The Canadian Government put travel restrictions in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, these travel restrictions have meant that many families have been kept apart. This has made a very difficult time more challenging for many people.
In October 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set out procedures to help people travel to Canada to reunite with their families. This blog post provides information on how to unite with extended family members who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under the federal Indian Act. It also provides information on how to get the IMM 0006 Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration notarized quickly and easily.
What is the IMM 0006E Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration?
The IMM 0006E Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration is a form that is used to request authorization for a person outside of Canada to travel to Canada to reunite with an extended family member who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the federal Indian Act. Only certain family members can apply for authorization to travel - see the section Who counts as an extended family member? below.
The family member outside of Canada must sign the IMM 0006E form . The Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the federal Indian Act must swear the statutory declaration section of the IMM 0006E form in front of a notary or commissioner for taking oaths.
Where can I get a copy of the IMM 0006E Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration?
You can get a copy of the IMM 0006E Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration on the IRCC website. Please note that you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and complete the IMM 0006 form. You can download Adobe Acrobat for free from the Adobe website.
Who counts as an extended family member?
Only certain types of relationships qualify as “extended family members”.
If your relationship is with a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act, you must be:
in an exclusive dating relationship, have been in the relationship for at least one year and have spent time in the physical presence of that person at some point during the relationship
a non-dependent child (adult child)
a grandchild (dependent child of a non-dependent adult child)
a sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling
a grandparent
If you’re related to the spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act, you must be a
non-dependent child (adult child)
grandchild (dependent child of a non-dependent adult child)
sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling
grandparent
If you’re related to someone in an exclusive dating relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must be a
dependent child
non-dependent child (adult child)
grandchild (dependent child of a non-dependent adult child)
What are the steps for reuniting with extended family members?
There are three steps for reuniting with extended family members:
Step 1: Complete the IMM 0006 E Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration Form
The family member outside of Canada signs the declaration
The Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act signs the form by solemn declaration in front of a notary public, commissioner for taking oaths, justice of the peace or lawyer
The family member outside of Canada receives a copy of the completed IMM 0006 form
The completed IMM 0006 form is evidence of the extended family relationship between the person outside of Canada and the Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act.
Step 2: Request permission for the family member outside of Canada to travel to Canada
More information on how to request permission to travel is available on the How to request a written authorization from IRCC web page.
Email your written request for authorization to IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.
Step 3: Travel to Canada
The family member travelling to Canada must bring a copy of the IMM 0006 application for authorization and statutory declaration with them when they travel. If they don’t, they will not be allowed to enter Canada.
Once the IMM 0006 form is signed, the family member outside of Canada has six months to travel to Canada. If more than six months has passed since the IMM 0006 was signed, the family members must sign a new IMM 0006.
How do I get the IMM 0006 authorization and statutory declaration notarized?
The Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act who wants to reunite with their family member must sign and swear the solemn declaration on the IMM 0006.
This can be done in person with a notary public, commissioner for taking oaths, justice of the peace or a lawyer.
It can also be done online with online notary services.
If you need to sign an IMM 0006 form, Downtown Notary can help. We have helped hundreds of people complete the IMM 0006 form quickly and easily with our in-person and online notary services.
Ready to complete your IMM 0006 form?
Book your in-person appointment at one of Downtown Notary’s convenient locations
Book your online notary appointment with Notarize.ca, Downtown Notary’s online notary service
You can also contact us at info@downtown-notary.ca or call us at 647-799-3531 for more information or help with booking.
Does a completed IMM 0006E form guarantee entry into Canada?
It is very important to note that a signed IMM 0006E form is not authorization to travel. Instead, it is important proof of the family relationship between the parties that must be submitted as part of the application for authorization. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada strongly recommend that you do not book travel plans before you receive final authorization to travel.
It is also important to be aware that if you are entering Canada from another country, you are subject to federal requirements and possible additional provincial or territorial requirements. As of February 15, 2021, persons entering Canada from the US by land must also provide proof of a valid COVID-10 test result taken in the US. For a list of provincial and territorial requirements, visit the Government of Canada’s webpage on Provincial and territorial restrictions.
I have more questions about how to unite with my extended family member - where can I get more help?
If you have questions about how to unite with your extended family member, visit the IRCC’s web page . You can also contact the IRCC.
This blog post is for your information only. It does not, and is not intended to, provide any legal advice. If you have questions about your immigration and refugee rights, we recommend that you contact a lawyer who specializes in immigration and refugee law.
