How to download a PDF IMM form

This info applies to all IMM forms from the Canadian government website. For example the family information form IMM 5707. One of the many options shown here will work.

First and foremost, all IMM forms are free forms which you can download from the website of the Canadian government.

You should not pay any fee for an IMM form. Neither to download, not to fill out. If you try to fill out the form via a third-party website, it could be outdated and it could lead to a work permit refusal.

For example the IMM 5707 Family Information form. 

Sometimes there are issues with the download of IMM forms. And a "Please wait..." error screen appears. Most likely it is because of your computer settings.

download imm form creating an error message

Reason 1

IMM forms from the Canadian government cannot be opened on mobile devices (iPads, tablets, mobile phones, etc.). You need to open them on your computer. Best used if it is a Windows Computer or Laptop. A Chromebook will not work either.

Forms for applications for Canada (e.g. work permit, study permit, visitor record, etc.) must always be downloaded from the document overview of your application or from the canada.ca page which is the official website of the government so you can be certain you always download the latest version. Also, when you search an IMM form in a search engine like Google, make sure you download it from the Canada.ca website. 

Reason 2

A lot of times it is due to an old PDF reader. 

Install the free, latest Adobe Acrobat Reader. You should not pay any fee to download Acrobat Reader. Stay away from third-party websites that offer downloads, they might contain hidden viruses and malware. 

Reason 3

This is the most common reason why an IMM form cannot be opened: Your computer is trying to open the PDF in the browser. You have to take some steps to download the file to your computer and open it from there. 

For PC users

  • Right-click the link.
  • Select “Save target as” or “Save link as”.
  • Choose the location on your computer where you would like to save the file.
  • Select “Save”.
  • Use Windows Explorer to get to the location where you saved the file.
  • Right click on the PDF file.
  • Select “Open with”.
  • Select “Choose program”.
  • Select “Adobe Acrobat Reader”.
  • Make sure to check the box that says, “Always use this program to open these files”.
  • Select “OK”.

For Mac users

  • Press the Control (Ctrl) key and click on the link
  • When the option menu appears, choose “Download link to disk” or “Download linked file”.
  • Choose the location on your computer where you would like to store the file. Your computer will start the download once you have selected a location.

Another option

When you are in the error screen, check the top right corner. Some browsers have a download symbol (it could also be a “save” symbol). Click that option, then a popup window will appear which asks you where to save the file. The file will automatically be downloaded and can be found in your “Downloads” folder on your computer. Open it from that downloads folder. 

Another option - Try this setting in the Chrome Browser

  1. Open the Chrome Browser (download it if you don’t have it)
  2. Search the form and click the link. 
  3. The form will be downloaded into the “Downloads” folder on your PC/Laptop. 
  4. Open the file from there. 
  5. If it does not automatically download: Type this exact text in the Chrome browser: chrome://settings/downloads
  6. Activate the button as shown in the screenshot.
  7. Open a new tab in the Chrome browser and try to download the form again.
  8. Now it should work 
chrome settings to download PDF

Another easy trick!

By now, one of the above options should have worked. If you still are not successful, this last trick will succeed 100%. 

  • Search for the Form on Google. It should be listed at the top and show the canada.ca website.
  • Right-click on the link of the form
  • Copy the link address 
  • Open Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer
  • On the top left corner first click “File” and then click “Open”
  • In the field where the file must be selected, simply paste the copied link.
  • Click “Open”
  • The form will open in your PDF Reader where you can fill it out. 

Do I have to print and sign the IMM 5707 family information form?

No. If you apply online for a work permit (for example the Working Holiday work permit), the family information form (IMM 5707) does not need to be printed and signed, even if it says “Signature” at the bottom of the form. You only need to fill it out, save it on your computer and upload it into the spot in the application. That’s it. 

Don’t worry, at the end of the online application everything is signed and transmitted electronically. 

It will not impact the application if you didn’t know this and printed and filled the form out manually. No worries. 

Very important! If a form or document is requested after an application was submitted, IRCC will provide an open spot in the GCKey account to upload it.

>> HERE << is the very important instruction on how to upload and submit it. After submitting the document, the status of that document must show “replacement provided”. 

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