IMM 5257: Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
Form IMM 5257 is the application a foreign national completes to apply for a temporary resident visa to visit Canada. Download the official IRCC PDF and open it in Adobe Reader to fill it in.
This is the genuine IRCC PDF, unmodified. Source: IRCC official page.
What is IMM 5257?
The Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa), IMM 5257, is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Foreign nationals who need a visa to enter Canada use it to apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) for a visit, whether that is tourism, seeing family, or a short business trip. The form collects personal details, passport information, the purpose and length of the visit, and the applicant’s work, travel and family history.
IMM 5257 is a dynamic PDF built with Adobe XFA technology, so it will not open in a web browser or the macOS Preview app and cannot be completed in the browser here. Download it and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill it in, then use the Validate button to generate the 2D barcode pages IRCC reads. Most applicants also give biometrics as part of the process.
Who files IMM 5257?
- Foreign nationals from visa required countries applying to visit Canada
- People visiting family or friends in Canada on a temporary basis
- Business visitors coming to Canada for meetings or short assignments
- Parents and grandparents applying for a visitor visa to spend time in Canada
How to fill out IMM 5257
- Download the form and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader, because this dynamic PDF will not display in a browser or preview app.
- Complete your personal details and passport information exactly as they appear on your travel document.
- Enter the purpose of your visit, how long you plan to stay and how you will support yourself while in Canada.
- Add your travel, work and family history and answer the background questions fully.
- Click Validate in Adobe Reader to create the barcode pages, then submit IMM 5257 to IRCC with your application, usually through your online account, and give biometrics if you are asked to.
Get IMM 5257
This is a dynamic PDF from IRCC: it only fills in correctly in Adobe Acrobat Reader, so there is no in-browser fill here. Download the genuine IMM 5257 below and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete and save it.
Download the official IMM 5257 PDFFrequently asked questions
Do I need a visitor visa or an eTA?
It depends on your nationality and how you travel. Visa required travellers use IMM 5257 for a temporary resident visa, while visa exempt travellers flying to Canada usually need an electronic travel authorisation instead. Check which applies to you.
Why does the form show a blank page?
IMM 5257 is a dynamic XFA form. Browsers and the macOS Preview app cannot display it, so it looks blank. Save it and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to see the fields.
Is there a fee for the visitor visa?
Yes, a visitor visa has a processing fee and biometrics usually carry a separate fee. Amounts change over time, so check the current fee at the IRCC site before you pay.