IRCC Form IMM 0008 Schedule 2: Fillable PDF
Schedule 2: Refugees Outside Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Supplementary schedule to IMM 0008 for refugees applying for permanent residence from outside Canada.
Reviewed July 2026
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How it works
- 1
Download the form. Save the official PDF to your device.
- 2
Open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader and fill in each field. Browsers show a placeholder page for this form type.
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Save and submit the completed form following the official instructions.
Schedule 2 of Form IMM 0008, Refugees Outside Canada, is a supplementary form for people applying for permanent residence through Canada's refugee resettlement programs. It gives Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the story behind the application: why you left your country and why you cannot return.
Like the main IMM 0008, Schedule 2 is a dynamic XFA PDF that browsers can only display as a placeholder page. Download it from this page, save it to your computer, and complete it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on a desktop computer before adding it to your application package.
What is IMM 0008 Schedule 2 used for
Schedule 2 documents the refugee claim itself. While the generic IMM 0008 collects identity and family information, Schedule 2 asks applicants to explain the events that forced them from their home country, what they fear if returned, and what steps they have taken since leaving, such as registering with the UNHCR or seeking protection elsewhere.
Visa officers use this narrative, together with interviews and supporting documents, to decide whether the applicant meets the definition of a Convention refugee abroad or a member of the country of asylum class.
Who files IMM 0008 Schedule 2
Applicants seeking resettlement to Canada from outside both Canada and their country of origin complete Schedule 2 alongside the main IMM 0008.
- Government-assisted refugees referred by the UNHCR or another referral organization.
- Privately sponsored refugees whose Canadian sponsors are submitting a sponsorship undertaking.
- Principal applicants complete the schedule; adult family members may need to provide their own accounts where their circumstances differ, so follow the instructions in your kit.
- Refugee claimants already inside Canada do not use this schedule; their permanent residence applications use Schedule 12 instead.
How to fill out IMM 0008 Schedule 2
Open the downloaded form in Adobe Acrobat Reader, not a browser. Take time with the narrative sections; write plainly, in the first person, and in chronological order.
If the form includes a Validate button in your version, use it after your final edits so any generated barcode pages reflect your answers.
- Details of your departure: when and how you left your country of nationality or habitual residence.
- The basis of your fear: the events, threats, or persecution you experienced and who was responsible.
- What you believe would happen if you returned, and why state protection is not available to you.
- Steps taken since leaving: UNHCR registration, refugee status in another country, and any other attempts to find protection or resettlement.
Filing tips
Consistency is critical. Officers compare Schedule 2 with your interview answers, your referral documents, and the rest of your application, so dates and places should line up everywhere. IRCC forms are version-pinned, and you should confirm the current version of Schedule 2 on the official page before submitting.
- Answer every question; write not applicable rather than leaving fields blank.
- Attach continuation sheets if your account does not fit, and label them with the question number.
- Keep copies of everything you submit; the narrative may be referenced years later.
- Refugee cases are sensitive and fact-specific. If sponsors or applicants have questions, a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or refugee lawyer can help.
Frequently asked questions
Schedule 2 is distributed as a dynamic XFA PDF. Browsers show only a placeholder page, so save the file to your computer and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows or macOS.
No. Schedule 2 is a supplement to the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) and travels with the full resettlement application package.
Broadly, people outside their home country who fear persecution or have been seriously affected by conflict, and who fall within the Convention refugee abroad class or the country of asylum class. The visa officer makes that determination based on your application and interview.
Use additional sheets of paper, note the question number on each, sign or initial them if instructed, and include them with your package.
Resettled refugees are generally exempt from permanent residence processing fees, but rules vary by category, so confirm on the IRCC website or with your sponsorship organization.
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