IMM 5257: Application for Temporary Resident Visa
Last updated · Reviewed by Immigration Content Lead · Review cadence 60 days
Quick answer
IMM 5257 is the application form used to request a temporary resident visa, commonly known as a visitor visa, to enter Canada. It collects personal, travel and background information from the applicant and is generally submitted with supporting documents such as a passport and proof of ties to a home country.
Key takeaways
- IMM 5257 is the core application form for a temporary resident visa, also called a visitor visa.
- It is required for nationals of countries whose citizens need a visa to travel to Canada.
- The form asks about identity, travel purpose, and background details relevant to admissibility.
- It is often submitted alongside a separate background declaration schedule and supporting documents.
- Applicants must always use the current version from canada.ca, since older versions are rejected.
- Accuracy about travel history and purpose of visit is important, since inconsistencies can delay a decision.
Purpose
IMM 5257 is used to apply for a temporary resident visa, which allows a foreign national who needs one to travel to and enter Canada temporarily, for example to visit, do business, or transit. The form gathers biographical, travel and background information IRCC uses to assess admissibility and the likelihood the applicant will leave Canada by the end of their authorized stay.
This guide describes the form's purpose only; it does not reproduce its questions. Always complete the form using the current version downloaded from the official IRCC page.
When to use it
Use IMM 5257 when applying for a visitor visa for tourism, family visits, business travel or transit, where the applicant is a national of a country whose citizens require a visa to enter Canada.
- Required for eligible visitor visa applications submitted from outside Canada or in some cases from within Canada.
- Often accompanied by a background declaration schedule requested by the visa office.
- Not used by nationals of countries eligible instead for an Electronic Travel Authorization.
Required information
Applicants generally need a valid passport, travel itinerary or purpose of visit details, and information about ties to their home country, such as employment or family, before completing the form. Always download the current version of this form directly from the official IRCC form page before completing it, since IRCC rejects older versions and applications submitted on outdated forms can be returned unprocessed.
Preparation tips
- Confirm whether you need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization before selecting a form.
- Download the current IMM 5257 form directly from the official IRCC page rather than reusing an older saved copy.
- Prepare clear evidence of ties to your home country and your intended travel plans in advance.
- Review your entries against your passport to ensure names and numbers match exactly.
Common mistakes
- Applying for a visitor visa when an Electronic Travel Authorization is the correct requirement instead.
- Submitting an outdated version of the form found through a search engine rather than the current IRCC page.
- Providing vague travel purposes without supporting detail or documents.
- Leaving background declaration questions incomplete when a supplementary schedule is required.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need IMM 5257 or an Electronic Travel Authorization?
- It depends on your nationality. Visa-exempt travellers eligible for an eTA use that process instead; check current IRCC country requirements before choosing.
- Can I apply for IMM 5257 online?
- In most cases, applications can be submitted through IRCC's online application system, but always confirm the current submission method on the official form page.
- Does IMM 5257 guarantee entry to Canada?
- No. A visa allows you to travel to a Canadian port of entry, but a border services officer makes the final decision on admission at that time.
- What supporting documents go with IMM 5257?
- Typically a valid passport, photographs meeting current specifications, and evidence supporting your travel purpose and ties to your home country, as listed on the current document checklist.
Continue from here
Official sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Government requirements change. Confirm details against the official sources above, and read our editorial standards.