- in any of these countries or territories
- in the one year immediately before the date you want to enter Canada. (This applies even if you are a citizen of a country that does not need a visa to enter Canada.)
Regardless of the length of time you are in Canada, you will need a medical exam if you wish to work in one of the following fields:
- a designated occupation, such as the field of health services or with children. Examples of designated occupations include hospital staff, clinical laboratory workers, patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes, and medical and dental students admitted to attend Canadian universities;
- to work in agricultural occupations, you will need a medical exam if you have lived in certain countries or territories.
You and your family members may need a medical exam to come to Canada. Find out more by checking the Medical examination requirements for temporary residents.
- have an upfront medical exam by contacting a Panel Physician; or
- wait until your application is reviewed and medical instructions are given to you by the visa office.
Get the instructions to complete the medical exam.
When medical results are submitted up front, routine cases benefit from faster processing since we do not have to ask for them at a later date. This is done at your own cost and does not influence the final decision on your application. If you have an upfront medical exam, you must submit proof that you completed the medical exam with your application. Failure to do so may result in processing delays.
How often do you give your biometrics
You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years when you apply for a visa or permit. However, we can’t issue a visa or permit longer than 10 years from the last date you gave your biometrics.
When to give your biometrics
If you submit your application online or by mail.
You can give your biometrics after you:
- pay for and submit your application and biometric fees, and
- get a biometric instruction letter (BIL) that will direct you to a list of official locations you may choose from.
You must provide your biometric data promptly after receiving the instruction letter inviting you to do so.
If you submit your application in person at a visa application centre (VAC)
You may be able to book an appointment in advance to give your biometrics at the same time that you submit your application at a VAC. If you can’t give your biometrics when you submit your application you will have to make an appointment at the VAC to give them at a later date.
Extend the validity of your biometrics
If you want a visa or permit for longer than 10 years from the last date you gave your biometrics, you can choose to give your biometrics again when you apply. You can give your biometrics again even if they’re still valid.
Follow these steps when you apply for your visa or permit:
- Pay the biometrics fee when you apply.
- Wait for your biometric instruction letter (BIL). You must use the BIL that was issued for this application.
- Book an appointment and visit an official biometric collection location to give your biometrics again.
Where to give your biometrics
You need to book an appointment to give your biometrics at one of these official biometric collection service points.
We’ll start processing your application after we get your biometrics.
Can I work or study during my stay in Canada?
Visitors are not allowed to work or study in Canada unless they are authorized to do so under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations . In many cases, a work or study permit will be required.
A temporary resident may also take a program of study up to six months duration without having to obtain a study permit.
Information about the parent and grandparent super visa
About the super visa
The multiple-entry super visa allows parents and grandparents to
- enter Canada multiple times
- stay in Canada for a period of 5 years on each entry
Important information: Applicants who do not normally require a visa to enter Canada must also submit an application to a visa office. See the section below for visa-exempt applicants.
Who may apply for a super visa?
To apply for a super visa, you must either be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
You cannot include your dependent children in this application. If your spouse or common-law partner want to come with you, they also need to submit an application.
How do I apply for a super visa?
To apply for a super visa, you need to submit an application to a visa office and provide
- a letter of invitation written and signed by your child or grandchild promising financial support for the entire duration of your stay in Canada
- You must also include your host child or host grandchild’s family composition (dependents, including spouse, children or other relatives that are financially dependent on your host child or host grandchild).
- the most recent copy of their federal income tax notice of assessment
- If your child or grandchild does not have a paper copy of their notice of assessment, they can view (and print) their tax returns as well as other personal tax information using the Canada Revenue Agency’s My Account online service. To register or login, visit My Account.
- a letter from an accountant confirming annual income, if self-employed
- proof of other sources of income (for example, pension statement, investments)
- More information on approved insurance companies outside of Canada will be available in the coming months.
- This medical insurance must
- be paid in full (quotes aren’t accepted)
- covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation
- provide a minimum coverage of $100,000, and
- be valid for each entry to Canada and be available for review by a border services officer, upon request
After you apply, you will also need to undergo a medical examination and provide proof of the results.
Visa-exempt applicants
You are not required to pay the application processing fee or provide your biometrics.
If your application is approved, you will be directed to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). You will be provided with a letter that you will show to a border services officer upon arrival to Canada.
What must my child or grandchild do to meet the low income cut-off minimum?
You child or grandchild’s income must meet or exceed the minimum necessary cut-off, as identified annually in the income table.
In the letter of invitation, they must calculate their family size. This factor determines the amount of income required to provide care and support for you and your spouse, if applicable.
How to calculate family size:
- Your child or grandchild counts
- themselves
- their spouse or common-law partner
- their dependent children
- any person they may have sponsored previously and for whom the sponsorship agreement and undertaking are still in effect
- They count the number of persons they will be supporting
- you, and
- your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one
- They add together the number of persons covered by steps 1 and 2. The total represents their family size.
- They look at the LICO in the income table in this guide to determine if they meet the minimum required for their family size.
- To demonstrate that they meet the minimum income required, your child or grandchild may include one of the documents listed in the document checklist (IMM 5484).
If your child or grandchild does not meet the LICO minimum, their spouse or common-law partner can assist by also providing a letter of invitation with one of the documents listed in the document checklist (IMM 5484).
Step 1. Gather documents
What documents are required?
If you are outside of Canada, use the Document Checklist [IMM 5484] ( PDF , 1.12 MB ) to assist you in gathering the required documents to submit your application.
Some visa offices may require additional supporting documents specific to your country. For further information, check the Application for a Visitor Visa page.
If you are inside Canada, you must use the Document checklist – Applicants in Canada [IMM 5721] ( PDF , 0.91 MB ) to gather the documents required to submit your application to the Case Processing Centre – Ottawa (CPC-O).
Important information: If you do not provide all the requested information or documents, the processing of your application could be delayed.
Minors travelling alone
Minors (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with a person other than their parents or legal guardians should have a letter of authorization, preferably in English or French, signed by both parents or legal guardians. It should also include the name of the adult who will be responsible for the children in Canada.
Minors travelling with only one parent or legal guardian should have a letter of authorization, preferably in English or French, from the non accompanying parent or guardian.
Translation of documents
You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French:
- the English or French translation; and
- an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator).
Translations may be done by:
- a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French, and the unofficial language); or
- a Canadian certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada).
If the translation isn’t done by a Canadian certified translator, the person who completed the translation must provide an affidavit swearing to their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.
The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of:
In Canada:
- a notary public;
- a commissioner of oaths; or
- a commissioner of taking affidavits.
Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Consult your local provincial or territorial authorities.
Outside of Canada:
Authority to administer oaths varies by country. Consult your local authorities.
Important information: Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by members of the applicant’s family. This includes a parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and first cousin.
Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translators who are certified in Canada don’t need to supply an affidavit.
Certified true copies
To have a photocopy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare the original document to the photocopy and must print all of the following on the photocopy:
- “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”;
- the name of the original document;
- the date of the certification;
- the name of the authorized person;
- their official position or title; and
- their signature.
Who can certify copies?
Only authorized people can certify copies.
Important information: Certifying of copies must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by an applicant’s parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin.
People authorized to certify copies include the following:
In Canada:
- a notary public;
- a commissioner of oaths; or
- a commissioner of taking affidavits.
Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Check with your local provincial or territorial authorities to learn who has the authority to certify.
Outside Canada:
Authority to certify international documents varies by country. Check with your local authorities to learn who has the authority to certify in your country.
Step 2. Complete the application
Filling out the application
The following are the forms that must be filled out and submitted:
- Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257] (opens in a new tab)
- Family Information (IMM 5707 (opens in a new tab) or IMM 5645 (opens in a new tab) )
- Document Checklist [IMM 5484] (opens in a new tab)
- Document Checklist – Applicants in Canada [IMM 5721] (opens in a new tab) , if applicable
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409] ( PDF , 0.78 MB) , if applicable
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab) , if applicable
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual [IMM 5475] ( PDF , 1.52 M B ) , if applicable
Note: You may be required to complete additional supporting documents upon request of a visa officer.
Important information: It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on these forms. The information you provide on your application is subject to verification.
Important informationBe complete and accurate
Complete all sections. If a section does not apply to you, write “Not Applicable” or “NA”, except for your name (last name and given name[s]). Refer to questions 1 and 2 under “Personal Details” section for further instructions. The application must be signed and dated.
If your application is incomplete it may be rejected and this will delay the processing of your application.
If you need more space for any section, print out an additional page containing the appropriate section, complete it and submit it along with your application.
Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257)
Who must fill out this application form?
This form must be completed by each person applying for a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada.
NoteFill out the form
You must answer all the questions on this form unless instructed otherwise.
Download and fill out the form on a computer.
You also have the option to save your form and fill it out later.
Note: Filling out the form on a computer is easier and reduces mistakes that can slow down the application process.
Read and follow the questions below to help you fill out the form.
- Visitor visa: official document issued by a visa office that is placed in the passport which allows you to seek entry to Canada.
- Transit Visa: is required for persons travelling through Canada for less than 48 hours on their way to another country.
Note: To obtain a transit visa you must provide specific evidence of your travel itinerary from your transportation company or travel agent.
Personal Details
Question 1Full name
Type your family name (surname) exactly as shown on your passport or travel document (even if the name is misspelled). Do not use initials.
Note: If you do not have a family name on your passport or travel document, enter all your given names here and leave the given name field blank.
Type all of your given names (first, second, or more) exactly as shown on your passport or travel document (even if the name is misspelled). Do not use initials.
Note: If you do not have a given name on your passport or travel document, leave this field blank. Do not enter “*”, “Not applicable” or “NA”.
Question 2Nick names or Alias
Check the box to tell us if you have ever used any other name. This could include your birth name, maiden name, married name, nick name, etc.
If you checked “Yes”, type any other family name that you have ever used.
If you checked “Yes”, type any other given name (first, second, or more) that you have ever used.
Question 3
Choose your gender (F-Female, M-Male, U-Unknown or X-Another gender).
Note: If you choose a gender identifier that is different than what you currently have or have had on your Canadian temporary resident document (visa, electronic travel authorization, work permit, study permit or visitor record), you need to complete the Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) form and send it with your application. You also need to complete this form and send it with your application if you’ve never had a Canadian temporary resident document but you intend to apply for one and you identify with a gender that is different than what appears on your foreign travel document or passport. No supporting documents are required.
Question 4Enter your date of birth. If your entire date of birth is unknown, please use ‘*’ (star sign or asterisk) to fill in the spaces for the year, month or day, where applicable.
Question 5
Note, if your city, town, country or territory of birth is indicated in your passport or your travel document, please record it as it appears in the document.
Question 6
Choose your country or territory of citizenship. To be a citizen of a country or territory means that you were either born in that country or territory (in most cases) or have been granted citizenship by that country or territory. If you are a citizen of more than one country or territory, choose the country or territory that issued the passport you will be using for this trip.
Question 7
Choose the correct information:
- The name of the country or territory you live in, if you have been lawfully admitted to that country or territory.
- Your immigration status in that country or territory (choose one of the following):
- Citizen
- Permanent resident
- Visitor
- Worker
- Student
- Other
- Protected Person
- Refugee Claimant
Check the box to tell us if during the past five years, you have lived in any other country or territory other than your country of citizenship or your current country or territory of residence (indicated above) for more than six months?
If you checked “Yes”, choose the correct information:
- The name of the country or territory you lived in;
- Your immigration status for the time you were in that country or territory:
- Citizen
- Permanent resident
- Visitor
- Worker
- Student
- Other
- Protected Person
- Refugee Claimant
Check the box to tell us if you are applying from the country or territory you live in.
If you checked “No”, choose the correct information:
- The name of the country or territory where you are applying from;
- Your immigration status in that country or territory by choosing one of the following:
- Citizen
- Permanent resident
- Visitor
- Worker
- Student
- Other
- Protected Person
- Refugee Claimant
If you are not a citizen of the country or territory where you are applying, you must send proof of your legal status in the country or territory you live in when you submit your application.
-
Choose your current marital status from the list below:
Annulled Marriage This is a marriage that is legally declared invalid. An annulment can also be a declaration by the Catholic Church that the marital union did not have a binding force. Common - Law This means that you have lived continuously with your partner in a marital-type relationship for a minimum of one year. Divorced This means that you are officially separated and have legally ended your marriage. Married This means that you and your spouse have had a ceremony that legally binds you to each other. Your marriage must be legally recognized in the country where it was performed and in Canada. Separated This means that you are married, but are no longer living with your spouse. Single This means that you have never been married and are not in a common-law relationship. Widowed This means that your spouse has died and that you have not re-married or entered into a common-law relationship.
If you are in a common-law union, you must also fill out the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 863 KB) form and include it with your application. If you are married, you must send a photocopy of your marriage licence or certificate with your application.
Question 11
Check the box to tell us if you have ever been married or in a common-law relationship. If you checked “Yes”, enter the following information:
- All family names,
- All given names,
- Date of birth,
- Type of relationship:
- Common-law, or
- Married,
Languages
- Choose your native language (mother tongue).
- If your native language is not English or French, choose the language you would most likely use.
- Both
- English
- French
- Neither
- Choose English, French or both as your language of communication:
- English
- French
- Both
- Neither
- Check “Yes” or “No” to tell us if you have taken a test from a designated testing agency to test your abilities in English or French.
Passport
Question 1Type your valid passport or travel document number exactly as shown on the document. Make sure there is no space between each number or letter.
Question 2
From the list, select the name of the country or territory that issued your passport or travel document.
Question 3
Enter the date your passport or travel document was issued.
Question 4
Enter the date your passport or travel document will expire.
Question 5
For this trip – Check “Yes” or “No” to tell us if you are using a passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that shows your personal identification number.
Question 6
For this trip – Check “Yes” or “No” to tell us if you are using a National Israeli passport.
Note: There must be at least one blank page other than the last page available on each passport. If applying from outside Canada, refer to the responsible visa office for your region. If applying from inside Canada, a physical copy of your passport is not required at this time, and may be requested at a late date.
Venezuelan passport holders
If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed
If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:
- Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
- Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.
Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.
National Identity Document
Question 1Check “Yes” or “No” to tell us if you have a national identity document.
Question 2
Enter your national identity document number exactly as shown on the document.
Question 3
From the list, select the name of the country or territory that issued your national identity document.
Question 4
Enter the date your national identity document was issued.
Question 5
Enter the date your national identity document will expire.
US PR Card
Question 1Check “Yes” or “No” to tell us if you are a lawful Permanent Resident of the United States with a valid alien registration card (green card).
Enter your valid alien registration card (green card) document number exactly as shown on the document.
Enter when your alien registration card (green card) document will expire.
Contact Information
Question 1Type your current mailing address (where information should be mailed). Make sure you include the following information:
- Post Office Box (P.O. Box) number, if you have one. If you do not have a post office box number, you must type the street number,
- Apartment (Apt.) or Unit,
- Street number (No.). If you did not type in a P.O. Box number, you must type the street number,
- Street name. Do not abbreviate words (Street, Avenue, Boulevard, Drive, etc.) except for directions (NW, SE, W, etc.),
- City or Town,
- From the list, choose the country or territory of your current mailing address,
- Province or State,
- Postal code or zip code,
- District, if it applies to you.
All correspondence will go to this address unless you give us your e-mail address.
If you wish to have a representative who can conduct business on your behalf, you must give us their email and mailing addresses in this section and fill out the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form.
Question 2
Check the box to tell us if the address you live at is the same as your mailing address. If “No”, type the following information:
- Apartment (Apt.) or Unit, if it applies to you,
- Street Number (No.),
- Street Name. Do not abbreviate words (Street, Avenue, Boulevard, Drive etc.) except for directions (NW, SE, W, etc.),
- City or Town,
- Country or territory,
- Province or State,
- Postal Code or zip code,
- District, if it applies to you.
Check the correct box to tell us if the telephone number is from Canada, the United States (US) or Other (any other country).
Choose the type of telephone:
- Residence (home)
- Cellular (cell or mobile)
- Business (work)
Type your telephone number including the country code, area or regional codes, etc.
If you have an extension number, write it after your phone number under “Ext.”
Question 4
Check the correct box to tell us if your other telephone number is from Canada, the United States or Other (any other country).
Choose the type of telephone:
- Residence (home)
- Cellular (cell or mobile)
- Business (work)
Type your telephone number including the country code, area or regional codes, etc.
If you have an extension number, write it after your phone number under “Ext.”
Question 5
Check the correct box to tell us if the facsimile (fax) number is from Canada, the United States or Other (any other country).
If you have one, type your facsimile (fax) number, including country code, area or regional codes, etc.
Question 6
If you have one, type your e-mail address using a format similar to the following: name@provider.net
Note: Make sure you check your email regularly. Any emails sent to you by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will end in:
- “@cic.gc.ca”,
- “@canada.ca”, or
- “@international.gc.ca”.
Please add these to your “safe senders” list in your email program and check the junk mail folder in case important emails get filtered. If we find that your email address does not work or no longer exists, we will communicate with you by mail. By giving us your e-mail address, you are hereby authorizing us to send your correspondence, including file and personal information electronically to this address.
Details of Visit to Canada
- From the list, indicate the purpose of your visit to Canada:
- Business
- Tourism
- Short-term studies (course or program of six months or less)
- Returning student
- Returning worker
- Super visa — Parents and grandparents
- Other (medical visit, transit, etc.)
- Family Visit
- Visit
Note: If you selected “other” in question 1a), provide details in 1b)
Enter the dates (From – To) that you plan to stay in Canada.
Type the amount of funds (money) in Canadian dollars that you have available to you during your stay in Canada.
Type the following information about the person(s) or institution(s), including schools you intend to visit during your stay in Canada:
- Name (includes the name of a person or a name of an institution)
- Relationship you have with this person or institution (friend, family, co-worker, etc.)
- Their address in Canada (street number, street name, city or town and postal code).
Education
Check the box to tell us if you have any post-secondary education (including university, college or apprenticeship training).
Examples of post-secondary education:
Trade or Apprenticeship
Training completed in a specific trade, such as carpentry or auto mechanics.
Non-university certificate or diploma
Training in a profession that requires formal education but not at the university level (for example, dental technician or engineering technician).
Bachelor’s degree
Academic degree awarded by a college or university to those who finished an undergraduate curriculum; also called a baccalaureate. Examples include a Bachelor of Arts, Science or Education.
Master’s degree
Academic degree awarded by a graduate school of a college or university. You must have completed a Bachelor’s degree before a Master’s degree can be earned.
PhD
Highest university degree usually based on at least three years of graduate studies and a thesis. Normally, you must have finished a Master’s degree before a PhD can be earned.
If you checked “Yes”, give us full details of your highest level of post-secondary education:
- Enter the dates (year and month) you attended the institution
- Field(s) of study (mechanics, social sciences, medicine, etc. )
- School or Facility name
- City or Town
- Country or territory (choose from the list) and
- Province or State.
Employment (Work or job)
Enter the following information about your employment for the past 10 years. If you are retired, give information about the 10 years before your retirement.
Question 1
Current activity or job
Give details about your current activity or job:
- dates (year and month) you have been working at your current job,
- activity or job, or a brief description of your position. If you do not work, describe what you are currently doing (retired, not working, going to school, etc. ),
- name of the company, employer or facility where you work,
- City or Town,
- Country or territory,
- Province or State, if it applies to you.
Previous activity or job
Give details of your previous activity or job for the past 10 years. If you are retired, include the details about the 10 years before your retirement.
If you need more space, print out another page of the form, fill in this section and submit it with your application.
Background Information
All questions in this section must be answered or the application will be considered incomplete and will be returned.
Question 1Check the box to indicate if:
- you or any of your family members have ever had tuberculosis of the lungs or been in close contact with a person with tuberculosis within the past two years.
- you have any physical or mental disorder that would require social and/or health services other than medication during your stay in Canada.
- If you checked “Yes” to any of the above questions, provide details and the name of the family member, if applicable.
Note: Refer to the Family Members definition in this guide.
Question 2Check the box to indicate if you have ever:
- remained beyond the validity of your status, attended school without authorization or worked without authorization in Canada.
- been refused a visa or permit, denied entry or ordered to leave Canada or any other country or territory.
- Applied previously to enter or remain in Canada.
- If you checked “Yes” to one of the above questions, provide details.
Check the box to indicate if you have ever:
- committed,
- been arrested for, or
- been charged with or convicted of any criminal offence in any country or territory.
- Check the box to indicate if you have ever served in any military, militia, civil defence unit, served in a security organization or police force (including non-obligatory national service, reserve or voluntary units).
- If you answered “Yes” to question 4a), please provide your dates of service and the countries or territories where you served.
Check “Yes” or “No” to indicate if you have ever been a member or associated with any political party, or other group or organization which has engaged in or advocated violence as means to achieving a political or religious objective, or which has been associated with criminal activity at any time.
Check “Yes” or “No” to indicate if you have ever witnessed or participated in the ill treatment of prisoners or civilians, looting or desecration of religious buildings.
To complete your form:
- Once the application is completed, click on the “Validate” button located at the top or bottom of the form. This will generate a barcode page (page 5 of 5) – see image below. If this application form is completed on a computer and printed, you must place the barcode page on the top of your application (or if applying as a group, each individual application package).
Note: By signing, you certify that you fully understand the questions asked, and that the information you have provided is complete, accurate, and factual. If you do not sign and date the application form, it will be returned to you.
Family Information (IMM 5707 or IMM 5645)
Who needs to complete this form?
This form must be completed by each person, 18 years of age or older, applying for a Temporary Resident Visa, a study or work permit outside Canada.
Which form needs to be completed?
You must complete the Family Information form (IMM 5707 (opens in a new tab) or IMM 5645 (opens in a new tab) ) listed in the application package for your country.
Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)
Who may use this form?
Fill out this form only if you:
- are appointing a representative;
- need to update contact information for your previously appointed representative; or
- are cancelling a representative’s appointment.
If you have dependent children aged 18 years or older, they must fill out their own copy of this form if a representative is also conducting business on their behalf.
Who is a representative?
A representative is someone who:
- you have appointed by completing the IMM 5476 form;
- gives advice, consultation, or guidance to you at any stage of the application process; and
- has your consent to conduct business on your behalf with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
You are not obliged to hire a representative. We treat everyone equally, whether they use the service of a representative or not.
Notify IRCC about any changes
You must use this Web form to tell us if any information changes regarding the person you authorized to represent you on your application.
