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When a Canadian sponsors a spouse, child or parent in the Philippines, the Manila visa office applies its own family class checklist. Most of it turns on PSA-authenticated civil records and the NBI clearance.
Written by NextMovePath editorial teamLast updated:
| Civil records | Birth, marriage and death certificates must be authenticated by the Philippine Statistics AuthoritySource: IRCC Manila visa office: Additional document checklist, family class (IMM 3025) |
|---|---|
| If not married | Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR)Source: IRCC Manila visa office: Additional document checklist, family class (IMM 3025) |
| Minors travelling without parents | DSWD travel clearance requiredSource: IRCC Manila visa office: Additional document checklist, family class (IMM 3025) |
| Passport validity | At least 18 months from the date of applicationSource: IRCC Manila visa office: Additional document checklist, family class (IMM 3025) |
A birth certificate for each person, an original marriage certificate if married, or a CENOMAR if not, plus divorce, annulment or death certificates where they apply. Philippine-issued birth, marriage and death certificates must be authenticated by the PSA. If the birth was registered late, add baptismal, school or voter records.
The Manila checklist asks you to include a notarized affidavit explaining any discrepancies in the civil status documents. If a name is spelled differently on your PSA birth certificate, passport and school records, explain it up front rather than waiting for the officer to ask.
Yes, in some cases. Children under 18 travelling alone, or with someone other than their biological or adoptive parents, must submit a Department of Social Welfare and Development travel clearance. Children also need birth certificates naming their parents and, where parents are separated, proof of custody.
An NBI clearance for each family member 18 or older, and police certificates from every other country where they lived six months or longer since 18. Filipinos who worked abroad as OFWs often need certificates from those countries too. Collect them early, because some countries are slow.
These are the grounds IRCC officers most often write in refusal letters for this kind of application. They are typical grounds, not statistics. Fix them before you apply, not after.
Tell us where you are in the process. A member of our team will tell you what is missing or weak in your Philippines application, before IRCC does.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and document lists change often. Confirm current requirements on canada.ca or with a licensed Canadian immigration representative (RCIC or lawyer) before you apply.