How to Complete IMM 5406 Additional Family Information

If you are applying for permanent residence in Canada through certain programs, you may be required to complete Form IMM 5406: Additional Family Information. This form collects more detailed information about your family members than what is captured on IMM 5645 (Family Information). Together, these two forms give IRCC a comprehensive picture of your family background.

This guide explains the purpose of IMM 5406, who needs to complete it, and how to fill out each section accurately.

What Is the Purpose of IMM 5406?

Quick tip: download the official IMM5406 first, then fill it while following this guide: Download IMM5406 form (official IRCC).

IRCC uses IMM 5406 to conduct thorough background and security checks on immigration applicants and their family members. The form collects information about your relatives' personal details, education, employment, and addresses. This helps IRCC verify identities, assess security risks, and ensure that all family members are admissible to Canada.

The information on IMM 5406 may also be shared with security agencies such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as part of the screening process.

Who Needs to Complete IMM 5406?

IMM 5406 is typically required for the following types of applications:

• Family class sponsorship applications (spousal, parental, and other family sponsorship).
• Provincial Nominee Program applications.
• Some refugee and humanitarian applications.
• Other permanent residence applications where IRCC specifically requests it.

Check your application-specific document checklist on the IRCC forms and guides page to confirm whether you need this form. If your checklist includes IMM 5406, both the principal applicant and their spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) must each complete a separate copy of the form.

Difference Between IMM 5645 and IMM 5406

It is common for applicants to confuse these two forms. Here is the key difference:

• IMM 5645 (Family Information): Collects basic identifying information about your immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings). It focuses on names, dates of birth, and current locations.
• IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information): Collects more detailed information, including education history, occupation, and specific addresses for each family member listed. It provides a deeper look at your family background.

If your application requires both forms, the information should be consistent across them. Any discrepancies will raise flags with IRCC.

Information You Need to Gather

Before you start filling out IMM 5406, collect the following information for each family member who needs to be listed:

• Full legal name (family name and given names).
• Date of birth and place of birth.
• Current address and country of residence.
• Marital status.
• Present occupation and employer name.
• Education level and field of study.
• Relationship to you.

You will need this information for your spouse or partner, your children, your parents, your siblings, and potentially your spouse's parents and siblings as well (depending on the application type).

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing IMM 5406

Top Section: Applicant Identification

At the top of the form, enter your own details as the person completing the form:

Name of applicant: Your full legal name as it appears on your passport and other application forms.

Date of birth: In YYYY-MM-DD format.

UCI number: Your Unique Client Identifier, if you have one from a previous IRCC application.

Section 1: Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner

If you have a spouse or common-law partner, provide the following details:

• Full name as it appears on their passport or official documents.
• Date and place of birth.
• Date of marriage or the date your common-law relationship began.
• Present address including city, country, and postal code.
• Occupation: Describe their current job. If they are not employed, write "homemaker," "student," "retired," or "unemployed" as appropriate.

If you have had previous spouses or common-law partners, you need to list them as well with the same level of detail, plus the date the relationship ended and the reason (divorce, death, separation).

Section 2: Your Parents

List both your mother and father (or adoptive parents). For each parent, provide:

• Full name.
• Date of birth.
• Place of birth (city and country).
• Current address.
• Present occupation or "retired" / "deceased" as applicable.
• Marital status.

If a parent is deceased, enter "deceased" for the address and provide the date of death. If you do not have contact with a parent and do not know their current address, write "address unknown" and explain the situation briefly.

Section 3: Your Brothers and Sisters

List all of your siblings, including half-siblings and step-siblings. For each one, provide:

• Full name.
• Date of birth.
• Place of birth.
• Current address and country of residence.
• Marital status.
• Present occupation.

If you have many siblings, you may need to attach additional pages. Make sure to label each additional page with your name, UCI, and the section number it continues.

Section 4: Your Children

List all of your children (biological, adopted, and stepchildren), regardless of their age or whether they are included in your application. For each child, provide:

• Full name.
• Date of birth.
• Place of birth.
• Current address.
• Marital status (if applicable).
• Present occupation or "student" / "minor child" as appropriate.

Section 5: Spouse's Family (If Required)

Depending on your application type, you may also need to list your spouse's parents and siblings with the same level of detail. Family sponsorship applications frequently require this section. Check your document checklist to confirm.

Declaration and Signature

Sign and date the form at the bottom. Your signature certifies that all information is true and complete. If you used a representative to help you complete the form, they should also sign where indicated.

Tips for a Successful Submission

• Consistency is critical: The names, dates, and addresses on IMM 5406 must match what you have entered on IMM 5645, your main application forms, and any supporting documents.
• Use the same name format: If your passport spells your mother's name as "FATIMA" and you write "Fatma" on the form, IRCC may flag it. Use official spellings throughout.
• Be honest about gaps: If you do not know a family member's exact address or occupation, write "unknown" rather than guessing. Inaccurate information is worse than admitting you do not know.
• Print clearly: If filling out the form by hand, use block letters in black ink. Illegible handwriting causes processing delays.
• Attach extra pages if needed: If you run out of space for siblings or children, use a blank sheet with the same column headings and attach it to the form.

What Happens After You Submit

After IRCC receives your application package including IMM 5406, they will use the family information for background checks. This process can take several months depending on the complexity of your family situation and the countries involved.

You may receive a request for additional information or documents if IRCC needs clarification on any details you provided. Respond to such requests promptly to avoid delays.

You can check the status of your application through the IRCC application status tracker.

Consequences of Misrepresentation

It is extremely important to be truthful on IMM 5406. Under Section 40 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, misrepresentation can result in:

• Your application being refused.
• A five-year ban from submitting new immigration applications.
• Revocation of your permanent resident status if misrepresentation is discovered after approval.
• Potential criminal charges in serious cases.

If you made an honest mistake on a previously submitted form, contact IRCC as soon as possible to correct it. Proactive corrections are viewed much more favorably than errors discovered during verification.

Getting Professional Help

If your family situation is complex (large families, family members in multiple countries, estranged relatives, or previous immigration issues), consider working with a regulated immigration consultant or lawyer. They can help ensure your forms are complete and consistent.

Only use consultants who are members of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) or lawyers who are members of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society.

Related Forms and Resources

Here are some related guides that may help with your immigration application:

• Guide to IMM 5645 Family Information Form
• How to Fill Out IMM 1344 for PR Card Application
• Permanent Resident Card Renewal Guide
• How to Sponsor a Family Member to Canada
• How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship

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Download This Form

Before you submit anything, download the latest official file here: Download IMM5406 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 IMM5406 form (official IRCC)
• IRCC forms and guides library
• IRCC document checklists
• CRA forms and publications
• IRCC processing times