A control valve adapted to be applied to a variable valve timing control device configured to change an opening and closing timing of a valve which is provided at an internal combustion engine for an intake and exhaust of air, comprising: a spool formed with a fluid passage allowing a circulation of an operation fluid for switching a supply of the operation fluid to plural operation fluid supply portions (Ca, Cb, L); a cylindrical sleeve including plural supply and exhaust ports (40A, 40B, 40L) supplying and exhausting the operation fluid to and from the plural operation fluid supply portions (Ca, Cb, L) and plural drain ports (40DA, 40DB, 40DC) allowing the operation fluid returning from the plural operation fluid supply portions (Ca, Cb, L) to drain, the sleeve slidably accommodating the spool therein; a solenoid mechanism for changing a position of the spool relative to the sleeve; and a communication portion formed on an outer periphery surface of the sleeve, the communication portion connected to plural drain ports (40DA, 40DB, 40DC), characterized in that the control valve is adapted to be applied to a variable valve timing control device which includes a lock mechanism for fixing the opening and closing timing of the valve at an intermediate phase between a most advanced angle phase and a most retarded angle phase, the plural drain ports (40DA, 40DB, 40DC) include a first drain port allowing the operation fluid to drain when a relative phase is changed to a retarded angle phase, a second drain port allowing the operation fluid to drain when the relative phase is changed to an advanced angle phase, and a third drain port allowing the operation fluid to drain when the lock mechanism is unlocked; and the communication portion includes a first connection portion connecting the first drain port and the second drain port and a second connection portion connecting the second drain port and the third drain port, and a cross-sectional dimension of the first connection portion is greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the second connection portion.. a spool formed with a fluid passage allowing a circulation of an operation fluid for switching a supply of the operation fluid to plural operation fluid supply portions (Ca, Cb, L); a cylindrical sleeve including plural supply and exhaust ports (40A, 40B, 40L) supplying and exhausting the operation fluid to and from the plural operation fluid supply portions (Ca, Cb, L) and plural drain ports (40DA, 40DB, 40DC) allowing the operation fluid returning from the plural operation fluid supply portions (Ca, Cb, L) to drain, the sleeve slidably accommodating the spool therein; a solenoid mechanism for changing a position of the spool relative to the sleeve; and a communication portion formed on an outer periphery surface of the sleeve, the communication portion connected to plural drain ports (40DA, 40DB, 40DC), characterized in that the control valve is adapted to be applied to a variable valve timing control device which includes a lock mechanism for fixing the opening and closing timing of the valve at an intermediate phase between a most advanced angle phase and a most retarded angle phase, the plural drain ports (40DA, 40DB, 40DC) include a first drain port allowing the operation fluid to drain when a relative phase is changed to a retarded angle phase, a second drain port allowing the operation fluid to drain when the relative phase is changed to an advanced angle phase, and a third drain port allowing the operation fluid to drain when the lock mechanism is unlocked; and the communication portion includes a first connection portion connecting the first drain port and the second drain port and a second connection portion connecting the second drain port and the third drain port, and a cross-sectional dimension of the first connection portion is greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the second connection portion..