Schedule A form Canada: The most important immigration form (IMM 5669 E) (2024)

If you ask me which immigration form is the most important, I’ll answer Schedule A form Canada (IMM 5669). I’ll explain the content of this form and its importance here. Please keep reading as you won’t regret it.

• Why is IMM 5669 critical?
• Where to download the form
• Which programs require this form
• Who needs to fill out IMM 5669
• The main areas of the form
• Alternatives to IMM 5669
• Let us help!

Why Schedule A form is the most crucial immigration form in Canada?

Schedule A asks many intimate questions about your background. Of course, the questions include your personal history, education, work history, and more. Therefore, the officer could decide whether you are inadmissible to Canada or not. They also compare this form with the other papers you have presented in the past or alongside this form. Consequently, discrepancies between this form and the other documents could cause inadmissibility due to misrepresentation. Officers use this form to decide if you deserve to immigrate to Canada regardless of your eligibility for an immigration program.

Schedule A is the most critical immigration form because it could make you and your family inadmissible. Thus, take it seriously.

Where to download the Schedule A form

There are two versions of IMM5669:

• Click here to download the latest version of the form on the IRCC website.
• If you are submitting a sponsorship application, click here and download eIMM5669.

You sometimes need to fill out the Schedule 1 form (IMM 5257B) for temporary resident applications. There are many similarities between that form and Schedule A. However, you could notice a few differences.

The current article focuses on the regular version of IMM 5669. Nevertheless, you could easily use it for eIMM 5669 and IMM 5257.

Which programs require this form?

Almost all immigration programs require a Schedule A form. However, some online application options, such as Express Entry, have incorporated the form in their questionnaires. Also, the new PR portal asks you to fill out this form online.

Who needs to fill out the Schedule A form?

Generally speaking, the following people must fill out the form:

• The principal (primary) applicant
• The spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant
• Dependent children who are 18 or more

Sometimes you need to fill out a Schedule A form for minor children. An example is when you are sponsoring your dependent child to Canada. Regardless of their age, you must fill out the form. Of course, the best guide is the document checklist to decide if this form is necessary for minor children.

The main areas of Schedule A form

Let’s explore different areas of the form:

Questions 1 to 5: personal information

Make sure to enter your information (name, date of birth, etc.) correctly. Also, consider the following:

• If you use names other than your legal name, enter them under the Given names(s) section (question 1).
• If you have legally changed your name, enter both the new and old names. Nevertheless, you need to include documents showing the legal name change.
• Do not forget to enter your name in your native language under question 2. Of course, you may need to enter this manually or insert a picture in the form.

Question 6: direct background questions

These questions on the Schedule A form explore inadmissibility to Canada. Therefore, make sure to answer them truthfully and comprehensively. Nonetheless, hiring a licensed professional assists you with complex background situations. Of course, if you are the principal applicant (PA), you must also answer these questions on behalf of your family members listed in your PR application.

Question 7: education

You need to mention the number of years you’ve attended school. However, you only need to mention your secondary and post-secondary education in the table.

Question 8: the personal history

IRCC expects you to briefly list your personal history in the past ten years. Of course, the personal history could refer to the duration of:

• Employment
• Unemployment
• Studying
• Detention
• Travelling
• Serving time in prison or similar facilities
• etc.

If you are under 28 years old, you only need to post your personal history since you were 18. In exceptional cases, you may need to fill out the form for a minor. Consequently, list their activities in the past ten years or after their birth, whichever is shorter. Consider the following:

• Enter the information in reverse chronological order. Therefore, the most recent activity will occupy the first row of the table.
• If you do not have enough space, use extra paper and post the rest of this table. However, indicate the existence of the additional table on the main form. For example, you could write: “Continued on Exhibit A.” Make sure to mark the extra paper accordingly (e.g., Exhibit A).
• IRCC is extremely sensitive to gaps on the Personal History table. Therefore, make sure not to leave a gap, even one month.

Questions 9 and 10: membership in organizations and government positions

Enter all your memberships and government positions in these tables. Do not leave the tables blank. Consequently, if there is nothing to say, enter “NONE” in the first row.

Question 11: military or paramilitary service on the Schedule A form

Enter the details of your military or paramilitary service, if applicable, in this section. Of course, if you have not served in the military, enter “NONE” in the first row. If you believe your military service will cause sensitivities, you may even fill out IMM 5546 form to share more details. However, for most applicants, this form is not necessary. Consult with a professional to decide.

Question 12: Addresses on IMM 5669

Like the history section, you must leave no gaps between the addresses. Enter them in reverse chronological order. Moreover, make sure the addresses do not contradict other areas of the form, such as your personal history, education, and military service.

Sign and date the form

Make sure to sign the form manually in the Declaration of applicant box. Use black or blue ink.

Do not fill out the last box of the form!

The last box of the Schedule A form is only for the time IRCC invites you for an interview. However, these interviews rarely happen. Regardless, do not fill out this area.

Alternatives to IMM 5669

IRCC uses the Schedule A form for permanent resident applications. However, they sometimes ask you to fill out a similar form for temporary resident applications. Ask your representative about Schedule 1 or IMM 5257. They will tell you if you need to submit that form or not.

How we could help you with the Schedule A form

I have more than ten years of experience as a licensed immigration consultant. If you hire me, we will review your forms for correctness. Of course, I do not accept reviewing a single form, but we’ll certainly check all the forms and documents in every application. Please fill out our assessment form or book a consultation session today. Alternatively, you could contact us via the following form if you are facing immigration issues.

If you wish to visit or move to Canada, please fill out our free assessment form. We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licensed practitioner.

Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada

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