DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
The following list is not exhaustive, but for the majority of applications, it includes most of the documents required to process an application
Identity and civil status documents
- Birth, marriage, final divorce, annulment or separation certificates for you and your spouse or common-law partner;
- Death certificate for former spouse if applicable;
- Photocopy of citizenship certificate or permanent resident visa (formerly called “immigrant visa”) for any family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
Children’s information (if applicable)
- Children’s birth certificates (which name their parents);
- Adoption papers for adopted dependent children;
- Proof of custody for children under the age of 18 and proof that the children may be removed from the jurisdiction of the court;
- If the children will not accompany you to Canada, proof that you have fulfilled any obligation stated in custody agreements;
- Proof of continuous full-time studies of all dependent children aged 22 or over, including:
- complete school records/transcripts since attaining age 22
- letters from the schools indicating the number of hours of classes attended per day, and the number of days attended per week
- proof of full financial support by parents since reaching age 22
Travel documents and passports
Passports or travel documents for you, your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children. Include all the pages even the blank ones.
If you live in a country different from your nationality, include a photocopy of your visa for the country where you currently live. Note that all prospective immigrants must hold a valid regular passport; diplomatic, official, service or public affairs passports are not valid for immigration to Canada.
Proof of relationship in Canada (if applicable)
Proof of relationship to any close relative in Canada, such as birth, marriage or adoption certificates and proof of that person’s status in Canada; photocopy of the Record of Landing (IMM 1000) of your parent or proof of Canadian citizenship such as photocopy of pages of a Canadian passport or Canadian citizenship card.
Education/Training/Qualifications (For you and your spouse or common-law partner)
- Post-secondary education documents: vocational or technical certificates or diplomas;
- College or university documents: certification of completion and the graduation degree, diploma, or certificate issued by the college or university and the evaluation committee;
- Transcripts: original transcripts of all degrees must be submitted in university-sealed envelopes;
- Professional qualifications certificates: notarized professional qualification certificates should be submitted if available. (e.g.. Engineer, Computer Programmer, Accountant, Economist, Translator/Interpreter, Architect etc.)
Work Experience (For you and your spouse or common-law partner)
- notarized employment contracts from your present and past employers, accompanied by an English or French translation;
- Original and up-to-date letters of reference from your past and current employers.
- Letters must be written on company letterhead and show the company’s full address, telephone and fax numbers, and be stamped with the company’s official seal.
Letters must include all of the following information:
the specific period of your employment with the company
the positions you have held during the period of employment and the time spent in each position
your main responsibilities in each position
your total annual salary plus benefits
the signature of your immediate supervisor or the personnel officer of the company
a business card of the person signing
If you cannot provide a reference from your current employer, provide a written explanation.
Proof of language proficiency
Test results from an approved language-testing organization
Original copy of test results if you are claiming proficiency in a language that is not your native language. Language test results must not be older than one year upon submission.
Arranged employment (if applicable)
If you are currently working in Canada under a work permit, provide a photocopy of the permit.
Non-accompanying family member declaration (if applicable)
If you have a spouse, common-law partner or dependent children and you do not intend to include them in your application for permanent residence, submit with your application a notarized statutory declaration stating your intention to proceed to Canada without your family members, and confirming that you understand that your family members must meet immigration requirements in their own right if they wish to join you in Canada.
Settlement of funds
Provide proof of unencumbered and readily transferable funds in a convertible currency available for settlement in Canada (for you and your family members):
- Current bank certification letter; or
- Evidence of savings balance; or
- Fixed or time deposit statements.
Police Certificates and clearances
Original police certificates of good conduct or clearances, from each country/state/territory in which you and everyone in your family aged 18 years or over have lived for six months or longer since reaching the age of 18;
Submit original fingerprints directly to the authorities conducting the police checks.
Photo requirements
8 specified photos (with name and date of birth on the back for each applicant) for each member of your family and yourself.