Guide to IMM 5709: Document Checklist for Family

Family reunification is one of the pillars of Canada's immigration system. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who wants to sponsor a family member to come to Canada, the IMM 5709 document checklist is an essential part of your application package. This guide will explain the IMM 5709 form, walk you through each required document, and provide practical advice to help you submit a complete and successful family sponsorship application.

What Is the IMM 5709?

Quick tip: download the official IMM5709 first, then fill it while following this guide: Download IMM5709 form (official IRCC).

The IMM 5709 is the document checklist form for family class sponsorship applications submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Like the IMM 5708 for work permits, the IMM 5709 is not a form you fill out with personal details — it is a checklist that tells you exactly which documents you need to gather and submit with your family sponsorship application.

The checklist is designed to ensure that your application is complete when submitted, which is crucial because incomplete applications are returned without processing — costing you valuable time. You can download the current IMM 5709 from the IRCC family sponsorship guide page.

Who Can Sponsor Family Members?

Before we dive into the document checklist, let's clarify who is eligible to sponsor. You can sponsor a family member if you are:

• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• At least 18 years of age
• Living in Canada (or planning to return to Canada when the sponsored person arrives, if you are a Canadian citizen living abroad)
• Able to meet the financial requirements to support the person you are sponsoring
• Not currently bankrupt, in prison, subject to a removal order, or under a sponsorship ban

You can sponsor the following family members:

• Your spouse (legally married partner)
• Your common-law partner (someone you have lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months)
• Your conjugal partner (someone in a committed relationship with you for at least one year who cannot live with you due to immigration barriers)
• Your dependent children (under 22 years of age, unmarried, and not in a common-law relationship)
• Other eligible relatives in certain circumstances

Documents Required on the IMM 5709

The IMM 5709 checklist is divided into sections for the sponsor and the principal applicant (the person being sponsored). Here is a detailed breakdown of the documents you will typically need:

For the Sponsor (You)

1. Sponsorship Application (IMM 1344)

This is the main sponsorship form where you provide your personal information, confirm your eligibility, and agree to the sponsorship undertaking. The undertaking is a legally binding promise to provide financial support to the sponsored person for a specific period (typically 3 years for spouses and partners, up to 10 years for other relatives).

2. Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residence

Provide a copy of your Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian passport, PR card (front and back), or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document.

See also: How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence

See also: Replace Lost PR Card Guide

See also: Canadian Citizenship Application Guide

3. Proof of Income

For spouse and partner sponsorship, there is generally no minimum income requirement — but you must demonstrate that you can provide for the basic needs of the person you are sponsoring. You may need to provide Notice of Assessments from the CRA, T4 slips, employment letters, or bank statements.

For sponsoring other relatives (parents, grandparents), there is a specific Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement, and you must prove your income for the past three tax years. Check the IRCC family sponsorship eligibility page for current income requirements.

4. Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)

If you are sponsoring a common-law partner, you must complete and submit this form, which serves as a sworn declaration that you and your partner have been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.

5. Sponsor Questionnaire (IMM 5540)

This questionnaire asks detailed questions about your relationship with the person you are sponsoring, including how you met, your communication history, and any previous marriages or relationships.

For the Principal Applicant (The Person Being Sponsored)

6. Application for Permanent Residence (IMM 0008)

This is the generic application form for permanent residence. The sponsored person must complete this form with their personal information, education and employment history, and background information.

7. Schedule A — Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

This form asks the applicant about their personal history, including addresses for the past 10 years, education history, employment history, memberships in organizations, military service, and government positions held.

8. Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP)

If the sponsored person has dependent children who will be included in the application, this form must be completed for each dependent.

9. Valid Passport or Travel Document

A copy of the sponsored person's valid passport, including all pages with stamps, visas, or annotations.

10. Photographs

Recent passport-size photos for the principal applicant and each dependent, meeting IRCC's photo specifications.

11. Police Certificates

The sponsored person must provide police certificates from every country where they have lived for six months or more since the age of 18. Check the IRCC police certificates page for country-specific instructions.

12. Medical Examination Results

The sponsored person and all dependants must undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-designated panel physician. The results are usually submitted directly to IRCC by the physician.

13. Proof of Relationship

This is one of the most critical parts of the application. You must demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Evidence can include:

• Marriage certificate (for spouses)
• Photos of the couple together at different times and locations
• Communication records (chat logs, call records, email correspondence)
• Joint financial accounts, leases, or utility bills
• Travel records showing visits to each other
• Letters from friends and family attesting to the relationship
• Proof of shared responsibilities (children, property, etc.)

14. Birth Certificates

Birth certificates for the principal applicant and all dependants included in the application.

15. Marriage Certificate or Divorce/Death Certificates

If applicable, provide your marriage certificate and any divorce certificates or death certificates from previous marriages (for both the sponsor and the sponsored person).

Tips for a Successful Family Sponsorship Application

• Submit a complete application: IRCC will return incomplete applications without processing. Use the IMM 5709 checklist to verify every document is included before you submit.
• Provide strong relationship evidence: For spousal and partner sponsorships, the genuineness of your relationship is the most scrutinized aspect. Provide abundant, diverse evidence spanning the entire duration of your relationship.
• Get certified translations: Any document not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation from a qualified translator.
• Pay the correct fees: As of 2025, the sponsorship fee is $75, the principal applicant processing fee is $490, and the right of permanent residence fee is $515. Check the IRCC fee page for current amounts.
• Apply online when possible: Online applications are processed faster and allow you to track your application status in real time.
• Start early: Some documents (like police certificates and medical examinations) can take weeks or months to obtain. Start gathering them well in advance of your planned submission date.
• Keep copies of everything: Make copies of all documents you submit. If applying online, save digital copies of all uploaded files.

Processing Times

Processing times for family sponsorship applications vary depending on the type of relationship and the sponsored person's country of residence. As a general guideline, spousal sponsorship applications (inland or outland) typically take 12-18 months, though times can be longer during peak periods. You can check current processing times on the IRCC processing times page.

See also: How to Get Your SIN Number in Canada

Key Resources

• Guide 5289 — Sponsor Your Spouse, Partner, or Child
• Family Sponsorship Eligibility — IRCC
• Apply for Family Sponsorship — IRCC
• Check Processing Times — IRCC

Final Thoughts

Sponsoring a family member to Canada is one of the most meaningful things you can do as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The IMM 5709 document checklist ensures that you submit a complete and thorough application, minimizing the risk of delays or refusals. While the process can feel overwhelming, taking it one document at a time and following the checklist carefully will set you on the right path to reuniting with your loved ones in Canada.

Download This Form

Before you submit anything, download the latest official file here: Download IMM5709 form (official IRCC). Always use the latest version.

Related internal guides

• IMM 5257 guide
• IMM 1294 guide
• IMM 1295 guide
• IMM 5409 guide
• IMM 5532 guide

Official external resources

• Download IMM5709 form (official IRCC)
• IRCC forms and guides library
• IRCC document checklists
• CRA forms and publications
• IRCC processing times

Related Resources

WelcomeAide Tools

• WelcomeAide Blog — browse all newcomer guides and updates
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• Newcomer Checklist — track your immigration and settlement steps
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Related Guides

• OINP Human Capital Priorities Stream: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
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Official Government Sources

• IRCC — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Immigrate to Canada — Official Programs
• IRCC Processing Times
• IRCC Visas and Entry Requirements
• Canada.ca Immigration and Citizenship Services
• Canadian Citizenship Resources