be listed on the principal applicant’s application

for permanent residence and must be examined in order to process the principal applicant

and remain eligible for sponsorship at a later date.







Family members:

An applicant’s closest relatives, in the context of an application. It is defined as a spouse or

common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children. See subsection 1(3)

of the IRPR (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/FullText.html) for the

legal definition.

Family Class:

This immigration category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor

certain members of their family to come to Canada as permanent residents. See section 116

of the IRPR (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/FullText.html) for the

legal definition.

Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class:

This immigration category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their

spouses or common-law partners who live with them in Canada and have temporary resident

status. See sections 123 and 233 of the IRPR (http://laws-

lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/FullText.html) for the legal definition.

Appendix B: Photo specifications

Notes to the applicant

TAKE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Make sure that you provide the correct number of photos specified in the Checklist.

You must provide identical and unaltered photographs.

Photographs may be in colour or in black and white.

Photographs must be original and not altered in any way or taken from an existing

photograph.

Photographs must reflect your current appearance (taken within the past six (6) months).

Notes to the photographer

The photographs must be:

taken by a commercial photographer;

50 mm x 70 mm (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face

measures between 31 mm and 36 mm (1 1/4 inches and 1 7/16 inches) from chin to

crown of head (natural top of head);

clear, sharp and in focus;

taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed,





http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5525ETOC.asp 21/22Government of Canada activities and initiatives

no smiling);

taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections;

taken straight on, with face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera (i.e. the

photographs must show the full front view of the person’s head and shoulders, showing

the full face centered in the middle of the photograph);

taken in front of a plain white background with a clear difference between the person’s

face and the background. Photographs must reflect and represent natural skin tones.

The back of one (1) photograph must:

bear the name and date of birth of the subject, as well as the name and complete

address of the photography studio;

bear the date the photograph was taken;

The photographer may use a stamp or handwrite this information. Stick-on labels are

unacceptable.

Date Modified:

2016-12-15



Government of Canada activities and initiatives

Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

(http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/12/09/communique-canadas-first-ministers)

Canada's First Ministers release the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and

Climate Change

2016 International Assistance Review: What we heard

(http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/development-developpement/iar-consultations-

eai/report-rapport.aspx?lang=eng)

Find out what our partners in Canada and around the world had to say about building a better

world.

Have your say about our democracy!

(https://www.mydemocracy.ca/)

Your feedback will help shape a healthier democracy. Have your say!

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/12/09/communique-canadas-first-ministers

http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/development-developpement/iar-consultations-eai/report-rapport.aspx?lang=eng

https://www.mydemocracy.ca/

Documents

Guide 5525 – Basic guide: Sponsor your spouse, …disfly.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/original/2X/2/2bceb...2016/12/16 Guide 5525 – Basic guide: Sponsor your spouse, partner or child