When applying for a Canadian visa, whether it’s temporary or permanent, applicants are often required to complete several supporting documents as part of their application package. One of the most important—and often misunderstood—forms is IMM 5645, also known as the Family Information Form. It may seem straightforward at first glance, but it’s one of those forms that has tripped up many applicants, leading to unnecessary delays, returned applications, or even refusals.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the common mistakes people make when completing the IMM 5645, why they matter, and how you can avoid them. Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit, understanding this form and getting it right is essential to presenting a clean and credible application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Let’s dive in.
What is the IMM 5645 Family Information Form?
The IMM 5645 form is required for certain types of immigration applications and is used to collect information about your immediate family members, including your spouse or common-law partner, parents, and children. IRCC uses this information to establish your background, assess security or inadmissibility issues, and evaluate the consistency of your personal and familial details.
This form must be filled out accurately and completely. It is typically required for applicants from specific countries and is part of the document checklist for temporary resident visa (TRV) applications, such as visitor, student, or worker visas.
Why Is This Form So Important?
Even though it might seem like a standard biographical form, IRCC uses IMM 5645 to:
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Verify your family composition
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Match data with other immigration records
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Perform background and security checks
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Confirm consistency across your other forms and supporting documents
Mistakes on this form can raise red flags for officers, leading to questions about the truthfulness of your application or possible misrepresentation, even if unintentional.
Common Mistakes When Filling Out IMM 5645—and How to Fix Them
Let’s explore the most common pitfalls applicants encounter and provide clear solutions so you can avoid them.
1. Leaving Fields Blank
The Mistake: Many applicants skip sections that they think don’t apply to them or leave fields blank thinking they’re optional.
Why It’s a Problem: IRCC expects a complete form. Blank fields can signal missing information or make it appear that the applicant didn’t properly complete the form.
Solution:
Never leave a field blank. If a section doesn’t apply to you (e.g., you don’t have any children), write “Not Applicable” or “N/A” in that section. This shows that you’ve acknowledged the section and it doesn’t apply, rather than ignoring it.
2. Incorrect or Inconsistent Dates
The Mistake: Using approximate or inconsistent dates for birth, marriage, or death of family members.
Why It’s a Problem: Inconsistencies between your IMM 5645 and other forms (like your passport application or birth certificates) can raise questions about your reliability.
Solution:
Always use the exact dates as they appear on official documents. If you’re unsure about a date, make every effort to confirm it. If the information is genuinely unknown, include an explanatory note in your application.
3. Failing to List All Immediate Family Members
The Mistake: Omitting a parent, child, or spouse—even if they are deceased or estranged.
Why It’s a Problem: Failing to list immediate family members, regardless of their current relationship status or whether they will accompany you to Canada, can be considered misrepresentation.
Solution:
List all immediate family members: your parents, your current spouse or common-law partner, and all children, even if they are adults, live in another country, or are not in contact with you. If a family member is deceased, indicate their date of death and write “deceased” next to their name.
4. Confusing the Definition of “Children”
The Mistake: Only listing minor children or those living with you.
Why It’s a Problem: IRCC defines children as biological or adopted sons and daughters, regardless of age or living situation.
Solution:
Include all your children: minor and adult, living with you or elsewhere, biological or adopted. If a child is deceased, include them and indicate the date of death.
5. Omitting Stepchildren or Adopted Children
The Mistake: Not listing children from a spouse’s previous relationship or adopted children.
Why It’s a Problem: These children are considered part of your immediate family under IRCC’s definitions and must be disclosed.
Solution:
Include all stepchildren and adopted children, noting their relationship clearly. Use the additional space on the form or an extra sheet if necessary.
6. Listing Relatives Outside the Required Scope
The Mistake: Including siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or cousins.
Why It’s a Problem: While this doesn’t usually result in refusal, it clutters the form and may confuse the processing officer.
Solution:
Only list the required immediate family: parents, spouse or partner, and children. Do not include extended family unless specifically instructed.
7. Handwriting that Is Illegible or Inconsistent
The Mistake: Writing by hand in a way that is difficult to read or using different styles of handwriting throughout.
Why It’s a Problem: IRCC officers need to clearly read your form. Illegible writing can result in delays or misinterpretation of data.
Solution:
Type the form electronically using Adobe Acrobat or another PDF editor. This ensures legibility and a professional appearance. If you must fill it out by hand, print clearly in capital letters using black ink.
8. Incorrectly Describing Marital Status
The Mistake: Marking yourself as “Single” if you are separated or not legally divorced, or failing to update your status after a marriage.
Why It’s a Problem: This creates inconsistencies with other immigration records and documents, which may be seen as a red flag or misrepresentation.
Solution:
Use the correct terminology:
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Single: Never married
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Married: Legally married
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Separated: Still legally married but not living with your spouse
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Divorced: Legally divorced
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Widowed: Your spouse has died
Be sure to reflect this status consistently on all forms and attach supporting documents if required.
9. Not Including All Nationalities
The Mistake: Listing only one nationality when you have dual or multiple citizenships.
Why It’s a Problem: IRCC needs a complete picture of your background and affiliations.
Solution:
List all nationalities that apply to you and your family members, as shown on your passports or national ID cards.
10. Missing Signatures and Dates
The Mistake: Submitting the form without signing and dating it.
Why It’s a Problem: An unsigned or undated form is considered incomplete and may result in your application being returned or rejected.
Solution:
Before submitting, check all signature lines. Ensure you and all required co-applicants (if applicable) have signed and dated the form in the correct locations.
11. Not Updating the Form When Circumstances Change
The Mistake: Using an old version of the form after a change in your family structure (e.g., new child, marriage, divorce).
Why It’s a Problem: Outdated or inaccurate information, especially if discovered by IRCC, can lead to a negative outcome.
Solution:
Always use the most current version of the IMM 5645 form from IRCC’s website and update it any time your personal or family situation changes before your application is finalized.
Bonus Tips for Success
Use Extra Sheets If Necessary
If you run out of space (for example, if you have more than three children), don’t squeeze the information in tiny handwriting. Use an additional page with the same format. Label it clearly with your name and application number.
Consistency Is Key
Ensure that the names, dates of birth, and other personal data match exactly across all forms and documents. Even a small discrepancy, such as a misspelled name, can delay your application.
Save a Copy
Before you submit your application, make a copy (digital and/or physical) of the completed IMM 5645 form for your records. It will help in case IRCC has questions or you need to re-submit later.
Final Thoughts
Filling out the IMM 5645 Family Information Form is not just a formality—it’s a critical part of your application that directly impacts how IRCC assesses your background, family structure, and credibility. While it may appear straightforward, the details matter.
By understanding the most common mistakes and actively working to avoid them, you significantly increase your chances of submitting a successful and streamlined application. Think of the form as a snapshot of your family history—a document that not only provides transparency but also plays a role in your future in Canada.
If you’re ever in doubt, seek guidance from an authorized immigration consultant or double-check with IRCC’s instructions. But most importantly, take your time, be thorough, and be honest. A well-prepared application always begins with well-prepared forms.
Let your application speak confidently on your behalf—and that begins with getting the basics right.
