Application for permanent residence — Canadian Experience Class (IMM 5609)

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Before You Apply
• The application process
• Step 1. Gather Documents
• Step 2. Complete the Application
• Step 3. Pay the Fees
• Step 4. Mail the Application
• What Happens Next
• How to Contact CIC
• Appendix A – Photo Specifications

This is not a legal document. For legal information, refer to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations or the Citizenship Act and Regulations, as applicable.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

Overview

Application package

This application package consists of:

• an instruction guide and
• the required forms

The instruction guide is a tool that provides:

• the information you must know about this application before sending it to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and
• assistance with how to fill out the forms and the required supporting documents

Read the instruction guide thoroughly and then fill out each of the applicable form.

The forms are specifically designed with questions that will assist the processing of your application.

Symbols used in this guide

This guide uses the following symbols to indicate information of particular importance.

What you must do to have your application processed.

Important information that you need to be aware of in order to avoid delays or other problems.

Where to get more information.

Note:

Tips that will assist you with this application.

The application process

The instructions provided in this guide follow the basic steps you will need to know to complete your application.

1. Gather documents
2. Complete the application
3. Pay the fees
4. Mail the application

Before you apply

Permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Temporary Foreign Workers and Students who graduated with a Canadian educational credential, often have the qualities to make a successful transition from temporary to permanent resident status in Canada. They are familiar with Canadian society and can contribute to the Canadian economy.

If you are a Temporary Foreign Worker or a foreign graduate working in Canada, you may apply for permanent residence by using this application package. You should have knowledge of English or French and qualifying work experience.

Who may use this application

Applications for Permanent Residence under the Canadian Experience Class can be submitted by:

• Temporary foreign workers; or
• Foreign graduates with a Canadian educational credential.

In addition, applicants must have work experience in a managerial, professional, skilled trade or technical occupation.

Note: Foreign nationals such as refugee claimants in Canada and workers without status (undocumented) are not eligible to apply under this category.

Other classes

This application package is only for applicants in the Canadian Experience Class. If you think you may qualify to apply under a different class, consult the chart below.

• If you have been selected by the province of Quebec
  For more information. See: “Do you intend to reside in Quebec?” for more information
  • Guide for Quebec Skilled Workers
• If you have been nominated by a province under the Provincial Nominee Program
  • Guide for Provincial Nominees
• If you are interested in immigrating to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker
  • Guide for Federal Skilled Worker
• If you are interested in immigrating to Canada as an investor, entrepreneur or self-employed person
  • Guide for Business Class Applicants (Investors, Entrepreneurs, Self-Employed Classes)
• If a relative such as a parent, spouse or common-law partner would like to sponsor your application for permanent residence
  • Guide for Family Class Applicants (parents, grandparents, adopted persons or orphans)
  • Guide for Family Class Applicants (spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and dependant children)

Do you intend to reside in Quebec?

Temporary Foreign Workers and foreign graduates who want to stay in Quebec do not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, Quebec establishes its own immigration requirements and selects immigrants who will adapt well to living in Quebec. If you intend to come to Canada as a Quebec-selected skilled worker, you must first contact the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (MICC) at: www.micc.gouv.qc.ca/fr/index.asp (in French only)

You may also consult our website for more information at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/quebec/index.asp

Staying informed

Selection criteria, requirements and other information for applicants can sometimes change. Please note that:

• Applications will be processed according to the rules and regulations in effect at the time of the assessment. These may change at any time.
• Our website contains the latest news, selection criteria updates and applications links. Check periodically for updated information.

What are the requirements?

All applicants must have:

• temporary resident status during their qualifying period of work experience and any period of full-time study or training in Canada,
• work experience in occupations that meet the minimum requirements for workers with Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupation Classification (NOC),
• must have the qualifying work and study experience needed at the time the application is made,
• knowledge of English or French (speaking, reading, listening and writing),
• not engaged in work or attended school without authorization,
• not remained in Canada after the time authorized to do so has expired,
• not been found inadmissible to Canada on grounds such as health or security.

Applicants must also have:

Temporary Foreign Workers:

• 24 months of work Experience within the last 36 months.

Graduates:

• 12 months of qualifying work Experience within the last 24 months.
• graduated from a recognized post-secondary educational institution and obtained the necessary Canadian educational credential.

National Occupation Classification (NOC)

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) is the official governmental classification system of occupations in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills, aptitudes, and work settings for occupations in the Canadian labour market.

Note: For the purpose of Canadian Experience Class applications, the “Employment Requirements” listed in the description of each occupation are not applicable.

The NOC 2006 can be accessed online at:
www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC-CNP/app/index.aspx?lc=e

Determining your NOC category

Follow these steps to determine if your work experience is in an occupation that meets the minimum requirement to apply under the Canadian Experience Class:

1. Go to the NOC website at www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC-CNP/app/index.aspx?lc=
2. Click on “To Search the NOC…”
3. If you have work experience in occupations that meet the minimum requirements for workers with Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B (management, professionals and skilled and technical occupations) of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) you are eligible to apply under the Canadian Experience Class category. Work experience in several occupations may also be used.

Language knowledge requirement

Each applicant must demonstrate that they meet the minimum language requirements according to their occupational skill level by providing evidence of their abilities in English or French (speaking, reading, listening and writing).

All applications must be accompanied by the results of the principal applicant’s English or French language proficiency assessment in order to be considered for processing. 

Note. Language test results must not be older than two years at the time of application.

For the purpose of language proficiency, your test result will be matched to the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens 2006 (CLB/NCLC). CIC uses the CLB/NCLC to determine your language proficiency.

Descriptions corresponding to the CLB/NCLC 5 and 7 can be viewed on our website at:

• Language Benchmarks 7 at
  www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/bench-7.asp
  or
• Canadian Language Benchmark 5 at
  www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/bench-5.asp

Note: There is no Canadian Language Benchmark/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien test. The Canadian Language Benchmarks/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien are descriptions of language abilities. CIC officers use these descriptions to determine your language abilities based results of your English or French language proficiency test.

Proof of language proficiency

At time of the application, you must:

• submit language test results from a designated testing agency

For your application to be eligible for processing, you must include the results of one of the following language tests from a testing agency designated by CIC:

English

• IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General Training test only)

French

• TEF: Test d’évaluation de français

Important information. If you have some abilities in both English and French, decide which of the two you are more comfortable using; this will be considered your first official language and will be the one in which your abilities will be assessed against the minimum requirements.

Language proficiency test

Take a language proficiency test from a designated testing agency

You must prove the level of language proficiency you claim on your application.

To do this, you must take a language proficiency test from an agency designated by CIC before starting the immigration process and submitting your application to the visa office.

Your test results must not be more than two years old at the time that you submit your application.

1. Make arrangements to take a language proficiency test and pay the test costs. A list of designated testing agencies can be found at:
   www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/language-testing.asp
   Important information. Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is not a designated testing agency for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class.
2. Submit the assessment results with your application.
   Note. Do not request that your (IELTS-General Training or TEF) language test result be sent directly to the CIO. Submit your original language proficiency test results with your complete application.
3. Consult the "using your test results" section to determine how many points you will be awarded for your language proficiency.

Note: Test results from a designated testing agency will be used as conclusive evidence of your language proficiency.

If you wish to be awarded points for your proficiency in both official languages, include the results of your official English language proficiency test (IELTS — General Training) and your official French language proficiency test (TEF) with your application.

Using your test results

Once you have taken a language test from a designated testing agency, you can determine if you meet the language requirements for CEC.

• If you have qualifying Canadian work experience at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A of NOC, your test results must match the CLB/NCLC below (see chart):
  • 7 or higher for each of the language abilities, or
  • 6 for any one of the language abilities, 7 or higher for any other two of those abilities and 8 or higher for the remaining ability,
• If you have qualifying Canadian work experience at Skill Level B of NOC, your test results must match the CLB/NCLC below(see chart):
  • 5 or higher for each of those abilities, or
  • 4 for any one of those abilities, 5 or higher for any other two of those abilities and 6 or higher for the remaining ability.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The CEC requirements for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are:

Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)

The CEC requirements for the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) are:

Experience requirements

Experience: Work experience as a Temporary Foreign Worker

You must have obtained the equivalent of 24 months of full-time or full-time equivalent (one week is 37.5 hours of work) Canadian skilled work experience at NOC Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B. This work experience must have been acquired in Canada (within 36 months preceding the date the application is made*).

You do not have to be employed at the time of the application.

Note: Any periods of self-employment or unauthorized work cannot be included when calculating the period of work experience. You must have temporary resident status during the period of work experience.

Experience: Work experience as a Graduate

You must have obtained the equivalent of 12 months of full-time or full-time equivalent (37.5 hours a week) Canadian skilled work experience at NOC Skill Type 0, or Skill Levels A or B. This work experience must have been acquired in Canada (within the 24 months preceding the date the application is made*).

You do not have to be in employed at the time of the application.

Note: The experience must be acquired after you have completed the required study and obtained a Canadian credential (work performed under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program or co-op work terms do not count).

Experience: Education requirements for Graduates

You must have studied in a program of study or training with a full-time duration of at least 16 months (i.e. two academic years of at least 8 months excluding scheduled breaks, such as summer holidays, in the calculation). The definition of full-time studies is left to individual post-secondary institutions. Full-time studies could also include any period of training in the workplace that forms part of the course of study.

You must have completed this program by studying full-time in Canada for at least 16 months and obtained:

• A diploma, degree, trade or apprenticeship credential from a public, provincially recognized Canadian university, community college, CEGEP, or trade/technical school, or
• A diploma or trade or apprenticeship credential from a private Quebec post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, and receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants, subsidies or other assistance — at this time only private CEGEPs qualify, or
• A degree from a Canadian private provincially recognized post-secondary institution.

Note: You must have studied in a Canadian institution located in Canada. Distance learning, including online programs, does not qualify.

Exception

If the duration of your program of study in Canada is less than 16 months but one academic year (eight months of study or more), you are only eligible for CEC if your credential is for a graduate program (e.g. Masters) and you have also attained a previous qualifying post-secondary educational credential (length of study of 8 months or more) in Canada within the two years preceding the completion of your graduate program.

Note: You must have temporary resident status during the period of full-time study or training.

*The application is considered to have been made on the date a properly completed application package is received by the visa office.

Periods of study or training not included in calculating the education requirements:

• Full-time program of study or training in English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL), or any program of study where ESL/FSL made up more than half of the hours of instruction/training;
• Studies in Canada taken under an award from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA);
• Studies in Canada taken under an award from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) programs including:
  • Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program
  • Government of Canada Awards Program
  • Canada-China Scholars Exchange Program
  • Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program, Canada-Chile
  • Organization of American States Fellowship Program.
• Periods of study spent outside of Canada.

Family members

Family members include a spouse, a common-law partner, dependent children, and the dependent child of a dependent child:

The application process

CIC Assessment: If yes, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to you.

CIC Assessment: If no, your application will be returned to you. End of process.

CIC Assessment: If yes, a letter of approval describing next steps will be sent to you.

CIC Assessment: If no, a letter of explanation will be sent to you. End of process.

Legend

Step 1: Gather documents

What documents are required?

Use the « Document Checklist » IMM 5610 which you can find in this package to assist you gathering the necessary documentation.

Note. If any of the required documents are missing, or photocopies are not clear, your application will be returned to you.

Medical requirements

You and your family members, whether accompanying you or not, must undergo and pass a medical examination in order to come to Canada. To pass the medical examination you or your family members must not have a condition that:

• is a danger to public health or safety
• would cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada.

Examples of “excessive demand” include ongoing hospitalization or institutional care for a physical or mental illness.

Instructions
Information on medical instructions will be provided to you. When you receive your assessment notice you will also receive medical forms for yourself (and any accompanying dependants if applicable), instructions and how to access a list of doctors in your area who are authorized to conduct immigration medical examinations (see below). You are not required to have a medical examination before you submit your application forms.

Exam validity
The medical examination results are valid for 12 months from the date of the first medical examination. If you are not admitted as a permanent resident during this time, you must undergo another complete medical examination.

Authorized doctors
Your own doctor cannot do the medical examination. You must see a physicianon Canada’s list of Designated Medical Practitioners.
Note that the physician is only responsible for conducting a medical examination; he or she cannot give you any advice on the immigration process.

Police certificates

If you and your family members who are 18 years of age and older and are not permanent residents or Canadian citizens have to provide:

• a valid police certificate, or
• police clearance, or
• record of no information.

These documents are to be provided for each country other than Canada, in which you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18.

Note: If you or your family members were under 18 years of age (16 years of age in certain jurisdictions) for the entire time you lived in a particular country, you do not need to provide a police certificate for that country.

The certificate must have been issued no more than three months prior to submitting your application. If the original certificate is not in English or French, then you will need to submit both the certificate and the original copy of the translation prepared by an accredited translator.

It is your responsibility to contact the police or relevant authorities. When doing so, you may have to:

• pay a fee for the service, and
• provide information or documentation such as:
  • photographs,
  • fingerprints,
  • your addresses and periods of residence in the country or territory.

We will also do our own background checks to determine if there are grounds under which you and your dependants may be inadmissible to Canada.

Please consult our website for specific and up-to-date information on how to obtain police certificates from any country.

Translation of documents

Any document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by:

• the English or French translation; and
• an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
• a certified copy of the original document.

Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which 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 members in good standing of one of the provincial or territorial organizations of translators and interpreters of Canada do not need to supply an affidavit.

Important information. Translations by family members are not acceptable.

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 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,
• his or her name,
• his or her official position or title, and
• his or her signature.

Who can certify copies?

Persons authorized to certify copies include the following:

In Canada:

• a commissioner of oaths
• a notary public
• a justice of the peace

Outside Canada:

• a judge
• a magistrate
• a notary public
• an officer of a court of justice
• a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the person is living

Family members may not certify copies of your documents.

Step 2: Complete the application

Filling out the application

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete the application forms.

The following are the forms that must be filled out and submitted:

• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) (PDF, 536 KB)
• Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP) (PDF, 427 KB)
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) (PDF, 170 KB)
• Schedule 8: Economic Classes – Canadian Experience Class(IMM 0008 – Schedule 8) (PDF, 962 KB)
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) (PDF, 79 KB)
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)
• Separation Declaration for Minors Travelling to Canada (IMM 5604)
• Supplementary Information – Travel List (IMM 5562)
• Fee Payment Form – Application for Permanent Residence (IMM 5620)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) (PDF, 38 KB)

Important information. It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on these forms. The information you provide on your application may be subject to verification.

Important information

Be complete and accurate

Complete all sections. If a section does not apply to you, write “Not Applicable” or “NA”. If your application is incomplete it may be returned to you 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.

Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)

Who must fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by:

• You, the principal applicant.

Note

Completing the form

You must answer all questions on this application form unless indicated otherwise.

Download and fill out the application form on a computer.

You also have the option of saving your form and completing it later.

Note: Completing the form electronically is easier and reduces the risk of errors that can slow down the application process.

In order to help you fill out the application form, read and follow the steps below.

Application Details

Question 1

From the list, select the Program under which you are applying:

• Family
• Economic
• Refugee
• Other

Question 2

From the list, select the Category under which you are applying:

• If you chose “Family” in question 1, select one of the following:
  • Spouse
  • Common-law partner
  • Conjugal partner
  • Dependent child/adopted child
  • Child to be adopted in Canada
  • Parents/grandparents
  • Orphaned sibling/nephew/niece/grandchild
  • Other relative
• If you chose “Economic” in question 1, select one the following:
  • Skilled worker
  • Investor
  • Entrepreneur
  • Self-employed
  • Provincial nominee
  • Canadian experience class
  • Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)
  • Quebec selected skilled worker
  • Quebec selected entrepreneur
  • Quebec selected self employed
  • Quebec selected investor
• If you chose “Refugee” in question 1, select one of the following:
  • Outside Canada – Convention Refugee
  • Outside Canada – Country of Asylum
  • In Canada Claim – Refugee
  • In Canada – Protected Person
  • In Canada – Convention Refugee
• If you chose “Other” in question 1, select
  • In Canada – Humanitarian & Compassionate Considerations
  • Permit Holder Class

Question 3

Indicate the total number of family members included in your application. This includes yourself and any family members, regardless of whether they intend to accompany you to Canada or not.

Question 4

Immigration Office requested for the processing of your application

Indicate the name of the Immigration Office which serves:

• your country of nationality, or
• the country in which you are residing, provided that you have been lawfully admitted to that country for at least one year.

Note: Do not select the CIO as the immigration office requested to process your application. Although you may be required to submit your application to the CIO, you must indicate the name of an appropriate visa office using the criteria above.

Question 5

Language preference

From the list, select your preferred language for:

1. correspondence
2. interview and
   
   
   Note: If your native language does not appear in this list, select "other".

3. interpreter requested (if applicable)

Question 6

Where do you intend to live in Canada?

From the list select the:

1. Province/Territory
2. City/Town

Question 7

Have you received your Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ)?

1. Check the corresponding box
2. If you checked “Yes”, please indicate the CSQ number
3. If you checked “No”, indicate the date when you applied for your CSQ

Principal Applicant’s Personal Details

Question 1

The following questions must be answered by the Principal Applicant.

Indicate your full last name (surname/family name) as it appears on your passport, travel or identity document.

Indicate all of your given name(s) (first, second or more) as they appear on your passport, travel or identity document. Do not use initials.

Question 2

Nickname/Alias

Check the box to indicate if you have ever used any other name. This could be your birth name, maiden name, married name, nickname, etc. If “Yes”, provide your nickname/alias by indicating it in the family name and given name(s) fields.

Question 3

Indicate your Universal Client Identification number (UCI) or Client Identification number (Client ID), if known (8-digit number). Otherwise, leave it blank. If this is your first application with CIC you will not have a UCI or a Client ID.

Question 4

From the list, select your sex (male, female or unknown).

Question 5

Indicate your height in either centimetres or feet and inches.

Question 6

From the list, select your eye color.

Question 7

Indicate your complete date of birth.

Note: If your complete date of birth is unknown, please use "*" (star sign/asterisk) to fill in the spaces for the year, month or day, where applicable.

Question 8

Indicate your place of birth, including the city or town,

From the list, select your country of birth.

Question 9

Citizenship

1. From the list, select your country of citizenship.
2. If you are a citizen of more than one country, select your other country of citizenship.

Question 10

Current country of residence

From the list, select the appropriate information to indicate:

• The name of your current country of residence. Your country of residence is the country in which you are residing, provided that you have been lawfully admitted to that country.
• Your immigration status in that country (indicate one of the following):
  • Citizen
  • Permanent resident
  • Visitor
  • Worker
  • Student
  • Other
• Other: This section must be completed if you selected "Other" as a status.
• The dates (From – To) you have been living in your current country of residence.

Question 11

Enter the date of your last entry to Canada.

Indicate the place you last entered Canada (Example: Toronto Airport, Lacolle border crossing, seaport Yarmouth, etc.)

Question 12

Previous countries of residence

Check the box to indicate whether you have lived in any country other than your country of citizenship or your current country of residence for more than six (6) months in the past five (5) years.

If you checked "Yes", from the list select the appropriate information to indicate the following:

• The name of the country you lived in
• Your immigration status for the time you were in that country:
  • Citizen
  • Permanent resident
  • Visitor
  • Worker
  • Student
  • Other
• Other: This section must be completed if you selected “Other” as a status
• The dates (From – To) you were living in that country.

Question 13

1. From the list, choose your current marital status:

   Annulled Marriage

   This is a marriage that is legally declared as not valid. An annulment can also be a declaration by the Catholic Church that the marriage 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.

   Legally Separated

   This means that you are married, but no longer living with your spouse.

   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.

   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.

2. Enter the date (year, month and day) you were married or you entered into your current common-law relationship.

3. Indicate the family name(s) and given name(s) of your current spouse or common-law partner.

Question 14

Check the box to indicate whether you have previously been married or in a common-law relationship. If you checked "Yes", provide the following details for your previous spouse/common-law partner:

• Family name(s)
• Given name(s)
• Type of relationship:
  • Common-law or
  • Married
• Dates (From – To) for which you were in the relationship with your previous spouse/common-law partner.

Contact Information

Question 1

Indicate your current mailing address (where information should be mailed) by typing the following information:

• Post Office Box (P.O. Box) number, if applicable. If you do not indicate post office box, the Street number must be provided
• Apartment (Apt.) or Unit, if applicable
• Street number (No.), if applicable. This must be provided if you did not type in a P.O. Box
• Street name, if applicable
• City or Town
• From the list, select the Country of your current mailing address
• Province or State
• Postal code/zip code
• District, if applicable

Note: All correspondence will go to this address unless you indicate your e-mail address.

If you wish to have a representative who can conduct business on your behalf, you must provide their address in this section and on the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form.

For more information read the Use of a Representative section in this guide.

Question 2

Check the box to indicate whether your residential address (where you live) is the same as your mailing address. If "No", indicate the following information:

• Apartment (Apt.) or Unit, if applicable
• Street Number (No.)
• Street Name
• City or Town
• Country
• Province or State
• Postal Code/zipcode
• District, if applicable

Question 3

Check the appropriate box to indicate if the telephone number is from Canada/the United States (US) or Other (any other country).

From the list, select the type of telephone :

• Residence (home)
• Cellular (cell/mobile)
• Business (work)

Indicate your telephone number including the country code, area/regional codes, etc.

If you have an extension number, indicate it after your phone number under "Ext."

Question 4

Check the appropriate box to indicate if your alternate telephone number is from Canada/the United States or Other (any other country).

From the list, select the type of telephone :

• Residence (home)
• Cellular (cell/mobile)
• Business (work)

Indicate your telephone number including the country code, area/regional codes, etc.

If you have an extension number, indicate it after your phone number under "Ext."

Question 5

Check the appropriate box to indicate if the facsimile (fax) number is from Canada and United States or Other (any other country).

If applicable, indicate your facsimile (fax) number, including country code, area/regional codes, etc.

Question 6

If applicable, indicate your e-mail address using a format similar to the following: name@provider.net

Note: By indicating your e-mail address, you are hereby authorizing CIC to transmit your file and personal information to this specific e-mail.

Passport

Question 1

Check the appropriate box to indicate if you have a valid passport or travel document.

Question 2

If you checked "Yes", provide your passport or travel document number. Make sure there is no space between each number or letter.

Question 3

From the list, select the name of the country that issued your passport or travel document.

Question 4

Enter the issue date of your passport or travel document.

Question 5

Enter the expiry date of your passport or travel document.

National Identity Document

Question 1

Check the appropriate box to indicate if you have a valid identity document.

Question 2

If you checked "Yes", provide your identity document number. Make sure there is no space between each number or letter.

Question 3

From the list, select the name of the country that issued your identity document.

Question 4

Enter the issue date of your identity document.

Question 5

Enter the expiry date of your identity document.

Education/Occupation Detail

Question 1

From the list, select your highest level of education.

Type of education

Secondary education

High school diploma obtained after elementary school and before college, university, or other formal training.

Trade/ Apprenticeship

Diploma completed in a specific trade, such as carpentry or auto mechanics.

Non-university certificate/ diploma

Training in a profession that requires formal education but not at the university level (for example, dental technician or engineering technician).

Post-secondary - No Degree

Post-secondary studies at a college or university but no degree earned.

Bachelor’s degree

Academic degree awarded by a college or university to those who completed an undergraduate curriculum; also called a baccalaureate. Examples include a Bachelor of Arts, Science or Education.

Post Graduate – No Degree

Post Graduate studies at a graduate school of a college or university but no degree earned (Master or PhD).

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.

Doctorate - PhD

Highest university degree, usually based on at least three years of graduate studies and a thesis. Normally, you must have completed a Master’s degree before a PhD can be earned.

Question 2

Indicate the total number of years of formal education that you have completed.

Question 3

Indicate your current occupation.

Question 4

Indicate your intended occupation in Canada.

Language Detail

Question 1

1. From the list, select your first (native) language. This is the language that you learned at home during your childhood and which you still understand.

   Note: If your native language does not appear in this list, select "other".

2. If your native language is not English or French, select from the list which one you would most likely use:

   • English
   • French
   • Neither

One of Canada’s objectives with respect to immigration is to support and assist the development of minority language communities in Canada.

Note: This question is not used for selection purposes.

Question 2

From the list, select whether you are able to communicate in English and/or French:

• English
• French
• Both
• Neither

Dependant(s)

You, the principal applicant must answer each question on behalf of each of your dependant(s).

Note: Remember that all questions in this section are about your dependant.

You can add up to five (5) dependants in this form.

To add a new dependant to the application, click the “Add Dependant” button.

To remove a dependant from the application, click the “Remove Dependant” button.

If you have more than five (5) family members, you must complete the Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP) form for each additional family member in order to include everyone in your application.

Note

Important

You must list all family members in your application for permanent residence, whether they are accompanying you to Canada or not. You must also provide details on family members whose location is unknown (including those missing or presumed dead). If you don’t, you will not be able to sponsor family members at a later date if they are not listed on your application.

Dependant’s Personal Details

Question 1-9

Questions 1 to 9 are identical to the questions you answered for yourself. Refer to the previous instructions to help you answer the questions for your dependant(s).

Question 10

1. From the list, select your dependant’s relationship to you, the principal applicant:
   • Adopted Child
   • Child
   • Common-law partner
   • Grandchild
   • Other
   • Spouse
   • Step-Child
   • Step-Grandchild
2. Complete if you chose “Other”

Question 11

1. Check the box to indicate whether or not, your dependant will accompany you to Canada?
2. If you answered “No”, provide the reason why your dependant is non-accompanying.

Question 12

From the list, select the type of dependant child:

Type A

The child is under the age of 22 and is single (not married and not in a common-law relationship).

Type B

The child has been continuously enrolled in and in attendance as a full‑time student at a post-secondary institution accredited by the relevant government authority and has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent either:

• since before the age of 22, or
• since marrying or entering into a common-law relationship (if it happened before the age of 22).

Type C

The child is 22 years of age or older, has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 22, and is unable to provide for himself or herself because of a medical condition.

Question 13

Current country of residence

From the list, select the appropriate information to indicate:

• The name of your current country of residence. Your country of residence is the country in which you are residing, provided that you have been lawfully admitted to that country.
• Your immigration status in that country (indicate one of the following):
  • Citizen
  • Permanent resident
  • Visitor
  • Worker
  • Student
  • Other
• Other: This section must be completed if you selected "Other" as a status.
• The dates (From – To) you have been living in your current country of residence.

Question 14

Enter the date of your last entry to Canada.

Indicate the place you last entered Canada (Example: Toronto Airport, Lacolle border crossing, seaport Yarmouth, etc.)

Question 15

Previous countries of residence

Check the box to indicate whether you have lived in any country other than your country of citizenship or your current country of residence for more than six (6) months in the past five (5) years.

If you checked "Yes", from the list select the appropriate information to indicate the following:

• The name of the country you lived in
• Your immigration status for the time you were in that country:
  • Citizen
  • Permanent resident
  • Visitor
  • Worker
  • Student
  • Other
• Other: This section must be completed if you selected “Other” as a status
• The dates (From – To) you were living in that country.

Question 16

1. From the list, choose your current marital status:

   • Annulled Marriage
   • Common-Law
   • Divorced
   • Legally Separated
   • Married
   • Single
   • Widowed

2. Enter the date (year, month and day) you were married or you entered into your current common-law relationship.

3. Indicate the family name(s) and given name(s) of your current spouse or common-law partner.

Question 17

Check the box to indicate whether you have previously been married or in a common-law relationship. If you checked "Yes", provide the following details for your previous spouse/common-law partner:

• Family name(s)
• Given name(s)
• Type of relationship:
  • Common-law or
  • Married
• Dates (From – To) for which you were in the relationship with your previous spouse/common-law partner.

Passport

Question 1

Check the appropriate box to indicate if you have a valid passport or travel document.

Question 2

If you checked "Yes", provide your passport or travel document number. Make sure there is no space between each number or letter.

Question 3

From the list, select the name of the country that issued your passport or travel document.

Question 4

Enter the issue date of your passport or travel document.

Question 5

Enter the expiry date of your passport or travel document.

National Identity Document

Question 1

Check the appropriate box to indicate if you have a valid identity document.

Question 2

If you checked "Yes", provide your identity document number. Make sure there is no space between each number or letter.

Question 3

From the list, select the name of the country that issued your identity document.

Question 4

Enter the issue date of your identity document.

Question 5

Enter the expiry date of your identity document.

Education/Occupation Detail

Question 1

From the list, select your highest level of education.

For definitions, refer to the type of education table.

Question 2

Indicate the total number of years of formal education that you have completed.

Question 3

Indicate your current occupation.

Question 4

Indicate your intended occupation in Canada.

Language Detail

Question 1

1. From the list, select your first (native) language. This is the language that you learned at home during your childhood and which you still understand.

   Note: If your native language does not appear in this list, select "other".

2. If your native language is not English or French, select from the list which one you would most likely use:

   • English
   • French
   • Neither

One of Canada’s objectives with respect to immigration is to support and assist the development of minority language communities in Canada.

Note: This question is not used for selection purposes.

Question 2

From the list, select whether you are able to communicate in English and/or French:

• English
• French
• Both
• Neither

Consent and Declaration of Applicant

Refer to the following table in order to complete your form properly.

1. 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.

   *See image below:

   

   Note: This barcode page will not appear if you fill out your application by hand.

2. Print all pages of your application form.

3. Read all of the statements in all sections carefully and:

   
   Note
   1. Write your name in the space provided.
   2. Check the appropriate box to indicate if you agree that the information contained in this application related to your intended occupation, education and work experience may be shared with prospective employers in order to assist them in hiring workers.
   3. Sign and date in the spaces provided.

   By signing, you certify that you fully understand the questions asked, and that the information you have provided is complete, truthful, and correct. If you do not sign and date, the application will be returned to you.

4. Place the barcode pages on the top of your application (forms and supporting documents) when you will submit it.

Additional Dependants/Declaration Form (IMM 0008DEP)

Who must fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by:

• You, the principal applicant on behalf of each of your dependant.

Dependant(s)

You, the principal applicant must answer each question on behalf of each of your dependant(s). The questions are the same that you answered for yourself and other dependants on the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008).

Follow the previous instructions to help you answering the questions for your dependant.

Consent and Declaration of Applicant

Read all of the statements in all sections carefully and then:

1. Write your name in the space provided.
2. Check the appropriate box to indicate if you agree that the information contained in this application related to your intended occupation, education and work experience may be shared with prospective employers in order to assist them in hiring workers.
3. Sign and date in the spaces provided.

By signing, you certify that you fully understand the questions asked, and that the information you have provided is complete, truthful, and correct. If you do not sign and date, the application will be returned to you.

Note: If you are less than 18 years of age, your form must be signed by one of your parents or a legal guardian.

Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

Who must fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by:

• you, the principal applicant;
• your spouse or common-law partner (whether accompanying you to Canada or not), and
• your dependent children aged 18 or over (whether accompanying you to Canada or not).

Question 1

Indicate your full last name (surname/family name) as it appears on your passport, travel or identity document.

Indicate all of your given name(s) (first, second or more) as they appear on your passport, travel or identity document. Do not use initials.

Question 2

Indicate your name in your native language or script (if applicable).

For example: Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Japanese characters or Chinese commercial/telegraphic code.

Question 3

Indicate your date of birth.

Question 4

Provide your father’s personal details including his:

• last name (surname/family name),
• given name(s),
• date of Birth,
• town or city of birth,
• country of birth,
• date of death (if applicable).

Question 5

Provide your mother’s personal details including her:

• last name (surname/family name),
• given name(s),
• date of birth,
• town or city of birth,
• country of birth,
• date of death, if applicable.

Question 6

Answer each question of the section by checking the appropriate box.

If you answered “Yes” to one or more of these questions, you must write an explanation of what happen in the space provided. If you need more space, attach a separate sheet of paper.

Question 7

Education

Indicate the number of years of formal education you have which you have completed at each of the levels indicated.

Provide the details about each educational institution you attended, including the:

• period of time that you attended the institution,
• name of the institution,
• city and country, and
• type of certificate or diploma issued.

If no diploma was issued, write “N/A”. If you need more space, attach a separate sheet of paper.

Question 8

Provide the details of your personal history since the age of 18, or the past 10 years, whichever comes first.

Start with the most recent information. Under “Activity”, write your occupation or job title if you were working. If you were not working, provide information on what you were doing (for example: unemployed, studying, travelling, retired, in detention, etc.).

Note: Please ensure that you do not leave any gaps.

Important information. Failure to account for all time periods will result in a delay in the processing of your application.

Question 9

Indicate the names of all membership or association with organizations you are or were a member of, including:

• political organizations,
• social organizations,
• youth or student organizations,
• trade unions, and
• professional organizations.

If you were not a member of an association or organization, do not write “not applicable”. Rather, write: “I have never been a member of an organization or association”.

Note: Do not use abbreviations. Write the city and country where you were a member.

Question 10

Indicate any government positions you have held in the past such as:

• Civil servant;
• Judge;
• Police officer;
• Etc.

Include:

• the name of the country and the level of jurisdiction (examples: national, regional or municipal),
• the name of the department or the branch you worked for, and
• activities and/or positions that you held.

Note: Do not use abbreviations.

Question 11

Give details about your military service (if applicable). Provide the details of military service for each of the countries whose armed forces you served in. If you were not in any military service, write N/A.

Question 12

Indicate the residential addresses where you have lived since your 18^th birthday, complete with the postal code. Do not use P.O. box numbers.

Authority to disclose personal information
Declaration of applicant

Note

Read all of the statements in all sections carefully. Sign and date in the boxes provided. By signing, you certify that you fully understand the questions asked, and that the information you have provided is complete, truthful, and correct. If you do not sign and date, the application will be returned to you.

Note: The bottom section of Schedule A should not be completed at this time.

Schedule 8: Economic Classes – Canadian Experience Class (IMM 0008-Schedule 8)

Who needs to fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by:

• You, as the principal applicant.

Question 1

Write your full last name (surname/family name) as it appears on your passport or on the official documents that you will use to obtain your passport.

Write all of your given names (first, second or more) as they appear on your passport or official documents. Do not use initials.

Question 2

Write your date of birth.

Question 3

Check the box to indicate if you have previously completed a program of study that led you to obtain a Canadian credential that was granted by a Canadian post-secondary institution.

For more information. See: “Experience requirements”

Question 4

Check the box to indicate if you have previously worked full-time or full-time equivalent of in part-time work and if so, indicate the period of time.

Question 5

a) Check the box to indicate if you are recipient of a Government of Canada scholarship or award that requires you to return to your home country following the completion of your degree.

b) Check the box to indicate if you were a recipient of a Government of Canada scholarship or award that required you to return to your home country following the completion of your degree and you have satisfied the terms/conditions of that scholarship or award.

Question 6

Check the appropriate box to indicate what will be your first official language in Canada and check the corresponding box to indicate that you have taken an approved test to assess your proficiency in this language. Unless you have taken an approved test or tests to assess your proficiency in English or French, you should not submit an application.

For this reason, your answer to this question should be “yes”. If you answer “no”, and you do not submit the results of the assessment of your official language proficiency, your application will be returned to you as incomplete.

Question 7

Post-secondary education in Canada

Write the details about your post-secondary education in Canada;

• period of time you attended the institution,
• the name of the institution,
• the city and province/territory,
• the type of credential granted, and
• whether the studies were full-time or part-time as defined by the post-secondary institution

If no credential was issued, write “N/A”.

Write details of any period of study which included English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) component including the number of hours per week.

Write details of any period or study spent outside of Canada in the completion of a Canadian education credential.

Write details of any period or study when you were receiving a Government of Canada award under the following programs:

• All awards from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and
• The following awards from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT):
• Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program – Student Exchange Program (only)
• Government of Canada Awards Program – Student Exchange Program (only)
• Canada-China Scholars Exchange Program
• Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program, Canada-Chile
• Organization of American States Fellowships Program.

Question 8

Write details of your work experience in Canada.

List your occupations within the 3 years preceding the date your application is made starting with your current occupation.

Give details for each occupation of the appropriate National Occupational Classification code (NOC) including:

• the name of your employer(s)
• a description of your main duties, and
• the number of hours you worked per week

List only occupations that fall in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the NOC.

For more information. See: “Determining your NOC category”

Indicate whether or not you were self-employed during any of the above listed periods.

Note. Sign and date the form.

Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

Who needs to fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by:

• You, as the principal applicant,
• Your spouse or common-law partner (whether accompanying you to Canada or not), and
• Your dependent children aged 18 or over (whether accompanying you to Canada or not).

SECTION A

Write the personal details for:

• yourself,
• your spouse or common-law partner, (if applicable)
• your mother, and
• your father.

Note: If you do not have a spouse or a common-law partner, sign the declaration at the end of Section A.

SECTION B

Write the personal details for your children. It is very important that you list all of your children (even if they are already permanent residents or citizens of Canada). This includes:

• married children,
• adopted children,
• children of your spouse(step-children) or common-law partner,
• any of your children who have been adopted by others,
• any of your children who are in the custody of an ex-spouse, former common-law partner or other guardian.

You must answer all questions. If any sections do not apply to you, answer “N/A”.

Note: if you do not have any children, sign the declaration at the end of Section B

SECTION C

Important information. If you are filling out the Application for Permanent Residence from within Canada – Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class (IMM 5289), do not complete this section.

Write personal details about your:

• brother(s),
• sister(s),
• half-brother(s) and half-sister(s),
• step-brother(s) and step-sister(s).

SECTION D

After carefully reading the statements contained in this section, sign and date the declaration.

Statutory Declaration and Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)

Who must complete this form?

This form must be completed and signed by the sponsor and common-law partner, only if the latter is a co-signer on the application.

Question 1

Write the following information in the space provided:

• Country
• Province/state/territory
• name of the declarant
• name of the declarant’s partner
• name of city, town, village
• name of county (if applicable)
• name of province/state/territory
• name of the country
• number of continuous year(s) in a conjugal relationship
• date of the relationship (from-to)

Question 1A

Check the box to indicate if you have jointly signed a residential lease, mortgage or purchase agreement relating to a residence in which you both live.

Question 1B

Check the box to indicate if you jointly own property other than your residence.

Question 1C

Check the box to indicate if you have joint bank, trust credit union or charge card accounts.

Question 1D

Check the box to indicate if you have declared your common-law union under the Canadian Income Tax Act (T-1 “General individual income Tax Return”)

Question 2

Check the box to indicate if you have life insurance on yourself which names your common-law partner as beneficiary.

Question 3

Check the box to indicate if your common-law partner has life insurance on him/herself which names you as beneficiary.

Question 4

If you answered “NO” to questions 1 to 3, indicate other documentary evidence you have that would indicate your relationship as common-law partners

Question 5

SOLEMN DECLARATION
Write the following information in the space provided:

• name of declarant
• name of declarant partner
• name of the city, town, village
• name of the county
• name of the province/state/territory
• name of the country
• date (day, month, year)
• signature of the declarant
• signature of the declarant
• name of the Commissioner of Oaths
• signature of the Commissioner of Oaths

Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)

Who may use this form?

Complete this form only if you:

• used the services of a representative to help you prepare or submit your application; or
• are appointing a representative; or
• are cancelling a representative’s appointment.

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.

What is a representative?

A representative is someone who has provided advice, consultation, or guidance to you at any stage of the immigration application process, or in an immigration proceeding. If someone represented or advised you to help you submit your application, then that person is your representative. A representative is also someone who has your permission to conduct business on your behalf with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

When you appoint a representative:

• you also authorize CIC and CBSA to share information from your case file with this person;
• your application will not be given special attention nor can you expect faster processing or a more favourable outcome;
• the representative is authorized to represent you only on immigration matters related to the application you submit with this form;
• you can appoint only one representative for each application you submit;
• you are not obliged to hire a representative. We treat everyone equally, whether they use the service of a representative or not.

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

Types of representatives

Family, friends, and non-profit groups often help applicants who feel the need for support and advice on immigration matters. You can appoint a representative who does not charge fees or receive any other compensation for providing immigration advice or services to represent you before CIC or the CBSA.

There are two types of representatives.

Uncompensated representatives include:

• friends and family members who do not, and will not, charge a fee or receive any other consideration for their advice and services;
• organizations that do not, and will not, charge a fee or receive any other consideration for providing immigration advice or assistance (such as a non-governmental or religious organization);
• consultants, lawyers and Quebec notaries, and students-at-law under their supervision, who do not, and will not, charge a fee or receive any other consideration to represent you.

Compensated representatives:

Compensated representatives charge a fee or receive some other form of consideration in exchange for the advice and representation that they provide. If you want us to conduct business with a compensated representative then they must be authorized by CIC.

It is important to know that anyone who represents or advises you for payment — or offers to do so — in connection with immigration proceedings or applications is breaking the law unless they are an authorized representative or they have a specific agreement or arrangement with the Government of Canada that allows them to represent or advise you. This applies to advice or consultation which happens before or after an immigration application is made or a proceeding begins.

Authorized representatives are:

• immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC);
• lawyers and paralegals 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 compensated 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.

General Application Information

Check one box to indicate if you are appointing or cancelling the appointment of a representative.

Section A – Applicant Information

Question 1

Write your last name (surname or family name) and given name(s).

Question 2

Write your date of birth.

Question 3

If you have already submitted your application, write:

• the name of office where the application was submitted;
• location of office;
• type of application you are sending.

Question 4

Write your Citizenship and Immigration Canada Identification (ID) or Unique Client Identifier (UCI) number (if known).

Section B – Appointment of Representative

Question 5

Write your representative’s full name.

If your representative is a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), a law society or the Chambre des notaires du Québec, print his or her name as it appears on the organization’s membership list.

Question 6

Check one box to indicate if your representative is unpaid or paid.

If your representative is paid, write the membership ID number of:

• the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC); or
• a Canadian provincial or territorial law society; or
• the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

Question 7

Write your representative’s contact information.

Note: By indicating your representative’s e-mail address, you are hereby authorizing CIC to transmit your file and personal information to this specific e-mail address.

Question 8

Your representative must sign and date the declaration in order to accept responsibility for conducting business on your behalf.

Section C – Cancel the Appointment of a Representative

Question 9

Fill in this section if you wish to cancel the appointment of a representative. Write the representative’s full name.

Section D – Your Declaration

Question 10

By signing, you authorize CIC 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 the form Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) which is available:

• on our website; or
• 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, they will not be able to conduct business on your behalf with CIC.

Step 3: Pay the fees

Calculating your fees

Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid. There are two (2) types of fees:

1. The processing fee which must be included with your application and

2. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee, which will be requested by the processing office at a later stage if your application is approved.

Note: Dependent children are exempt from paying the right of Permanent Residence fee.

Incorrect fee payment

Important information. Incorrect fee payments may delay your application.

Payment issue: No fee included/or Insufficient fees

CIO will return your application.

Note: The review of your application will only start after you return your application with the correct fees.

Note

Payment method options

Complete the Fee Payment Form – Application for Permanent Residence (IMM 5620) and include it with your application to the CIO. On-line payments are not accepted by the CIO.

In Canadian funds only, you may pay:

• by certified cheque, bank draft or money order made payable to the “Receiver General for Canada.” or
• with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

Note: Certified cheques, bank drafts and money orders may have expiry dates. When you submit your application to the CIO, the expiry date must be at least five months into the future.

If there is no expiry date on your certified cheque, money order or bank draft and it is drawn on a foreign bank, it can only be cashed for 6 months from the date of issue. To ensure it can still be cashed when the fee payment is processed at the CIO, it must be issued no more than 30 days before you send your application to the CIO.

If you are paying by credit card, please ensure that your credit card will be valid for at least nine months from your submission date.

If we are unable to process your payment, your application will be returned to you.

Important information

Each application from a principal applicant must include a fee payment form. This form must include the fees for the principal applicant and any accompanying family members. 

The same fee payment form may not be used for more than one principal applicant.

Do not enclose cash.

If you are applying in one of the following visa offices and are unable to pay in Canadian funds, please visit the responsible Visa Office website for fee payment instructions and to obtain the fee payment form.

Additional fees

You must also pay for the following for yourself and your family members (if applicable):

• medical examinations
• police certificates
• language assessments

Note

Step 4: Mail the application

Mailing instruction

Follow the instructions below to determine where to submit your application.

• Put the completed forms, supporting documents required by the CIO and fee payment in a 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12") envelope.
• Send your completed application to one of the addresses shown below.

Regular mail:

Affix sufficient postage (top right of the envelope)

Sender (top left of the envelope)
(Your name)
(Your Address)
(Your Postal Code)

Recipient (centre of the envelope)
Citizenship & Immigration Canada
Canadian Experience Class
Centralized Intake Office
P.O. Box 4000
Sydney, NS
B1P 1J3
Canada

Or by courier:

Affix sufficient postage (top right of the envelope)

Sender (top left of the envelope)
(Your name)
(Your Address)
(Your Postal Code)

Recipient (centre of the envelope)
Citizenship & Immigration Canada
Canadian Experience Class
Centralized Intake Office
47-49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 5Z2
Canada

Send the document checklist

Make sure you use the document checklist and include it with your application.

Note

Sign the form

The application must be signed and dated before it is submitted.

If you are:

• 18 years of age or older, sign and date in the boxes provided,
• less than 18 years of age, your form must be signed by one of your parents or legal guardian.

Note: If your application is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you.

Submit the application form

When submitting your application, to ensure your encoded data is captured, you must include the last page which contains your unique barcodes. See the image below:

Note: This page is only available when you complete your application electronically (on a computer).

What happens next

The application process

Submission

Completion check: Once you have submitted your application, we will check to determine that all required application forms have been properly completed and submitted, the application processing fee has been paid, and that all requested supporting documentation has been provided.

If your application package does not meet these requirements, we will return it to you. No file will be created or record kept until a complete application has been submitted.

Acknowledgment of receipt: If your application is complete, we will begin to process it. You will be sent a letter that:

• notifies you of this fact and provides you with your file number
• sets out some basic instructions for contacting CIC
• gives you a brief outline of future processing steps

Processing

Review for decision: Your application will undergo a detailed review by an Officer. The Officer will consider all the information and documentation you have provided, and will assess it against current selection standards.

Factors that can facilitate processing

There are certain things you can do to help ensure that your application is processed as fast as possible:

• make sure that all the documentation and information requested are provided with your application
• advise the CIC office, of any change to your contact information. This includes:
  • mailing address
  • telephone number
  • facsimile number (fax)
  • e-mail address

Factors that may delay processing

The following factors may delay the processing of your application:

• unclear photocopies of documents
• documents not accompanied by a certified English or French translation
• verification of information and documents provided
• a medical condition that may require additional tests or consultations
• a criminal or security problem
• consultation is required with other offices in Canada and abroad

Permanent resident status

If your application is successful, you and your family members will receive status as permanent residents of Canada. Some conditions will apply:

• You will remain a permanent resident until you become a Canadian citizen, as long as you spend at least two years of each five year period in Canada.
• You may leave and re-enter Canada as often as you wish.

Rights

As permanent residents, you and your family members will have the right to:

• live, study and work in Canada for as long as you remain permanent residents
• access most social benefits accorded to Canadian citizens (see Limitations).
• apply for Canadian citizenship, and once granted, apply for a Canadian passport (once you have been a legal permanent resident for three of the four previous years)

Limitations

There are a few limitations on permanent residents:

• You cannot vote in certain elections.
• You may be ineligible for certain jobs requiring high-level security clearances.
• If you or any of your family members commit a serious crime, you or your family members risk being deported from Canada.

Obligations

As permanent residents, you will also have the same legal obligations as Canadians, such as paying taxes and respecting all federal, provincial, and municipal laws.

The Permanent Resident Card

All new permanent residents will be issued a card as part of the process. Cards will be mailed to your home address soon after you become a permanent resident. For more information on the Permanent Resident Card, visit our website.

For more information

Current processing times

Processing time can change. You can obtain current processing times on our website.

Checking application status on-line

You can check the status of your application on-line by doing the following:

1. Log on to our website.
2. Go to Check My Application Status in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of the page.
3. Then click on Client Application Status and follow the instructions provided.

Note: Your application status will only appear on-line once the initial review by CIC is completed.

To obtain details on how to remove your application status information from the Internet, visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section.

Protecting your information

Your personal information is:

• only available to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you, and
• not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act.

For more information. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) on our website.

Quality Assurance Program

Our quality assurance program randomly selects applications for a special review. If selected you will be asked to attend an interview with a Citizenship and Immigration official so that we can:

• verify the documentation you submitted is accurate,
• verify that your application has been completed properly.

Note: You will be notified in writing should your application be selected.

How to contact CIC

Within Canada

CIC Call Centre:

1-888-242-2100 (toll-free)

Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., your local time

If you are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, or you have a speech impediment and use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time by calling: 1-888-576-8502 (in Canada only).

Outside Canada

Contact a visa office at a Canadian:

• Embassy,
• High Commission or
• Consulate

Consult the local phone pages or the CIC website for addresses, phone numbers and website addresses.

Appendix A: Photo specifications

TAKE THIS SHEET WITH YOU TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER

• Immigration photos are not the same as passport photos.
• Make sure that you provide the correct number of photos specified in the Checklist.

Notes to the photographer

The photos must:

• show a full front view of the person’s head and shoulders showing full face centered in the middle of the photograph;
• have a plain white background;
• be identical (black and white or colour) produced from the same untouched negative, or exposed simultaneously by a split-image or multi-lens camera.

The photos must:

• measure between 25 mm and 30 mm (1″ and 1 1/5″) from chin to crown
• have a 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″) finished size
• bear the date the photo was taken (not the date the photo was printed) directly on the back (stick-on labels are not acceptable).