Everything You Need to Know About Immigration Form IMM5990

What is the Statutory Declaration to Confirm the Relationship of an Extended Family Member in Canada

The Canadian government made an important announcement on 17th November, 2023 about opening a dedicated humanitarian pathway to grant permanent residence to foreign nationals from Haiti, Venezuela, and Colombia. This initiative, formally known as the “Temporary Public Policy to facilitate the issuance of permanent resident visas to certain Haitian, Venezuelan, and Colombian nationals with family in Canada,” aims to reunite tens of thousands of individuals from these countries with their families in Canada.

If you are a Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada who wants to sponsor (anchor) a family member from Haiti, Venezuela or Colombia, you will need to complete the IMM5990 Form E: Statutory Declaration to Confirm the Relationship of an Extended Family Member in Canada and have it commissioned by a Notary Public or a Commissioner of Oaths. Similar programs also exist for Ukraine and Gaza.

Understanding Immigration Form IMM5990

Immigration Form IMM5990 is a necessary document mandated by the Government of Canada for Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan foreign nationals seeking entry into Canada through the new humanitarian pathway. This declaration serves to validate the extended family connection between the applicant and their family member who is already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Additionally, the IMM5990E form affirms that the Canadian citizen or permanent resident is committed to acting as an “anchor” and will provide support to the applicant during their first year in Canada. This form must be completed by the anchor, who must then sign it before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths. Once the document is commissioned, it needs to be uploaded and included with the rest of the application for Permanent Residence by the applicant.

Who is eligible to participate in this Immigration program?

Applicants for this program must meet the following requirements:

• be a Colombian, Haitian or Venezuelan national
• be located in Mexico, Central or South America, or the Caribbean
• be a spouse, common-law partner, child (regardless of age), grandchild, parent, grandparent or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is willing and eligible to support your application (an “anchor”)
• plan to live outside Quebec
• have a valid passport or eligible travel or identity document

Who is eligible to serve as an “anchor” (sponsor)

The anchor for the application must meet the following requirements:
• 18 years of age or older
• Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada
• Currently reside in Canada
• Reside outside the province of Quebec (as Quebec is not participating in this program)

The anchor must provide a provincial identification document. As well, the anchor must confirm whether or not the family is paying them to submit the application, and answer questions regarding their financial status and whether they have been convicted of certain criminal offences or are subject to removal orders in Canada.

What is the application process?

Applications are currently being accepted and processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the specified limit is reached. It is crucial to note that once the Permanent Resident portal reaches its limit, the option for new online submissions will be temporarily unavailable.

To initiate the process, the applicantmust complete the required forms and upload the accompanying documents directly onto the Permanent Residence portal of the Canadian Government. The applicant must upload all required documents as well as the statutory declaration (IMM 5990) from the anchor in Canada.

How Can Red Seal Notary Help?

Red Seal Notary’s team of knowledgeable and professional notaries can help you commission or notarize IMM5990 (Statutory Declaration to Confirm the Relationship of an Extended Family Member in Canada) at our convenient walk-in offices in Toronto, Ottawa, and Mississauga, as well as by appointment at locations across Canada. Please visit our website at www.RedSealNotary.com or contact our helpful call center at 1-888-922-7325 to make an appointment to notarize documents at locations across the country.

Helpful Links

Online Permanent Resident application
IMM5990 Form E Statutory Declaration to Confirm the Relationship of an Extended Family Member in Canada (Colombia, Haiti, Venezuela)
IMM0191E Statutory Declaration to Confirm the Relationship of an Extended Family Member in Canada (Ukraine)
IMM5992E Statutory Declaration to Confirm the Relationship of an Extended Family Member in Canada (Gaza)
Government of Canada Backgrounder on the program
IRCC Instructions for Ukrainian Relatives program
IRCC Instructions for Gaza Relatives program