Guide 5291 - Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations

I can’t apply online and require accommodations

If you, your sponsor (if being sponsored by a family member) or representative cannot apply online and require accommodations, including for a disability, you may ask for an alternative format. After we review your request, we’ll send you the application package in one of these formats:

• paper
• braille
• large print

To request another format:

1. Open a new email
2. In the subject line of your email, include:
   • the format you need (paper, braille, or large print), and
   • the application package you want
3. In the body of your email, include
   • your full name (principal applicant) as shown on your passport
   • the full name of your sponsor, if you’re being sponsored by a family member
   • a statement explaining that you’re asking for an alternate format
   • if you want the application in English or French
   • how we should send it to you (by email or regular mail)
     • Include your email address if you want us to send it electronically so you can print it yourself. This option will save you the time it would take to mail it to you.
     • Include your mailing address if you want it mailed to you.
4. Send your email to: IRCC.PRPortalALTRequest-DemandeALTPortailRP.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

We will only reply to requests for alternative formats. We won't reply to any other emails.

After we get your request, we’ll reply with instructions and tell you where to send your application.

To submit your application

• fill out and sign any paper forms
• return the application by mail or courier to the mailing address provided in our instructions

For more information about applying with an alternate format, call 1-888-242-2100 (from inside Canada only).

Overview

Application package

This application package has:

• an instruction guide, and
• the forms you need to fill out.

The instruction guide:

• has information you must know before you submit your application, and
• explains how to fill out the forms and gather your supporting documents.

Read the instruction guide completely and then fill out each of the applicable forms.

For an application to be considered complete, the principal applicant must fill out the forms listed below and must submit them all together in the Permanent Residence Online Application Portal for the principal applicant and each of their dependants. Incomplete applications will be returned.

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

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Symbols used in this guide

This guide uses these symbols to draw your attention to important information:

Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)

Who must fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by:

• you, the principal applicant

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Completing the form

You’ll fill out and submit the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) online. You don’t need to print and sign by hand. Please follow the instructions below to ensure the form is properly completed.

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

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

Read and follow the steps below to help you fill out the form.

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Application Details

Language preference

From the list, select your preferred language for:

1. correspondence (any letters or emails we send you)
2. interview: if your native language is not in this list, select “Other”
3. interpreter requested: you must select “Yes” if you do not select English or French for the interview

Where do you plan to live in Canada?

If you plan to live in Quebec, you don't have to fill out extra forms. If you qualify for this program, we will send your application to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration du Québec (MIFI) for you, and they will issue you the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).

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Personal Details

Family name

Family name is also known as last name or surname.

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Given name

Given names are also known as first name and middle name. Do not use initials.

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Physical characteristics - sex

If you choose “X” for gender, you need to complete the Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier [IRM 0002] (PDF, 1.34 MB) form and send it with your application if

• your foreign travel document or passport does not have the “X” gender identifier (or an equivalent non-binary option)
• you have or have had a Canadian temporary resident document with a different gender identifier, including a
  • visa
  • electronic travel authorization
  • work permit or
  • study permit

You don’t need any supporting documents.

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Physical characteristics - Eye colour

If you are a parent of a child to be adopted in Canada whose details you don’t know yet, select “Other”.

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Birth information - Date of birth

If you don’t know your complete date of birth, write 1901/01/01 in the fields fill in the spaces for the unknown year, month or day. Include a letter of explanation saying why you used this date.

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Birth information - Place of birth

As shown in your passport or your travel document.

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Citizenship(s)

If you aren’t a citizen of any country, choose “Stateless”.

If you are a citizen of more than one country, choose your other country of citizenship in the second field.

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Current country of residence

You must be in this country legally.

For refugee claimants in Canada only: select “Canada” whether you have been lawfully admitted or not.

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If you’ve lost your status

• for “Status,” choose “Other”
• in the details field, enter “Out of status, requires restoration”
• leave the “From” and “To” fields blank

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Previous countries of residence

This means you lived in the country for 6 months total, not just in a row.

If you chose “Other” as a status, try to provide as much detail and an explanation as to why you are out of status.

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Marital and relationship status

You’re single if you’ve never been married and are not in a common-law relationship.

You’re married if 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.

You’re common-law if you’ve lived continuously with your partner in a marital-type relationship for 1 year or more.

You’re divorced if you are officially separated and have legally ended your marriage.

You’re legally separated if you’re still legally married but no longer living with your spouse.

You’re widowed if your spouse has died and you have not re-married or entered into a common-law relationship.

An annulled marriage has been legally declared as not valid. An annulment can also be a declaration by the Catholic Church that the marriage was not binding.

• Family name is also known as last name or surname.
• Given names are also known as first name and middle name. Do not use initials.
• If you’re in a common-law relationship, enter the date (year, month and day) you began living together.
• If you’re legally separated or divorced, enter the date you were no longer living together.

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Contact Information

Current mailing address

• Post office box (P.O. box) number: If you don’t enter a post office box, you must enter your street number
• Street number (no.): The number on your house or apartment building. You must enter a street number if you didn’t enter a P.O. box

All correspondence will be mailed to this address unless you include your email address.

If you want a representative to do business with us on your behalf, you must provide their address in this section and on the Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 264 KB) form.

For more information, read the Use of a Representative guide.

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Email address

Use this format: name@provider.net

By entering your email address, you authorize IRCC to transmit your file and personal information to this specific email.

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Passport

Passport/travel document number (exactly as shown on your passport or travel document)

If you have more than one passport, choose the one you’ll use to travel to Canada.

Most people will need a passport to travel to Canada. If you’re approved to come here, you’ll need to get one.

A travel document is an identity document issued by a government or international organization (like the United Nations). It has a photo and personal information, and let the holder travel between countries. If you have a passport, you don’t need a travel document.

Issue/expiry dates

You can find this information on the page in your passport that shows your photo and date of birth (also called the biodata page)

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National Identity Document

A national identity document is an identity card with a photo which is issued by a government or official authority, and can be used as identification inside the country that issued it. It may also be known as "ID," "ID card," "identity card," "citizen card" or "passport card."

Document number

Enter your national identity document number exactly as shown on the identity document. Make sure there is no space between each number or letter.

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Education/Occupation Details

Highest level of education

1. None: No education.
2. Secondary or less: High school diploma obtained after elementary school and before college, university, or other formal training.
3. Trade/apprenticeship certificate/diploma: Diploma completed in a specific trade, such as carpentry or auto mechanics.
4. Non-university certificate/diploma: Training in a profession that requires formal education but not at the university level (e.g., dental technician or engineering technician).
5. Post-secondary – no degree: Post-secondary studies at a college or university but no degree earned.
6. Bachelor’s degree: Academic degree awarded by a college or university to those who have completed an undergraduate curriculum. Also called a baccalaureate. Examples include a Bachelor of Arts, Science or Education.
7. Post graduate – no degree: Post-graduate studies at a college or university but no degree earned (Master or PhD).
8. Master’s degree: Academic degree awarded by a graduate school of a college or university. You must have completed a Bachelor’s degree before you can earn a Master’s degree.
9. Doctorate – PhD: Highest university degree, usually based on at least 3 years of graduate studies and a thesis. Normally, you must have completed a Master’s degree before you can earn a PhD.

Current occupation

If you don’t work, enter “not employed”.

Intended occupation

If you aren’t planning to work in Canada (for example, if you’re retired), enter “None”.

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Language Details

Native language/mother tongue

This is the language that you learned at home during your childhood and that you still understand. If your native language is not in this list, choose “Other”.

Test from a designated testing agency to assess English or French

Approved testing agencies include:

• IELTS
• CELPIP
• TEF
• TCF

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Dependant’s Personal Details

Select the box to tell us if your dependant will accompany you to Canada.

If you answered “No,” explain why your dependant is non-accompanying.

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Dependant’s relationship to the principal applicant

Select your dependant’s relationship to you, the principal applicant:

• Adopted Child
• Adoptive parent
• Child
• Common-Law Partner
• Grandchild
• Parent
• Spouse
• Step-Child
• Step-Grandchild
• Other

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Dependant type

Type A

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

Type B (Important: This dependant type applies only if your child’s age was locked in before August 1, 2014)

The dependant 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 since before the age of 22.

Type C

The dependant 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 themselves because of a medical condition.

Not sure which type of dependant your child is? Check if your child qualifies as a dependant by answering a few questions.

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Family name

Family name is also known as last name or surname.

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Given name

Given names are also known as first name and middle name. Do not use initials.

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Physical characteristics - sex

If you choose “X” for gender, you need to complete the Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier [IRM 0002] (PDF, 1.34 MB) form and send it with your application if

• your foreign travel document or passport does not have the “X” gender identifier (or an equivalent non-binary option)
• you have or have had a Canadian temporary resident document with a different gender identifier, including a
  • visa
  • electronic travel authorization
  • work permit or
  • study permit

You don’t need any supporting documents.

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Physical characteristics - Eye colour

If you are a parent of a child to be adopted in Canada whose details you don’t know yet, select “Other”.

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Birth information - Date of birth

If you don’t know your complete date of birth, enter 1901/01/01 to fill in the spaces for the unknown year, month or day. Include a letter of explanation.

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Birth information - Place of birth

As shown in your passport or your travel document.

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Citizenship(s)

If you aren’t a citizen of any country, choose “Stateless”.

If you are a citizen of more than one country, choose your other country of citizenship in the second field.

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Current country of residence

You must be in this country legally.

For refugee claimants in Canada only: select “Canada” whether you have been lawfully admitted or not.

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If you’ve lost your status

• for “Status,” choose “Other”
• in the details field, enter “Out of status, requires restoration”
• leave the “From” and “To” fields blank

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Previous countries of residence

This means you lived in the country for 6 months total, not just in a row.

If you chose “Other” as a status, try to provide as much detail and an explanation as to why you are out of status.

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Marital and relationship status

You’re single if you’ve never been married and are not in a common-law relationship.

You’re married if 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.

You’re common-law if you’ve lived continuously with your partner in a marital-type relationship for 1 year or more.

You’re divorced if you are officially separated and have legally ended your marriage.

You’re legally separated if you’re married but no longer living with your spouse.

You’re widowed if your spouse has died and you have not re-married or entered into a common-law relationship.

An annulled marriage has been legally declared as not valid. An annulment can also be a declaration by the Catholic Church that the marriage was not binding.

• Family name is also known as last name or surname.
• Given names are also known as first name and middle name. Do not use initials.
• If you’re in a common-law relationship, enter the date (year, month and day) you began living together.
• If you’re legally separated or divorced, enter the date you were no longer living together.

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Passport

Passport/travel document number (exactly as shown on your passport or travel document)

If you have more than one passport, choose the one you’ll use to travel to Canada.

Most people will need a passport to travel to Canada. If you’re approved to come here, you’ll need to get one.

A travel document is an identity document issued by a government or international organization (like the United Nations). It has a photo and personal information, and let the holder travel between countries. If you have a passport, you don’t need a travel document.

Issue/expiry dates

You can find this information on the page in your passport that shows your photo and date of birth (also called the biodata page)

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National Identity Document

A national identity document is an identity card with a photo which is issued by a government or official authority, and can be used as identification inside the country that issued it. It may also be known as "ID," "ID card," "identity card," "citizen card" or "passport card."

Document number

Enter their national identity document number exactly as shown on the document. Make sure there is no space between each number or letter.

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Education/Occupation Details

Highest level of education

1. None: No education.
2. Secondary or less: High school diploma obtained after elementary school and before college, university, or other formal training.
3. Trade/apprenticeship certificate/diploma: Diploma completed in a specific trade, such as carpentry or auto mechanics.
4. Non-university certificate/diploma: Training in a profession that requires formal education but not at the university level (e.g., dental technician or engineering technician).
5. Post-secondary – no degree: Post-secondary studies at a college or university but no degree earned.
6. Bachelor’s degree: Academic degree awarded by a college or university to those who have completed an undergraduate curriculum. Also called a baccalaureate. Examples include a Bachelor of Arts, Science or Education.
7. Post graduate – no degree: Post-graduate studies at a college or university but no degree earned (Master or PhD).
8. Master’s degree: Academic degree awarded by a graduate school of a college or university. You must have completed a Bachelor’s degree before you can earn a Master’s degree.
9. Doctorate – PhD: Highest university degree, usually based on at least 3 years of graduate studies and a thesis. Normally, you must have completed a Master’s degree before you can earn a PhD.

Current occupation

If your dependant doesn’t work, enter “not employed.”

Intended occupation

If your dependant isn’t planning to work in Canada (e.g., if they are younger than working age), enter “None”.

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Language Details

Native language/mother tongue

This is the language that they learned at home during their childhood and they still understand. If their native language does not appear in this list, select “Other”.

Test from a designated testing agency to assess English or French

Approved testing agencies include:

• IELTS
• CELPIP
• TEF
• TCF

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Consent and Declaration of Applicant

1. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the online application to view the declaration.
2. Read all of the statements in all sections carefully and:
   1. check the “Yes” or “No” buttons to show if you agree that the information in this application about your intended occupation, education and work experience may be shared with prospective employers to help them hire workers;
   2. type your name in the blue field.

By typing your name, you’re signing the application electronically. By doing so, you certify that you fully understand the questions asked, and the information you provided is complete, truthful, and correct. You can’t submit your application online unless you sign it.

Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

For refugee claimants in Canada: Only family members included in your application for refugee protection who are with you in Canada must be included using this form.

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Personal details

Family and given names

Family name is also known as last name or surname.

Given names are also known as first name and middle name. Do not use initials.

Enter your names exactly as they appear on your passport, travel document or identity document.

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Questionnaire

If you answered “Yes” to one or more of these questions, you must enter an explanation in the details field.

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Education

If you didn’t earn a diploma, leave the “Type of certificate or diploma issued” field blank.

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Personal history

If you don’t account for all time periods, it may delay the processing of your application.

Personal history - Activity

Examples of activity types

• employment (please specify)
• unemployed
• educational activity

Personal history - Status in country or territory

Examples of status

• work visa
• citizen
• study visa
• visitor visa

Exception: If you have not worked in the past 10 years (for example, you’re retired), you must provide details of your personal history since the age of 18. The resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) that you provide with your application will help verify the information in this question.

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Membership and association with organizations

Examples of organizations

• political organizations
• social organizations
• youth or student organizations
• trade unions
• professional associations

Don’t use abbreviations.

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Government positions

Examples of government positions

• civil servant
• judge
• police officer
• employee in a security organization

Don’t use abbreviations.

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Military and paramilitary service

If you don’t account for all time periods, it may delay the processing of your application.

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Addresses

Write out addresses in full without using any abbreviations. Use the apartment or unit number, if this applies.

Example: 999 Family Street, Unit #3, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K3J 9T5

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Authority to disclose personal information

Declaration of applicant

Read all of the statements in all sections carefully and type your full name into the blue field (this is your digital signature).

By signing, you certify that you fully understand the questions asked, and that the information you provided is complete, truthful, and correct.

Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

Section A

Write the personal details for:

• Yourself:
  • If when selecting your marital status, you indicate that you are married, select the option that corresponds to your situation:
    • Check “Yes”, if you were physically present at the marriage ceremony
    • Check “No”, if you were not physically present at the marriage ceremony
• Your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner (if this applies)
  • If you are married, select the option that corresponds to your situation:
    • Check “Yes”, if your spouse was physically present at the marriage ceremony;
    • Check “No”, if your spouse was not physically present at the marriage ceremony.
• Your parent 1 (mother or father), and
• Your parent 2 (mother or father).

Section B

Include:

• 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 don’t apply to you, enter “Not Applicable”.

Section C

Write personal details about your:

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

Read all of the statements in all sections carefully.

By clicking the “Complete and return to application” button, you certify that

• you fully understand the questions asked and
• the information you provided is complete, truthful, and correct

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.

For more information, see: Use of a Representative.

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.

How to pay the fees for your application

To pay your fees for your application you’ll need:

• a valid email address;
• a credit card, Debit MasterCard^® or Visa^® Debit card.

Follow these instructions to pay your fees online.

 Do not exit without printing or saving the receipt! The receipt is your proof of payment!

• At the end, click on the “Save” button to save a PDF copy of the IRCC official receipt.
• Upload a copy of this receipt to your online application when asked.

Notes to the applicant

Take this information with you to the photographer

• Photos may be in colour or in black and white.
• Photos must be original and not altered in any way or taken from an existing photo.
• Photos must reflect your current appearance (taken within the past six (6) months).

Applying online

• You need one (1) photo.
• Follow the instructions in the online application to scan and upload both sides of your photo to your application.

Notes to the photographer

The photo must be:

• taken by a commercial photographer;
• 50 mm x 70 mm (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face measures between 31 mm and 36 mm (1 1/4 inches and 1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head);
• clear, sharp and in focus;
• taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling);
• taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections;
• taken straight on, with face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera (i.e. the photos must show the full front view of the person’s head and shoulders, showing the full face centered in the middle of the photo);
• taken in front of a plain white background with a clear difference between the person’s face and the background. Photos must reflect and represent natural skin tones and not be altered.

The back of the photo must include:

• the name and date of birth of the person in the photo
• the name and complete address of the photography studio
• the date the photo was taken;

The photographer may use a stamp or handwrite this information. Stick-on labels are not accepted.