Guide 5991 – Permanent Residence Pathway for Colombian, Haitian and Venezuelan Nationals

Apply online using the Permanent Residence Portal

Use our online immigration application(opens in a new tab)  to apply for this pathway.

Table of contents

• Overview
• Who may use this application?
• Eligibility requirements
• Admissibility requirements
• Step 1. Gather your documents
• Step 2. Complete the application
• Step 3. Submit the application
• What happens next
• Need help?
• Appendix A – Photo specifications

Who may use this application?

You may apply through the Permanent Residence pathway for Colombian, Haitian and Venezuelan nationals if you meet the eligibility requirements and plan to settle permanently in Canada, outside the province of Quebec.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this program, you (the principal applicant) must meet the minimum requirements outlined below:

1. be a national of Colombia, Haiti, or Venezuela;
2. be in Central or South America, the Caribbean or Mexico;
3. be a
   1. spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who meets the requirements of an anchor, who was not granted permanent residence under this public policy; or
   2. child (regardless of age), grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who meets the requirements of an anchor, who was not granted permanent residence under this public policy;
4. provide a statutory declaration from your anchor (person referred to in 3 i or ii) that attests:
   1. that they have the intention to provide support to you and your accompanying family members for one year; and
   2. they have not accepted, and understand they are not to accept, any financial compensation from you or your family members.
5. submit an application for permanent residence online or through an acceptable alternate format;
6. intend to reside in a province or territory other than the province of Quebec.

Family members that can come with you to Canada

You can bring the following family members with you to Canada:

• your spouse or common-law partner
• your dependent children (who are under the age of 22 and do not have a spouse or partner)

  Note: Children 22 years old or older qualify as dependents if they meet both of these requirements:

  • They have depended substantially on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22, and
  • They are unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition
• your grandchild (dependent child of your dependent child)

You must include these family members at the time you submit your application, including any non-accompanying dependents. If you don’t, they may not be able to come with you to Canada now or later.

Admissibility Requirements

Medical requirements

You do not need to complete a medical exam before you apply. We will contact you with instructions about completing medical exams for you and your family after you submit your application. Your family members must complete medical exams, even if they are not coming with you to Canada. Find out more about completing a medical exam.

Biometric (fingerprints and photo) requirements

You and your family members over the age of 14 may need to appear in person to have fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) taken at a biometric collection service point.

Find out if you need to give biometrics.

If you have to give biometrics, you can give them after you:

• get a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) which will direct you to a list of biometric collection service points you may choose from.

You must bring the BIL with you to the biometric collection service point to give your biometrics.

We encourage you to give your biometrics as soon as possible after getting the BIL. We will start processing your application only after we receive your biometrics.

Where to give your biometrics

You need to book an appointment to give your biometrics at one of these official biometric collection service points. Wait until you receive your BIL instruction letter before booking an appointment.

Using a representative

Note: If a paid representative is submitting your application online on your behalf, they must sign in to their Representative Portal account to do so. You, as the Primary Applicant, need to electronically sign your application and your representative must also provide their declaration before submitting the application.

If you (the principal applicant) do not already have a representative and want to authorize one to act on your behalf (paid or unpaid) you must:

• submit a Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab) form signed by you and the representative
• upload it with your application

If you (the principal applicant) want to allow us to release information from your application to someone other than yourself who will not act as your representative you must:

• submit an Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] (opens in a new tab) form signed by you and the designated individual
• upload it with your application

Step 1. Gather your documents

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 the dependants. Incomplete applications will be returned. The forms are designed with questions that will help with the processing of your application.

Important information: If you cannot provide one or more documents required on the document checklist, you must provide a written explanation for each missing document. If you do not, your application may returned to you as incomplete. You must also provide any other evidence or documents you have available to satisfy the requirement.

A complete application includes:

• all the information asked for on the online forms
• the forms completed by the principal applicant, and
• all supporting documents we ask for
  • Uploaded as the document type that we requested

What documents do I need?

Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)

To be completed online by the principal applicant.

Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

You will complete this form online for everyone in the following list:

• the principal applicant
• spouse or common-law partner (whether they are accompanying or not)
• each dependent child over the age of 18 years (whether they are accompanying or not)

Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

To be completed online. Provide your detailed personal history form the last 10 years or since the age of 18, if you are less than 28 years of age. Do not leave any sections blank, or gaps in time. You must write “n/a” in any sections that are not applicable to your situation.

Schedule 1: Declaration (IMM 5989)

To be completed, signed by the principal applicant and uploaded to the online application.

Statutory Declaration for the anchor (IMM 5990)

To be completed and signed by the eligible Canadian or Permanent Resident relative in Canada (anchor).

Once completed and signed, the principal applicant will need to upload the form to the online application.

Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) – if applicable

Complete, print, date, sign and upload this form in your application if you have a representative. The form must be signed by hand by the principal applicant and by the representative.

Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) – if applicable

Complete, print, date, sign and upload this form in your application.

Proof of Relationship

Document to show relationship between the principal applicant and their anchor. (e.g. birth certificates to demonstrate family link)

Proof of Status (anchor)

Document to show proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status from the anchor.

Identity Document (anchor)

Provincial government-issued ID from the anchor that shows full name and date of birth.

Police Certificate(s) for the principal applicant and family members

You must get a police certificate from each country or territory where the principal applicant and any dependents over 18 years old have lived for six or more months in a row since the age of 18.

Travel documents and passports

Passports, travel documents or other identification documents for the Principal Applicant and Dependents that shows their nationality.

One photo for the Principal Applicant and each family members (JPG or JPEG)

Photo must have been taken within twelve (12) months before the application submission. Include a photo for each member of your family, whether accompanying or not, and yourself. See Appendix A for photo specifications.

Declaration from non-accompanying parent/guardian for minors immigrating to Canada (IMM5604) (if applicable)

You must complete this form if a minor child will be immigrating to Canada without both parents or guardians.

Step 2. Complete the Application

Follow the instructions below to complete the application.

Sign in or create an account in our Permanent Residence Portal(opens in a new tab) 

Click on each applicable form’s name to access it, then follow the instructions to complete it. Some forms must be filled as a digital form, others are PDFs that you will have to upload. As the principal applicant, you will electronically sign for the entire application, including those of your family members.

You must fill out these digital forms online (you do not need to complete the PDF versions of these forms):

• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) — you must fill out this form for yourself, and on behalf of any family members who are 18 or older

  Get the instructions  (opens in a new tab)

• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) — you must fill out this form for yourself, and on behalf of any family members who are 18 or older

  Get the instructions  (opens in a new tab)

You must also fill out this PDF form:

• Schedule 1 (IMM 5989) (opens in a new tab)
  • upload this form to your online application

Your anchor in Canada must fill out and sign this PDF form:

• Statutory Declaration of the anchor (IMM 5990) (opens in a new tab)
  • upload this form to your online application

If you want to appoint someone to do business with us on your behalf, you must submit:

• Use of Representative (IMM 5476)(opens in a new tab) 

  • Note: Only a paid representative can submit an application on your behalf in the PR portal. If a paid representative is submitting your application online, they must sign in to their Representative Portal account to do so. You need to review and electronically sign the application declaration in the client portal. Details on this process may be found here. Unpaid representatives may act on your behalf after the application has been submitted. Only one authorized representative per application, whether paid or unpaid, is allowed.

If you want to allow us to release information from your application to anyone else (other than a representative), you must submit:

• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)(opens in a new tab) 

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.

Be complete and accurate

Complete all sections on the forms. If a section does not apply to you, write “Not Applicable” or “NA”.

If you need more space for any section, include an additional page containing the appropriate section, complete it and upload it with your application. For the document type, choose “other.”

Uploading additional documents to your online application:

To submit supporting documentation with your online application select “Other” from the drop-down menu (Document type) and upload your documents or other additional information which can be in any of the following formats: PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, DOC, and DOCX.

Signatures

If signatures are missing, we will return the application without processing it.

As the principal applicant, you will electronically sign for the entire application, including your family members by typing your full name exactly as it is shown on your passport.

Note:

• Remember to check for signature requirements and sign when needed, either by hand or electronically. If forms are not signed in the correct places, and by the correct people, we will return your application without processing it.

Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)

Who must fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by:

• you, the principal applicant
  • it is important to include all accompanying and non-accompanying family members in this form

Completing the form

You will fill out and submit the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) online. You do not 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.

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?

Provide Province/Territory and City/Town you intend to live in Canada

Personal Details

Family name

Family name is also known as last name or surname. As shown on your identity/travel document.

Given name

Given names are also known as first name and middle name. As shown on your identity/travel document, do not use initials.

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 do not need any supporting documents.

Physical characteristics - Eye colour

Indicate eye colour

Birth information - Date of birth

If you do not know your complete date of birth, write 1901/01/01 for the unknown year, month or day. Include a letter of explanation saying why you used this date.

Birth information - Place of birth

As shown in your passport or your travel document.

Citizenship(s)

If you are not 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.

Current country of residence

You must be in this country legally.

If you have lost your status

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

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.

Marital and relationship status

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

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

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

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

You are 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 are in a common-law relationship, enter the date (year, month and day) you began living together.
• If you are legally separated or divorced, enter the date you were no longer living together.

Contact Information

Current mailing address

• Post office box (P.O. box) number: If you do not 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 did not 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] (s'ouvre dans un nouvel onglet) form.

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

Email address

Use this format: name@provider.net

Please ensure the contact information provided here is current and correct as it will be the primary contact information used for all correspondence pertaining to file processing. By entering your email address, you authorize IRCC to send you correspondence including personal information to this specific email address.

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 will use to travel to Canada.

Most people will need a passport to travel to Canada. If you are approved to come here, you will need to get one. If you are unable to obtain one, provide a letter of explanation to explain why.

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 lets the holder travel between countries. If you already have a passport, you do not 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).

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.

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 do not work, enter “not employed”.

Intended occupation

If you are not planning to work in Canada (for example, if you are retired), enter “None”.

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 language testing organization to assess English or French

Approved language tests include:

• IELTS General
• CELPIP-G
• PTE Core
• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

Dependant’s Personal Details

It is important to list all family members in this section, whether they are accompanying and non-accompanying.

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.

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

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

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.

Family name

Family name is also known as last name or surname. As shown on the identity/travel document.

Given name

Given names are also known as first name and middle name. As shown on the identity/travel document, do not use initials.

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 do not need any supporting documents.

Physical characteristics - Eye colour

Indicate eye colour

Birth information - Date of birth

If you do not know the 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.

Birth information - Place of birth

As shown in the passport or your travel document.

Citizenship(s)

If you are not 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.

Current country of residence

You must be in this country legally.

If you have lost your status

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

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.

Marital and relationship status

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

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

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

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

You are 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 are in a common-law relationship, enter the date (year, month and day) you began living together.
• If you are legally separated or divorced, enter the date you were no longer living together.

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 will use to travel to Canada.

Most people will need a passport to travel to Canada. If you are approved to come here, you will 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 do not 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)

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.

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 does not work, enter “not employed.”

Intended occupation

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

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 language testing organization to assess English or French

Approved testing agencies include:

• IELTS General
• CELPIP-G
• PTE Core
• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

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 are 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 cannot submit your application online unless you sign it.

Release of information to other individuals (IMM 5475)

To authorize IRCC 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] (opens in a new tab).

The person you designate under that form (IMM 5475) 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 IRCC.

Step 3. Submit the Application

Now that you have prepared your application, you can submit it for processing. To help make sure the application can be processed as quickly as possible:

• answer all questions
• electronically sign your application (type your full name exactly as shown on your passport)
• upload all the supporting documents,
• you will receive an automatic email notification to confirm submission, which you should retain for your records.

What Happens Next

The application process

Submission

After you submit your application, we will review it to make sure it is complete. If your application is missing any of the requested documents, it will be returned to you. Failure to provide supporting documents in certain circumstances may result in the refusal of your application.

Acknowledgment of receipt

If your application is complete, it will be placed into processing. An email or letter will be sent to:

• notify you of this fact and provides you with your IRCC office file number
• set out some basic instructions for contact with the IRCC office processing your file
• give you a brief outline of future processing steps

What you can do to help processing

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

• submit all documents and information we have asked for with your application
• provide your biometrics as soon as possible (if required)
• tell us, using the Web form, if there are any changes, including:
  • new email, address, phone number, etc.
  • decision to withdraw your application
  • if the family composition increases (marriage, birth of a child, etc.)

Things that delay processing

The following may delay processing:

• unclear scans or photocopies of documents
• verification of your information and documents
• a medical condition that may need more tests or consultations
• a criminal or security problem
• your family situation is not clear (this could include a divorce, an adoption that is not complete or child custody issues that have not been resolved)
• consultation is needed with other offices in Canada and abroad

Appendix A - Photo Specifications