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ImmigrationFebruary 11, 20265 min read

Guide to IMM 5562 Supplementary Information Request

By WelcomeAide Team

Guide to IMM 5562 Supplementary Information Request

Quick Summary

  • IMM 5562 is used to provide additional information requested by IRCC during application processing
  • You may receive this request if IRCC needs clarification on your background, relationships, or travel history
  • Respond within the deadline specified in the request letter (usually 30 to 90 days)
  • Missing the deadline can result in your application being refused or abandoned
  • Provide thorough, honest, and well-documented responses

Receiving a request for supplementary information from IRCC can feel stressful, but it is a normal part of the immigration process. Form IMM 5562, or "Supplementary Information - Your Travels," is typically sent when an immigration officer needs more details than what you provided in your original application. This does not necessarily mean something is wrong. It simply means the officer needs additional information to make a decision.

Person receiving and opening an official letter at their front door

Why You Might Receive an IMM 5562 Request

IRCC may send this form for various reasons:

  • Travel history gaps: If your IMM 5669 Schedule A has unexplained periods where your whereabouts are unclear
  • Countries of concern: If you have traveled to or lived in countries where additional security screening is standard
  • Relationship verification: If IRCC needs more evidence that your spousal or family relationship is genuine
  • Employment verification: If your employment history requires clarification
  • Incomplete original application: If information was missing or unclear in your initial submission

What IMM 5562 Asks For

The form typically requests detailed information about your travels, including:

  • Every country you have visited in the past 10 years (or longer, depending on the request)
  • Exact dates of entry and exit for each country
  • Purpose of each visit (tourism, business, study, transit, visiting family)
  • Whether you held any status in each country (visa type, residence permit)
  • Addresses where you stayed during each visit

How to Complete IMM 5562

Step 1: Review the Request Letter Carefully

The request letter from IRCC will specify exactly what information they need and by when. Read it multiple times to make sure you understand every question. Note the deadline prominently on your calendar.

Step 2: Gather Your Records

To reconstruct your travel history accurately:

  • Collect all current and expired passports
  • Review passport stamps for dates of entry and exit
  • Check airline booking confirmations in your email
  • Review bank and credit card statements for foreign transactions that indicate travel dates
  • Check hotel booking confirmations
  • Ask family members who traveled with you for their records

Step 3: Create a Chronological Timeline

Before writing on the form, create a detailed timeline in a spreadsheet or document. List every trip chronologically with:

  1. Departure date from your country of residence
  2. Destination country
  3. Purpose of travel
  4. Where you stayed (hotel, relative's home, etc.)
  5. Return date

Step 4: Fill Out the Form

Transfer your timeline onto IMM 5562. Be precise with dates. If you cannot remember an exact date, provide your best estimate and note that it is approximate. It is better to say "approximately March 15, 2020" than to guess a wrong date with certainty.

Step 5: Attach Supporting Documents

Include copies of:

  • Relevant passport pages showing stamps
  • Visas issued for the countries you visited
  • Boarding passes or flight itineraries (if available)
  • Any other evidence of your travel dates
World map with passport, boarding passes, and travel documents

Tips for a Strong Response

  1. Be thorough: Do not omit trips, even short ones. IRCC may already have information about your travel from border agencies of other countries.
  2. Be consistent: Your response should match the information on your IMM 5669 and IMM 0008. If your original forms had errors, use a cover letter to explain the corrections.
  3. Include a cover letter: Write a brief cover letter summarizing what is enclosed and referencing your application number and UCI. This helps the officer match your response to your file.
  4. Respond before the deadline: If you need more time, contact IRCC before the deadline to request an extension. Do not simply miss the deadline without explanation.
  5. Keep copies: Photocopy everything you send and keep it in your records.

What Happens If You Do Not Respond?

If you fail to respond by the deadline and do not request an extension, IRCC may:

  • Refuse your application based on insufficient information
  • Declare your application abandoned
  • Make a decision based solely on the information already on file, which may not be in your favor

How to Submit Your Response

The request letter will specify how to respond. Common methods include:

  • Online: Through the IRCC online portal if your application was submitted online
  • By mail: To the address specified in the request letter (usually a visa office or case processing centre)
  • Through your representative: If you have an authorized representative (IMM 5476), they can submit on your behalf

For general help with immigration applications, visit the IRCC forms and guides page, or explore our blog for more guides on specific forms.

Person organizing documents in folders at a desk

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