APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA – CHECKLIST
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Complete and place this checklist on top of your application.

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For information, forms and instructions, please consult the website of one of our visa offices:
Buffalo, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle or Washington, DC.

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Failure to submit all required documentation may result in the refusal of your application or processing delays.
Unless otherwise indicated, submit only photocopies of the documents requested. The doc uments you provide with your application will not be returned.
Documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. Provide both a photocopy of the original document and the translation in English or French.
False statements or submission of fraudulent documents will result in refusal and may lead to legal action against you. We do not offer pre-assessment or counselling services. Submit your completed application with all your supporting documents and the appropriate fees and an Immigration Officer will assess it.

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You must submit the following:
Each applicant, including accompanying children, must complete, date and sign their own:
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Application for a temporary Resident Visa made Outside of Canada (IMM 5257) Answer every question. If not applicable, write N/A.

Please note: Only the application form above will be accepted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. If the application form is submitted without the barcode page (page 5 of 5), the processing times will be considerably longer. Outdated application forms will be returned unprocessed.
The principal applicant, his or her spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, and all dependent children aged 18 years or older listed in the application for temporary residence must complete their own copy of
Schedule 1 - Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada (IMM 5257 Schedule 1)

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Completed, dated and signed.
Answer every question. If not applicable, write N/A.

Each applicant (adult or minor travelling alone) must complete their own:
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Family Information (IMM 5645).

Two passport photographs for each applicant. Write the name and birth date of the individual on the back. Processing fee – ensure that you have paid the correct non-refundable fee.
Valid passport or travel document:
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The passport or travel document must be valid for at least 6 months from the date the application is submitted by each person requiring a visa. The validity of a visa cannot extend beyond the validity of the passport.

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Your US Non-Immigrant Visa, whether it is in your current passport or an expired passport, must be included.

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The original I-94 card issued by US authorities at the time of your entry into the US.

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Proof of sufficient funds to cover expenses for the duration of your visit.
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Copies of bank statements or bank book covering the past three months

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Any additional relevant documentation (pay slips, property ownership, proof of pension, investments, etc.)

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If you are not paying for your own trip, indicate how your trip will be funded. Submit supporting documentation, for example: parents’ bank statements; letter from employer covering costs; proof of employment and financial documents for host in Canada* (employment letter, pay slips,
T4/Notice of Assessment, bank statements), etc.

*Note: Some hosts/sponsors may prefer not to provide their personal information directly to the applicant for submission to the Visa Office. In this case, please enclose a note to this effect . Please be advised that this may lead to slower processing in some cases.
Explain the purpose of your trip - details of your itinerary in Canada, provisional travel arrangements
(airline or hotel booking), letter of invitation from the person or business you will visit, registration at a conference, letter from your employer (as applicable).
If applicable, please also submit:

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If you are planning to visit a friend or relative, please provide a letter of invitation. For more information about the content of the letter of invitation, please read details in English or French.
If a minor is travelling with only one parent, custody documents or a letter of authorization from the other non-accompanying parent is required. Minors (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with a person other than their parents or legal guardians should have a letter of authorization signed by both parents or legal guardians. This letter should also include the name of the adult who will be responsible for the children in Canada.
If a minor child intends to study in Canada for a period less than six months, he / she must also submit the letter of acceptance from the institution where he / she will study.
If you answer "Yes" to any one of questions 3 to 7 in the section "Background Information" i n the
Application for a temporary Resident Visa made Outside of Canada (IMM 5257) , you must complete, date and sign a Schedule 1 - Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of
Canada (IMM 5257 - Schedule 1).
If you would like Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to release information from your case file to someone other than yourself, you must authorize us by completing Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5745).
If someone is assisting you in completing your application or you would like someone to do business with our office on your behalf, completed Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476).
If you are in the United States with a diplomatic or official passport , please provide a note verbale from your office stating the purpose and duration of your travel to Canada.
If you are in the United States with B1/B2 status, please also submit proof of ties to your country of usual residence. This should include (but is not limited to)::
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Proof of intention to return to that country (e.g.: airline tickets, travel itineraries), 

Proof of employment: A letter from your employer granting leave of absence and including: your name, position and current salary. This letter must include your employer’s name, address, telephone and fax number. If you are travelling on business, the letter should also outline the purpose of your trip, and include the names and addresses of the companies you will visit. If you are self-employed, please provide evidence of your business (business registration, license and financial documents, tax declarations etc.).

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Proof of current studies - a current letter and transcript from the educational institution you are attending.

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If you are visiting a family member in the US, you should also provide proof of that family member's lawful status in the US.*

*Note: Some hosts/sponsors may prefer not to provide their personal information directly to the applicant for submission to the Visa Office. In this case, please enclose a note to this effect. Please be advised that this may lead to slower processing in some cases.
If you are in the United States with F-1 or M-1 status, please also submit
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your original SEVIS I-20 form endorsed within the past 12 months by your student advisor for re-entry to the US

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Proof of current studies - a current registration letter and transcript from the educational institution you are attending

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If you are now in the practical training phase, you should also submit
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your employment authorization document and

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Proof of employment, such as a letter from your employer or other proof of current employment. If you are in the United States with G-4 status, please also submit

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 A signed and dated letter from your employer or other proof of current employment
If you are in the United States with H-1 status, please also submit
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your original I-797 approval notice form.

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Proof of current employment, such as a letter from your employer

If you are in the United States with J-1 status, please also submit
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your original DS-2019.

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A signed and dated letter from your employer or other proof of current employment or,

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If you are a student, originals of your most recent transcript and proof of current enrolment

If you are in the United States with L-1 status, please also submit
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your I-797 approval notice form.

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Proof of current employment, such as a letter from your employer

If you are in the United States and the holder of a blue-covered refugee travel document, please also submit:
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A letter from your employer or other proof of current employment or,
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If you are a student, originals of your most recent transcript and proof of current enrolment

If you are in Canada with a study permit and are applying for a temporary resident visa to travel abroad, please submit:
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a photocopy of your current study permit,

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originals of your most recent transcripts

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Proof of current studies - a current letter and transcript from the educational institution you are attending. If you are in Canada with a work permit and are applying for a temporary resident visa to travel abroad, please submit:
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a photocopy of your current work permit,
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Proof of current employment: A letter from your employer or other proof of current employment. 