Embarking on the journey to become a permanent resident of Canada requires meticulous preparation and attention to detail. Whether you’re applying through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), or other immigration pathways, having a comprehensive checklist of requirements is crucial for a successful application.
Canada’s immigration system welcomes thousands of new permanent residents each year through various streams, with Express Entry and Provincial Nomination being the most popular. The Express Entry system manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class, using a points-based selection system. Provincial Nominee Programs, meanwhile, allow provinces and territories to select immigrants who meet their specific regional economic needs.
This comprehensive checklist outlines all essential requirements for your Canadian permanent residency application. From eligibility criteria and document preparation to application submission and post-application considerations, we’ve compiled everything you need to ensure your application is complete, accurate, and positioned for success.
Essential Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Eligibility
To qualify for Express Entry, you must meet the criteria for at least one of these programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Minimum 1 year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience within the past 10 years
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all language abilities
- Education credential assessment for those educated outside Canada
- Minimum 67 points out of 100 on the FSW points grid
- Sufficient settlement funds (unless you have a valid Canadian job offer)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the past 5 years
- Meet job requirements for that skilled trade as specified by the National Occupational Classification
- Valid job offer for at least 1 year or certificate of qualification in your skilled trade
- Minimum language level of CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing
- Canadian Experience Class
- Minimum 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada within the past 3 years
- Language ability of CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs, or CLB 5 for NOC B jobs
Provincial Nominee Program Eligibility
Requirements vary by province and program stream, but generally include:
- Work experience relevant to the provincial economy
- Education credentials
- Language proficiency
- Intention to reside in the nominating province
- Sufficient settlement funds
Document Checklist by Category
Personal Identification Documents
- Valid passport or travel document (valid for the duration of the application process)
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
- National identity document (if applicable in your country)
- Photos meeting IRCC specifications (50mm x 70mm, taken within the past 12 months)
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (if in a common-law relationship)
- Divorce or separation certificates (if previously married)
- Death certificate of former spouse (if widowed)
- Adoption certificates (for adopted dependent children)
Education and Work Experience Documents
- Educational credentials (degrees, diplomas, certificates)
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign credentials
- Reference letters from employers containing:
- Company letterhead with contact information
- Supervisor’s name, title, and signature
- Your job title, duties, and responsibilities
- Employment dates
- Hours worked per week
- Salary information
- Employment contracts
- Pay stubs or tax documents confirming employment
- Detailed resume/CV with chronological work history
Language Proficiency Documents
- Official language test results (must be less than 2 years old):
- IELTS or CELPIP for English
- TEF or TCF for French
- Test results must show scores for all abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
Financial Documents
- Bank statements for the past 6 months
- Investment statements
- Letter from financial institution confirming available funds
- Proof of settlement funds based on family size:
Fund Requirements by Family Size (Updated June 3, 2024)
- 1 family member: $14,690
- 2 family members: $18,288
- 3 family members: $22,483
- 4 family members: $27,297
- 5 family members: $30,690
- 6 family members: $34,917
- 7 family members: $38,875
- For each additional family member: Add $3,958
Health and Security Documents
- Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Police certificates from:
- Country of current residence if you’ve lived there for 6+ months
- Country where you’ve spent most of your time since age 18
- Any country where you’ve lived for 6+ months since age 18
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
Essential Express Entry Documents
- Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code
- Keep these codes secure as they’re required for account access and verification
- These are provided after creating your Express Entry profile
- Invitation to Apply (ITA) Letter
- This official invitation is issued if you’re selected from the Express Entry pool
- Contains important deadlines and application instructions
- Required to proceed with your permanent residence application
- Provincial Nomination Certificate (if applicable)
- Provides additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
- Must be obtained directly from the nominating province or territory
- Include the nomination reference number in your application
- Job Offer Letter and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- A valid job offer must come from an eligible Canadian employer
- LMIA confirms no Canadian workers are available for the position
- Both documents must be current at the time of application
Additional Supporting Documents
Beyond the core Express Entry documents (profile number, ITA letter, provincial nomination, job offer), you’ll need these additional supporting documents for your permanent residence application:
Passport or Travel Document
- Must be valid throughout the application process
- If expiring within 6 months of application, renewal is recommended
- Special procedures may apply for Venezuelan passport holders
- All pages with stamps, visas, or markings must be included
Language Test Results
- Must be from designated testing organizations (IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French)
- Test results must be less than 2 years old at time of application
- Original score reports required for all language abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
Educational Credentials
- Canadian credentials: diplomas, degrees, certificates with transcripts
- Foreign credentials: Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from approved organization
- ECA must be less than 5 years old at time of application
- Required for Federal Skilled Workers Program and for claiming foreign education points
Proof of Work Experience
- Reference letters from previous employers on company letterhead
- Must include job title, duties, dates of employment, and hours worked per week
- Pay stubs, tax documents, employment contracts as supporting evidence
- Work experience must meet NOC skill type/level requirements for your program
Proof of Funds
- Official bank statements or letters showing sufficient settlement funds
- Must meet minimum amounts based on family size
- Funds must be readily available and transferable to Canada
- Not required if you have valid job offer or are already authorized to work in Canada
Police Certificates
- Required from countries where you’ve lived for 6+ months since age 18
- Must cover your entire period of residence in each country
- Some certificates expire after specific periods and may need renewal
These supporting documents, combined with program-specific requirements, form your complete permanent residence application package. Documents not in English or French must be accompanied by certified translations.
Provincial Nomination Documents
- Official document issued by the provincial or territorial government
- Contains your unique nomination number and nomination date
- Verifies you have been officially selected by a province/territory
- Valid for a specific period (typically 6 months to 1 year)
- Required for claiming 600 additional CRS points in Express Entry
- Must be included in your permanent residence application
Nomination Confirmation Letter
- Formal correspondence from the provincial immigration office
- Confirms your successful nomination under a specific provincial stream
- Contains important details about your nomination category
- Specifies any conditions attached to your nomination
- May include instructions for next steps in your immigration process
- Often indicates the validity period of your nomination
Supporting Documents Specific to Provincial Program Stream
- Documentation proving eligibility for your specific provincial stream
- Evidence of connection to the province (past work, study, family ties)
- Proof of skills or experience relevant to provincial labor market needs
- Documentation of settlement plans within the province
- Industry-specific credentials or licenses (if applicable)
- Language proficiency proof meeting provincial requirements
Provincial Nomination Process Documents
Express Entry Provincial Nomination
- Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code
- Proof of Express Entry profile creation and eligibility
- Copy of provincial stream application
- Provincial nomination acknowledgment in your Express Entry profile
Direct Provincial Nomination (Non-Express Entry)
- Provincial application confirmation
- Provincial application ID number
- Proof of application fee payment
- Correspondence with provincial immigration office
Additional Required Documents
Identity Verification
- Valid passport or travel document
- Provincial nomination application forms
- Photos meeting provincial specifications
Employment Documentation
- Job offer letter from employer in the nominating province (if applicable)
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or exemption proof
- Provincial employer designation confirmation (for employer-driven streams)
- Employment verification letters
Background Checks
- Police certificates from all required jurisdictions
- Medical examination results
- Security clearances (if applicable)
Translation Requirements
- Professional translations of all documents not in English or French
- Translator affidavit or certification
- Original documents and translated versions must be submitted together
Application Forms
For Express Entry Applications:
- Forms will be specified in your personalized document checklist after receiving an ITA
For Non-Express Entry PNP Applications:
- Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669]
- Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]
- Supplementary Information – Your Travels [IMM 5562]
- Schedule 4: Economic Classes – Provincial Nominee [IMM 0008 – Schedule 4]
- Schedule 4A: Economic Classes: Provincial Nominees – Business Nominees [IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 4A] (if applicable)
Application Process Requirements
Express Entry Application Timeline
- Create and submit Express Entry profile
- Enter personal information, education, work experience, language test results
- Receive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score
- Wait for Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- After receiving ITA (60-day deadline)
- Complete online application forms
- Upload all required documents
- Pay application fees
- Submit a complete application
- Post-submission requirements
- Provide biometrics (within 30 days of receiving instruction)
- Complete medical examination (if not done previously)
- Respond to any requests for additional information
Provincial Nominee Application Timeline
- Apply to the provincial program
- Complete provincial application forms
- Submit the required documents to the province
- Pay provincial application fees
- After receiving a nomination
- For Express Entry-linked PNPs: Update Express Entry profile with nomination
- For paper-based PNPs: Submit paper application to IRCC
- After submitting a federal application
- Follow the same post-submission requirements as Express Entry
Post-Application Requirements
While Your Application is Processing
- Keep all identification documents valid
- Inform IRCC of any changes to:
- Contact information
- Family composition
- Criminal or medical status
- Provincial nomination status
- Respond promptly to any requests for additional information
- Check application status regularly through your online account
If Your Application is Approved
- Verify information on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
- Ensure your passport remains valid
- Enter Canada before your COPR and visa expire
- Complete the landing process upon arrival in Canada
- Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Apply for provincial health coverage
- Update your address with IRCC after settling in Canada
Common Application Pitfalls to Avoid
- Incomplete documentation: Missing or improperly formatted documents
- Inaccurate information: Discrepancies between application forms and supporting documents
- Missing translation: Non-English/French documents without certified translations
- Expired documents: Language test results older than 2 years or expired passports
- Insufficient funds proof: Inadequate evidence of settlement funds
- Missing medical examinations: Not completing required medical tests
- Misrepresentation: Providing false information or omitting relevant facts
- Missed deadlines: Not responding to IRCC requests within specified timeframes
- Poor quality scans: Illegible or low-resolution document copies
- Ignoring eligibility criteria: Applying without meeting minimum requirements
Special Requirements Checklist
For Applicants with Criminal History
- Criminal rehabilitation application (if applicable)
- Record suspension documentation
- Court documents and disposition records
- Letter of explanation detailing circumstances
For Medical Considerations
- Additional medical tests as requested
- Medical opinion letters from specialists
- Treatment plans for existing conditions
- Mitigation plan for any condition that might cause “excessive demand”
For Using Representatives
- Use of a Representative form [IMM 5476]
- Representative’s membership ID with the regulatory body
- Disclosure of any fees paid to the representative
Conclusion
Applying for Canadian permanent residency requires meeting numerous requirements and submitting extensive documentation. This comprehensive checklist covers the essential requirements for successful applications through both Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.
Remember that immigration policies and requirements can change, so always verify the most current information on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Being methodical in your preparation, gathering all required documents, and carefully following application instructions will maximize your chances of success.
By using this checklist to ensure you meet all requirements before submitting your application, you’ll be well-positioned for a smooth journey to becoming a permanent resident of Canada.
