How to Fill Out IMM 5257 Visitor Visa Application
By WelcomeAide Team
Quick Summary
- IMM 5257 is the main form for a Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa)
- You must show the purpose of your visit, financial ability, and strong ties to your home country
- The form asks for personal details, travel history, employment, and background information
- Most applications are submitted online through IRCC
- Weak documentation is the most common reason for refusal
IMM 5257 is the core form used to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), often called a visitor visa. This visa allows a foreign national to travel to Canada for tourism, family visits, or short business activities. If you are helping parents visit for a graduation ceremony, inviting relatives for a wedding, or planning a short visit yourself, this is the form you need.
Who Needs IMM 5257?
People from visa-required countries must complete IMM 5257 before traveling to Canada. Citizens of visa-exempt countries usually apply for an eTA instead. Check your country requirement on the IRCC entry requirements page.
Key Eligibility Points
- You will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay
- You have enough money for the trip
- You have no serious criminal or medical inadmissibility issues
- You have ties to your home country, such as work, family, property, or studies
Step-by-Step: Completing IMM 5257
Personal details
Use your passport spelling exactly. Include all names used, date of birth, citizenship, and passport information.
Contact and residence history
List your current address and legal status in your current country. If you live outside your country of citizenship, include your permit details.
Visit details
Enter your purpose of visit, planned arrival and departure dates, and where you will stay in Canada. If visiting family, include host details and invitation letter information.
Employment and education
Provide your current job and recent history. If a student, provide school details. Officers use this section to assess ties to your home country.
Background questions
Answer all security and admissibility questions honestly. If "yes" to any question, provide a clear written explanation and supporting documents.
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Digital photo
- Proof of funds (bank statements, salary slips)
- Travel purpose documents (invitation letter, hotel booking, conference registration)
- Employment letter or student enrollment proof
- Travel history documents (previous visas, entry stamps)
- Family ties documents in home country
Common Refusal Reasons
- Insufficient funds for the trip
- Weak ties to home country
- Unclear purpose of visit
- Inconsistent answers across forms and letters
- Missing supporting documents
Where to Submit
Submit online through the IRCC account portal. Depending on nationality, biometrics may be required at a Visa Application Centre. Check processing times on the IRCC processing tool.
Related guides: IMM 5708 checklist, IMM 5487 super visa checklist, IMM 1294 study permit, IMM 1295 work permit, and IMM 5476 representative form.
Official visitor visa guidance and IRCC forms and guides should be reviewed before submission.
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