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Express Entry PR Application - Document Checklist 2025–2026

After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 60 days to submit a complete PR application. This checklist covers every document IRCC requires - missing or incorrect documents are the most common reason for refusals and delays.

Mandatory

If Applicable

Recommended

6 months (after ITA)

Processing Time

$1,325 CAD

Gov. Fee (from)

Legend:MandatoryIf ApplicableRecommended

1Identity & Travel Documents

Valid passport (all pages - current and expired)Mandatory

Must be valid for your expected PR landing date. Include ALL pages including blank pages.

National ID card (if passport is a different nationality)If Applicable

Birth certificateMandatory

Official document from your country of birth with translation if not in English or French

Marriage certificateIf Applicable

Required if sponsoring a spouse. Must be translated and notarized if not in English/French.

Divorce decree / death certificate of previous spouseIf Applicable

Adoption certificateIf Applicable

Required for adopted children included in application

2Language Test Results

Primary language test results - IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, TEF, or TCFMandatory

Must be from an approved testing organization. Results must be less than 2 years old at time of application.

Second official language test results (if claiming bilingual points)If Applicable

3Education & Credentials

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)Mandatory

Must be from a IRCC-designated organization (WES, IQAS, ICES, etc.). Required for degrees obtained outside Canada.

Degree/diploma certificates and transcriptsMandatory

For each credential claimed. Official transcripts from each institution.

Canadian degree/diploma (if applicable)If Applicable

ECA not required for Canadian credentials - use official transcripts directly

4Work Experience

Employment reference lettersMandatory

One per employer. Must be on company letterhead, signed, with: job title, dates of employment, hours/week, salary, duties listed in detail.

Pay stubs (3–6 months for each position)Recommended

T4 slips or tax returns (Canadian employment)Recommended

Employment contractsRecommended

Business registration (if self-employed)If Applicable

Proof of self-employment and income

NOC job duties letter confirmationMandatory

Reference letter must explicitly list duties that match your NOC code description

5Proof of Funds

Bank statements (3–6 months)Mandatory

All accounts combined must meet IRCC settlement fund minimums

IRCC settlement funds letter from bankMandatory

Official bank letter confirming current balance. Not required if you have a valid job offer in Canada.

Investment/asset statementsIf Applicable

GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) documentationIf Applicable

6Police Clearance Certificates

Police clearance certificate from country of citizenshipMandatory

Must be less than 6 months old at time of submission

Police clearance certificate from each country lived 6+ months since age 18Mandatory

Canadian RCMP clearance (if lived in Canada)If Applicable

7Medical Examination

Upfront medical exam from IRCC-approved Panel PhysicianMandatory

Book with an IRCC-designated Panel Physician. Valid for 12 months.

Medical exam results uploaded to IRCC portal by physicianMandatory

Results go directly from physician to IRCC - you do not need to submit them separately

Vaccination recordsIf Applicable

8Job Offer (if applicable)

Valid job offer letter from Canadian employerIf Applicable

Required only if claiming job offer CRS points (+50 or +200 pts). Must meet NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 requirements.

LMIA approval letter from ESDCIf Applicable

Required for job offer bonus points unless LMIA-exempt category

9Provincial Nomination (if applicable)

Provincial Nomination Certificate (PNC)If Applicable

Issued by the province. Upload to Express Entry profile to receive +600 CRS points and an ITA.

💡 RCIC Pro Tips

1.You have exactly 60 days from your ITA date to submit - do not wait until day 59. Start gathering documents the day you receive your ITA.
2.Employment reference letters are the most common reason for application delays or refusals. Each letter MUST list specific job duties that match your NOC code description.
3.Get your medical exam done within the first 2 weeks of receiving your ITA - physician results can take 5–10 days to process.
4.Police clearance certificates must be less than 6 months old at time of submission - request them early as some countries take 4–8 weeks.
5.Proof of funds is NOT required if you have a valid LMIA-backed Canadian job offer or are a current authorized worker in Canada.
6.All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation AND the original document.
7.Upload clear, legible scans - blurry or cut-off documents will trigger an IRCC request for resubmission, delaying your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss a document in my Express Entry application?

IRCC may issue a procedural fairness letter requesting the missing document, which extends your processing time. In some cases, a missing document can result in a refusal. A licensed RCIC reviews every application before submission to catch missing documents.

Does my spouse/partner need to provide all documents too?

Yes. If your spouse or common-law partner is included in your Express Entry application, they must provide their own passport, language test results (if claiming points for them), police clearances, and medical exam.

How do I get an employment reference letter if my employer is overseas?

Request a letter on company letterhead from your HR department or direct manager. It must include: your name, job title, dates of employment, salary, hours per week, and a detailed description of duties. If your employer refuses to provide one, alternatives like pay stubs, T4s, and contracts may help - discuss this with your RCIC.

Learn more about Express Entry →View IRCC Processing Times →

This checklist was prepared by licensed RCICs at VMC Immigration Services and is updated regularly. It is for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements at ircc.canada.ca. Individual circumstances vary - consult a licensed RCIC for advice specific to your case.

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1Identity & Travel Documents

Valid passport (all pages - current and expired)Mandatory

Must be valid for your expected PR landing date. Include ALL pages including blank pages.

National ID card (if passport is a different nationality)If Applicable

Birth certificateMandatory

Official document from your country of birth with translation if not in English or French

Marriage certificateIf Applicable

Required if sponsoring a spouse. Must be translated and notarized if not in English/French.

Divorce decree / death certificate of previous spouseIf Applicable

Adoption certificateIf Applicable

Required for adopted children included in application

3Education & Credentials

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)Mandatory

Must be from a IRCC-designated organization (WES, IQAS, ICES, etc.). Required for degrees obtained outside Canada.

Degree/diploma certificates and transcriptsMandatory

For each credential claimed. Official transcripts from each institution.

Canadian degree/diploma (if applicable)If Applicable

ECA not required for Canadian credentials - use official transcripts directly

4Work Experience

Employment reference lettersMandatory

One per employer. Must be on company letterhead, signed, with: job title, dates of employment, hours/week, salary, duties listed in detail.

Pay stubs (3–6 months for each position)Recommended

T4 slips or tax returns (Canadian employment)Recommended

Employment contractsRecommended

Business registration (if self-employed)If Applicable

Proof of self-employment and income

NOC job duties letter confirmationMandatory

Reference letter must explicitly list duties that match your NOC code description

5Proof of Funds

Bank statements (3–6 months)Mandatory

All accounts combined must meet IRCC settlement fund minimums

IRCC settlement funds letter from bankMandatory

Official bank letter confirming current balance. Not required if you have a valid job offer in Canada.

Investment/asset statementsIf Applicable

GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) documentationIf Applicable

7Medical Examination

Upfront medical exam from IRCC-approved Panel PhysicianMandatory

Book with an IRCC-designated Panel Physician. Valid for 12 months.

Medical exam results uploaded to IRCC portal by physicianMandatory

Results go directly from physician to IRCC - you do not need to submit them separately

Vaccination recordsIf Applicable

💡 RCIC Pro Tips

1.You have exactly 60 days from your ITA date to submit - do not wait until day 59. Start gathering documents the day you receive your ITA.

2.Employment reference letters are the most common reason for application delays or refusals. Each letter MUST list specific job duties that match your NOC code description.

3.Get your medical exam done within the first 2 weeks of receiving your ITA - physician results can take 5–10 days to process.

4.Police clearance certificates must be less than 6 months old at time of submission - request them early as some countries take 4–8 weeks.

5.Proof of funds is NOT required if you have a valid LMIA-backed Canadian job offer or are a current authorized worker in Canada.

6.All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation AND the original document.

7.Upload clear, legible scans - blurry or cut-off documents will trigger an IRCC request for resubmission, delaying your application.

Frequently Asked Questions