VISA INFORMATION ABOUT

CANADA

Sponsor a Member of the Family Class

In June 2018, we changed our mailing address.

You now need to send your application to our office in Sydney. If you send your application to our office in Mississauga, it will be sent back to you. Find the mailing address in the instruction guide.

You need to give your biometrics

In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

Find out who needs to give biometrics and how the new application process works.

Biometrics and the application process

Image that represents the different stages of the application process and biometrics.

We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.

1. Apply for permanent residence

If you want to apply for permanent residence in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.

Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.

2. Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for every application for permanent residence you submit. Even if you gave your biometrics in the past and they’re still valid.

  • You must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays.
  • Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give biometrics.
  • You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.

Find out who needs to give, how to give, and where to give your biometrics.

3. We process your application

After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.

If we need more information from you, we’ll contact you.

4. We make a decision on your application

When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you’re approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.

If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.

5. You travel to Canada (if you’re approved)

Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes documents like your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), permanent resident visa (if you’re from a country that needs a visa), or eTA (electronically linked to your passport) if you’re from a visa-exempt country or your single entry journey document if you don’t have a travel document.

Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.

Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.

6. We check your identity when you arrive in Canada

When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.

If we can’t verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.

If the officer determines that you’re not admissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you’ll have to take a return flight to where you came from.

7. You’re allowed to enter Canada

If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.

Basic entry requirements

You must meet some basic requirements to enter Canada. You must:

  • have a valid travel document, like a passport
  • be in good health
  • have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
  • convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
  • convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
  • have enough money for your stay
    • The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.

Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:

  • criminal activity
  • human rights violations
  • organized crime

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.

Find out more about inadmissibility.

Biometrics fee

  • Individual applicant: CAD $85
  • Families applying at the same time: maximum total fee of CAD $170
  • Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of $CAD 255

 Get help to open an application form or to fill one out in the Help Centre.

You can now apply online

We’re testing a new online immigration application. You can use it to apply(opens in a new tab) 

Use this application if you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada and you want to sponsor close family members living abroad, including your:

  • child adopted outside Canada
  • child who will be adopted in Canada or
  • brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild who is
    • orphaned
    • under 18 years old and
    • not married or in a common-law relationship

or

  • someone related to you if you do not have any other relatives that
    • can be sponsored (such as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, uncle or aunt, niece or nephew)
      • are Canadian citizens
      • are permanents residents
      • are registered Indians

Note: If you are a Canadian citizen adopting a child from another country, you can apply for Canadian citizenship for your adopted child right away. You do not have to apply for permanent residence for your child first. If you are an adult who was adopted by a Canadian citizen, you may apply for citizenship for yourself.

This application package includes:

How to use this application package

Read the instruction guide to help you fill out your application.

  • Use the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344) form and the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008). You can fill them out and save them on a computer. You will need Adobe Reader 10 or higher. You must also turn on JavaScript.
  • Filling out the forms on a computer is easier than filling them out by hand. It reduces the risk of mistakes that can slow down your application.
  • Trouble downloading? Right-click the link and select “Save Target As….” You can also find out more about downloading files in the Help Centre.

Fill out, validate, print, sign and date your application forms.

To make sure you submit all the pages:

IMM 1344 and IMM 0008 forms

  1. Click the "Validate" button at the top or bottom of the form.

    Note: Validate the form before you print it. This will help make sure you have answered all the questions. It will help avoid delays in processing your application.

  2. A last page with barcodes and a signature line will automatically be created.
  3. Print, sign and date the form.
  4. For best results:
    • print on white, bond-quality, non-glossy paper
    • use a laser printer
  5. Place the barcode page on top of your package. If you have more than one package, place a separate barcode page on each one.

Other forms:

Use the Document Checklist to make sure that you include all the other forms and documents you need.

Pay the fees

You must include the fee with your application. Find out how to pay your fees.

Mail your completed application. The mailing instructions are in the application guide.

Find out more about the barcode form.

Features

How-to video

Save Time: Send a Complete Application

Find out if you are eligible

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Learn about what it's like to live in Canada and which resources are available to you to help you settle here
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Educli - Global Education Network

WELCOME