Visiting Canada — Applying for a temporary resident visa outside Canada (IMM 5256)

Completing the forms

The documentation you provide with your application will be used to establish that your authorization to enter Canada would not be contrary to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Failure to provide complete, truthful and accurate material will result in your application being assessed based on the documentation submitted, which may result in your application being refused.

As most of the form is self-explanatory, supplementary instructions have only been provided when necessary. Follow carefully the numbered instructions which correspond to the application form. Your application may be returned or refused if it is not properly completed, or if all of the necessary documents have not been submitted. Attach a separate sheet of paper if you need more space and indicate the letter and/or number of the question you are answering.

Application for a Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257)

1. You must indicate whether you are applying for a single entry, multiple entry, or transit visa.

2. Print your name under the applicant section and provide the information requested for each of your family members. Print all names as they appear on the passport or identity document. Do not use initials.You must provide details about each of your family members and indicate whether they will accompany you to Canada. If you have more than three family members, photocopy the first page of the application before you start completing it. Make enough copies to fill in details about all your family members.

3. Provide the reasons why you want to visit Canada. Provide as much information as possible on your planned visit.

4. Print the date you want to arrive in Canada. Indicate how long you plan to stay in Canada.

5. Provide details of finances available to you and your family members for support while in Canada. If a relative or host will provide support include their name and address on a separate sheet.

6. Provide your current mailing address, telephone number, and fax number (if applicable). All correspondence will be sent to this address.

Note: If you wish to authorize a Canadian representative to receive correspondence concerning your application, indicate their address in this box and on the form Use of a Representative (IMM 5476).

7. Provide your residential address if different from your mailing address.

8. a) Provide details of your immigration status in the country in which you are applying, such as temporary resident, student, permanent resident or citizen.

b) Print the expiry date of your temporary status in the country where you are making your application.

Note: If you are not a citizen of the country where you are making your application, you must provide proof of your temporary status.

9. Provide the name of your present job and give a brief description of your position.

10. Print the name and address of your present employer or school.

11. Provide names of persons, businesses, schools or institutions you plan to visit. Indicate your relationship to persons whom you plan to visit.

12. Each question in this section must be answered for each applicant. Place an “X” in the yes or no box. If you answer “yes” to any of the questions from 12 c) to g), give the name of the person with an explanation in the space marked “related information”.

13. Print an “X” in the box which applies to you or any accompanying family member. Provide the name of the countries and length of stay for each family member.

14. You must sign and date the application. Failure to do so will result in it being returned to you.

Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)

Complete this form if you are appointing a representative.

If you have dependent children aged 18 years or older, they are required to complete their own copy of this form if a representative is also conducting business on their behalf.

A representative is someone who has your permission to conduct business on your behalf with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. When you appoint a representative, you also authorize CIC to share information from your case file to this person.

You are not obliged to hire a representative. We treat everyone equally, whether they use the services of a representative or not. If you choose to hire a representative, your application will not be given special attention nor can you expect faster processing or a more favourable outcome.

The representative you appoint is authorized to represent you only on matters related to the application you submit with this form. You can appoint only one representative for each application you submit.

There are two types of representatives:

Unpaid representatives

• friends and family members who do not charge a fee for their advice and services
• organizations that do not charge a fee for providing immigration advice or assistance (such as a non-governmental or religious organization)
• consultants, lawyers and Québec notaries who do not, and will not, charge a fee to represent you

Paid representatives

If you want us to conduct business with a representative who is, or will be charging a fee to represent you, he or she must be authorized. Authorized representatives are:

• immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC)
• lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society and students-at-law under their supervision
• notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec and students-at-law under their supervision

If you appoint a paid representative who is not a member of one of these designated bodies, your application will be returned. For more information on using a representative, visit our website.

Section B.

5. Your representative’s full name

If your representative is a member of CSIC, a law society or the Chambre des notaires du Québec, print his or her name as it appears on the organization’s membership list.

8. Your representative’s declaration

Your representative must sign to accept responsibility for conducting business on your behalf.

Section D.

10. Your declaration

By signing, you authorize us to complete your request for yourself and your dependent children under 18 years of age. If your spouse or common-law partner is included in this request, he or she must sign in the box provided.

Release of information to other individuals

To authorize CIC to release information from your case file to someone other than a representative, you will need to complete form Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) which is available on our website and from Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad.

The person you designate will be able to obtain information on your case file, such as the status of your application. However, he or she will not be able to conduct business on your behalf with CIC.

You must notify us if your representative’s contact information changes or if you cancel the appointment of a representative.

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