During the process of applying for permanent residence (PR) or a temporary visa to Canada, applicants may be required to submit IMM 5562 – Supplementary Information: Your Travels, a form providing a complete record of international travel history.
This form is not a formality — it is a critical element of security screening and immigration background checks. Therefore, it must be completed carefully, truthfully, and logically.
This guide explains:
- Why IRCC collects your travel history;
- Which trips must be declared and which can be omitted;
- What to do if you do not remember exact travel dates;
- The most common mistakes that lead to delays or additional document requests;
- How this form correlates with other sections of your application.
1. What is IMM 5562 and When is it Required
IMM 5562 – Supplementary Information – Your Travels is a supplemental form required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in the context of:
- Visitor or transit visa applications;
- Immigration programs under the Family Class;
- Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) applications;
- Sponsorship applications for parents, children, grandparents;
- Certain out-of-Canada applications or cases with specific circumstances.
The form may be requested:
- During the initial application stage;
- As part of an Additional Document Request (ADR) from an immigration officer;
- If inconsistencies or information gaps are identified in other parts of your application.
2. Why IRCC Requires Travel History
The IMM 5562 form serves to:
- Conduct national and international security checks, including comparing your travel history with Interpol databases, sanctions lists, and conflict zone records;
- Identify countries from which Police Certificates may be required (if cumulative stay exceeds six months, even if not continuous);
- Cross-reference your travel history with other forms, specifically:
• Address History (IMM 5669) — to avoid contradictions about actual residence periods;
• Work/Study History — to verify logical sequencing of residence, work, and travel.
- Assess your overall immigration history — frequent short-term travel to developed countries without violations may positively impact your application. Suspicious patterns, frequent stays in conflict zones, or undeclared travel may trigger additional scrutiny.
3. Who Must Complete IMM 5562
The form is mandatory for:
- The principal applicant;
- Spouse or common-law partner (if accompanying);
- Dependent children over 18 travelling with you;
- In certain cases — even non-accompanying family members if IRCC requests full background information.
4. What Trips Must Be Declared
You must declare:
- All trips outside your country of citizenship or permanent residence;
- The period of each trip (month/year of departure and return);
- The purpose of travel (tourism, visiting family, business, work, study, relocation, etc.);
- Each trip separately, even if to the same country but at different times or for different purposes.
Important: You must declare travel even within the Schengen Zone, USA, Turkey, Egypt, or similar regions — all trips outside your residence country must be disclosed.
5. What Travel Can Be Omitted
You do not need to declare:
- Travel within your country of citizenship or permanent residence;
- Short day trips or brief cross-border visits (especially to nearby regions), although it is recommended to declare such trips if they are infrequent;
- Permanent relocation movements (these are recorded in Address History, but to avoid confusion, it is advisable to duplicate relocation details in Travel History with the purpose: “Relocation”).
6. Applicable Travel Period
In most cases:
- You must declare your travel history for the past 10 years, or from the age of 18, whichever period is shorter;
- If IRCC requests a different time frame, this will be specified separately.
7. Examples of Properly Completed Travel Records
Tourism Example:
Country or territory visited: Poland
From: 07/2018
To: 08/2018
Purpose: Tourism
Temporary Relocation Example:
Country or territory visited: Germany
From: 03/2022
To: 07/2022
Purpose: Temporary relocation due to war in Ukraine
Frequent Family Visits Example:
Country or territory visited: Moldova
From: 12/2019
To: 01/2020
Purpose: Visiting family
Country or territory visited: Moldova
From: 06/2021
To: 07/2021
Purpose: Visiting family
8. If You Do Not Remember Exact Dates
- Provide approximate dates, e.g.: “From: 06/2015 – To: 07/2015”;
- Include a note in the form or in your cover letter:
“Dates are approximate and based on the best of my recollection.”
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Grouping multiple trips under a vague entry such as:
“Europe – multiple trips – 2015 to 2020 – Tourism” — this is prohibited; - Declaring only recent travel (e.g., past 3–5 years) when the form requires 10 years or from age 18;
- Missing specific dates or purpose of travel;
- Inconsistencies between Travel History and other application forms (Address History, Work/Study History);
- Failing to declare short trips to border regions, which may appear as an attempt to conceal information.
10. Practical Recommendations for Preparing Travel History
- Keep a detailed spreadsheet (Excel or Google Sheets) documenting all your trips;
- Cross-reference your data with passports, visas, entry/exit stamps, tickets, emails, or photos;
- For travel to Canada, check your CBSA/GCMS Travel History if available;
- Never leave time gaps in your travel record — if you did not travel, explicitly state:
“No travels” or “Did not travel during this period.” - If unsure, it is better to over-declare than omit relevant information;
- Be truthful — IRCC has access to global travel databases and visa histories;
- Ensure your Travel History is logically consistent with Address History and Work History to avoid discrepancies.
Conclusion
IMM 5562 is a critical tool for verifying your immigration background. The accuracy, completeness, and logical consistency of your travel history directly influence:
- The credibility of your application;
- The absence of contradictions between application forms;
- The speed of processing and reduction in the likelihood of additional document requests or delays.
A properly completed Travel History strengthens your case, demonstrates transparency and honesty, and shows your diligence in preparing your application.
It is strongly recommended to maintain a personal record of all international travel in advance and to submit a cover letter with clarifications where needed to avoid misinterpretations or unnecessary delays.
