The Canadian government, through its agencies, has made it possible for extended family members who are not residents in Canada to reunite with their relative who is below 18 years of age (minor).
Â
For this to happen, there is a need to complete on behalf of the minor an application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration for the Parent of a Minor Form IMM 0016. This document or form falls within the documents which can be electronically signed and notarized. In addition, you can explore the physical signing and notarization, if preferred.
What is the Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration for the Parent of a Minor Form (IMM 0016)?
The purpose and intent of this application are to enable a relative or extended family member of a Minor who is domiciled outside of Canada to reunite with that minor.
Â
Owing to Canada being, officially, a bilingual State, the application form is presented in two languages viz:
Â
- IMM0016E Application Form which is in English; and
- IMM0016F Application Form which is in French.
Â
Officially, this application form was released by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRRC) in February 2021.
Is IMM 0016 a travel document?
Please note that the Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration for the Parent of a Minor (IMM 0016) form is not a travel document. Hence, the extended family member will need separate travel documents should you apply.
What are the steps for reuniting a minor with their extended family members?
The steps to reuniting a minor with their extended family member(s) include:
Step 1: Completion of the IMM 0016 Form
- The minor’s relative who’s domiciled outside of Canada completes and signs the IMM 0016 form.
Â
- The parent of the minor completes and signs the declaration form in the presence of a Notary public.
Â
- Please note that the extended family member who is not in Canada must receive a copy of the filled and notarized IMM 0016 Form, this is because this form attests to the relationship between the minor and the extended family member.
Â
After receipt of the filled Form, they can now go ahead to the second step.Â
Step 2: To Seek Permission
- The next step is to seek authorization for the extended family member to travel to Canada. You can access further information on how to seek authorization by accessing the IRRC site here.
Â
- Afterwards, the family member will email the letter seeking permission to: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors/immediate-family.html#authorization
Step 3: Family Member travels to Canada
- The family member must travel to Canada with a copy of the IMM 0016 form. If the family member fails to do so, he will not be granted entry into Canada.
What is the validity period of the notarized form IMM0016?
Upon executing or signing the form, the family member has 6 months within which to travel to Canada. Failure to travel within these 6 months, the family member will have to sign a new IMM 0016 Form.
Who can be considered an extended family member?
The categories of persons below are qualified to be categorized as extended family members:
- Grandparent
- Siblings, which may either be half or step-siblings.
What is the difference between IMM0016 and IMM0006E?
As has been stated, the IMM 0016 Form is a form for reuniting minors domiciled in Canada with their extended family outside of Canada. Whereas, the IMM0006E Form is for the ‘Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration for the purposes of Entry into Canada for Extended Family Members COVID-19’. You can read more about it here.
How to complete the IMM 0016 Form?
The application form is divided into five parts with distinct information required to be entered or completed. Notwithstanding that these parts are self-explanatory, these parts will be highlighted succinctly:
Â
- To complete the first part, you are required to enter the minor’s personal information like name, address, province, and date of birth.
Â
- In the second part of the application, as the applicant (parent or guardian) you are required to complete your personal information as in the above: date of birth, name, citizenship, phone contact, mail, and physical address.
Â
- In the third part, you will provide information on the Foreign National or Extended Family Member who is in charge of the minor in the country of domicile.
Â
As a parent, you are not expected to complete this part of the application as you will still refer to the foreign national or guardian in part five of the application concerning the minor or child.
Â
- The next and fourth part is where you sign on behalf of the minor. You can either sign this on or before booking an appointment with the notary public.
Â
- The last and fifth part is the declaration part. This is completed by you, the applicant. Under this section, you must identify the person whose information was provided in part three. Please note that you can complete this part, however, you cannot sign in the absence of the Notary public either physically or virtually.
How can you get the IMM 0016 Form?
You can get the application form by visiting and downloading it from the IRCC web page. Please right-click the link below, and save the document on your computer.Â
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/documents/pdf/english/kits/forms/imm0016e.pdf
Can the form be notarized online?
The solemn declaration form IMM 0016 can be notarized physically or virtually in the presence of a Notary public. Hence, you can, specifically, notarize the IMM 0016 Form digitally/virtually/online.
How can All-Canada Notary help?
The solemn declaration form IMM 0016 can be notarized physically or virtually in the presence of a Notary public. Hence, you can, specifically, notarize the IMM 0016 Form digitally/virtually/online.
