Forms & ApplicationsFebruary 13, 202611 min read

IMM 5406 Guide for Newcomers: Complete Additional Family

By WelcomeAide Team

Family reviewing immigration paperwork for IMM 5406 in Canada

What Is Form IMM 5406?

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

Form IMM 5406 is the Additional Family Information form required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as part of many immigration applications. This form collects detailed information about your family members — including parents, siblings, spouse, common-law partner, children, and other dependants — to help IRCC conduct background and security checks.

The IMM 5406 is required for most permanent residence applications including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, family sponsorship, refugee applications, and some temporary residence applications. Failing to include this form, or filling it out incorrectly, is one of the most common reasons for application delays and returns.

Download the form: IMM 5406 — IRCC.

Person carefully filling out IMM 5406 Additional Family Information form

Who Needs to Complete IMM 5406?

The IMM 5406 must be completed by:

The principal applicant — the main person applying for immigration
The spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) — they complete a separate IMM 5406
Any dependant child aged 18 or older who is included in the application

Each person listed above must fill out their own separate copy of the form. This is a common mistake — submitting only one form for the whole family will result in your application being returned as incomplete.

When Is IMM 5406 Required?

This form is typically required for:

Express Entry applications (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications
Family sponsorship (spouse, parent, grandparent)
Atlantic Immigration Program
Refugee and protected persons applications
Some study and work permit applications (depending on your nationality and circumstances)

Always check the document checklist specific to your application type on the IRCC website. If the checklist includes IMM 5406, you must include it.

Section-by-Section Walkthrough

Section A: Your Personal Details

Enter your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your passport), date of birth, UCI (Unique Client Identifier) if you have one from previous IRCC interactions, and your relationship status.

Section B: Your Parents

List both parents (or adoptive parents if applicable):

Full name — including maiden name for your mother if applicable
Date of birth
Country of birth
Current address — include full address with city, country, and postal code
Marital status
Immigration status — citizen, PR, etc. and country

If a parent is deceased: Still include their information. Write "deceased" in the address field and include the date and country of death if known.

Section C: Your Siblings (Brothers and Sisters)

List all siblings — full siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, and adopted siblings. For each sibling, provide:

Full name
Date of birth
Country of birth
Current address
Marital status
Occupation

Common issue: Applicants sometimes forget to include half-siblings or step-siblings. IRCC takes completeness seriously — include everyone, even siblings you have limited contact with.

Section D: Your Children

List all children, including:

Biological children (even if they live with another parent)
Adopted children
Stepchildren
Children not included in the application (e.g., adult children or children living in another country)

For each child, provide their full name, date of birth, country of birth, current address, marital status, and whether they are accompanying you to Canada.

Critical warning: Failing to declare all children — including children from previous relationships — can have severe immigration consequences. If IRCC discovers an undeclared child later, it can be grounds for revoking your permanent residence. Always disclose all children, regardless of custody or relationship status.

Family preparing immigration documents together at home

Section E: Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner's Details

If you are married or in a common-law relationship, provide your partner's information. Remember that your partner must also complete their own separate IMM 5406 form listing their parents, siblings, and children.

Tips for Filling Out IMM 5406 Correctly

1. Be Consistent Across All Forms

The information on your IMM 5406 must match every other form in your application — IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form), IMM 5669 (Schedule A), and any other supplementary forms. IRCC cross-references all your forms. Inconsistencies trigger additional scrutiny and delays.

2. Use Full Legal Names

Always use full legal names, not nicknames or shortened versions. If your mother goes by "Mary" but her legal name is "Mariam," use "Mariam."

3. Include Deceased Family Members

You must list parents and siblings who have passed away. Mark them as deceased and provide as much information as you can.

4. Do Not Leave Fields Blank

If a field does not apply to you, write "N/A" (Not Applicable) or "Unknown" rather than leaving it empty. An empty field may be interpreted as an incomplete form.

5. If You Need More Space

If you have more siblings or children than the form has space for, attach a separate sheet following the same format. Write "See attached sheet" on the form and include your name and UCI/application number on the attached sheet.

6. Digital vs. Paper

If applying online, the form is typically filled out digitally (PDF form). If applying by paper, print clearly in black ink. Either way, ensure everything is legible.

Common Mistakes That Cause Problems

Submitting only one form for the whole family: Each applicant (principal, spouse, adult dependants) needs their own IMM 5406
Omitting half-siblings or step-siblings: All siblings must be listed
Not declaring all children: This is the most serious omission and can result in PR revocation
Inconsistent names or dates: Names must match across all forms and your passport
Missing addresses: Provide complete current addresses for all family members, including city and country
Using nicknames instead of legal names: Always use the name as it appears on official documents
Forgetting to sign and date: An unsigned form is invalid

How IRCC Uses This Information

IRCC uses the family information from IMM 5406 for several purposes:

Security screening: Checking family members against databases for security concerns
Admissibility determination: Certain family connections can affect your admissibility to Canada
Fraud detection: Comparing information across applications and verifying consistency
Future family sponsorship: Establishing a record of your family members for potential future sponsorship applications

Completed IMM 5406 form ready for submission with immigration application

Getting Help

If you find the form confusing or have a complex family situation, consider:

Settlement agencies: Many offer free immigration form assistance — Find a settlement agency
Licensed immigration consultants (RCICs): Find one through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
Immigration lawyers: Through your provincial law society

Key Takeaways

Each applicant (principal, spouse, adult dependants) must complete their own IMM 5406
List ALL family members — parents, all siblings (half/step included), all children (biological, adopted, step)
Include deceased family members
Information must be consistent across all immigration forms
Never leave fields blank — use "N/A" or "Unknown"
Failing to declare children can result in permanent residence revocation
Get help from settlement agencies or licensed consultants if your situation is complex

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

Official external resources

Beyond Form IMM 5406: What Happens Next?

After diligently completing and submitting your IMM 5406, "Additional Family Information," you might wonder what the next steps entail. This form is a crucial part of your immigration application, ensuring that IRCC has a complete picture of your family composition. Once submitted, it becomes part of your overall application package, which will then be processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

It's vital to remember that processing times can vary significantly depending on the specific program you've applied under and the complexity of your case. You can generally check the estimated processing times on the official IRCC website. Regularly monitoring your application status online is also highly recommended. You'll typically receive updates through your online account or via mail.

Crucially, if there are any changes to your family situation after you've submitted your application (e.g., marriage, birth of a child, divorce, or death of a declared family member), you must inform IRCC immediately. Failure to do so can lead to serious delays or even refusal of your application. Instructions on how to update your information can be found on the Government of Canada website. For any general questions about your immigration journey or understanding the next steps, our AI Navigator can provide quick, reliable information. And to help you manage all aspects of your new life, don't forget to use our comprehensive Settlement Checklist.

Sponsoring Other Family Members Later

The IMM 5406 form primarily focuses on family members who are accompanying you to Canada or those you are declaring as part of your initial application process. However, many newcomers have other beloved family members they wish to bring to Canada once they themselves are settled. This is where Canada's robust family sponsorship programs come into play.

If you have parents, grandparents, siblings, or adult children who were not included in your initial application and are not considered dependants, you may be able to sponsor them under different immigration streams. The most well-known is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada. There are also other Family Class sponsorships for spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and in some limited cases, other relatives.

Sponsorship involves meeting specific eligibility criteria, including demonstrating sufficient income to support your sponsored family members and ensuring they will not need social assistance. Understanding the financial implications is key; our Cost of Living Calculator can help you plan your finances, and the Benefits Finder can shed light on available support programs for newcomers, which might indirectly help you understand the financial landscape for sponsors. You can find detailed information on all family sponsorship options, eligibility, and how...

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