What is required to be included on a complete Express Entry for permanent residence application

Express EntryThe Canadian application management system is used for three immigration programs. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP); Canadian Experience Class(CEC); Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

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Candidates who have determined that they are eligible for Express Entry must first express their interest to the Canadian government in obtaining Canadian resident status.

After a candidate submits a profile online, the federal government determines whether they are eligible for an Express Entry program.

Candidates who are eligible are accepted into the Express Entry Pool and are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS is a points-based system used by the government to assess and rank candidates in the pool of applications and is calculated based on a candidate’s age, education, work experience, language skills, as well as other factors.

After an applicant has determined that they are eligible to apply for Express Entry, have met all the requirements of the program, and entered the pool of applicants, they will be required to provide various supporting documents.

What are the documents required for all applicants?

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaIn most cases, to obtain a visa from the Immigration and Refugee Council (IRCC), the principal applicant must provide the following documents.

Medical examination

A medical examination confirmation is required to determine the health of the applicant, their family members and the applicants.

From October 1, 2023 onwards, you no longer need to submit a medical exam when submitting your application for Express Entry. Applicants are asked to wait to hear from IRCC about when an examination will be required.

Police certificates

The applicant must provide a police certificate to prove that he or she has no criminal history. Police certificates from every country where the applicant spent 6 months or longer in a row during the last 10 year are required. It is not needed for any period of time before the age 18.

IRCC specifies that police certificates must be a scan in colour of the original police certificate. Certified true copies or unauthorized copies will not be accepted.

Proof of Identity

Applicants must provide a copy of the biographical data page of a passport or travel document to confirm the applicant’s identity.

Proof of work experience

To verify that the applicant is eligible for the program, it is necessary to provide proof of their work experience.

The personalized document checklist in applicants’ online account prompts the applicant with an upload field for each work experience declared. IRCC specifies which documents are required for each work history declared:

• A reference or experience letter from the employer, which should be an official document printed on company letterhead (must include the applicant’s name, the company’s contact information [address, telephone number and email address]The name, title, and signature of your immediate supervisor, or personnel officer, at the company).
• It should include all positions held at the company. Include the following information: job title, duties, responsibilities, current status (if applicable), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and annual salary and benefits.
• If the applicant is a self-employed worker, proof of self employment income, and documentation from third parties indicating the services provided with payment details are required.

What other documents might be required?

According to IRCC the following documents, if applicable, are mandatory. Based on the personal circumstances and dependents of the applicant:

• Copy of birth certificate or other equivalent document, to prove the dependent children’s relationship to the parents. This is required only if you identify dependent children.
• Proof of studies is needed to validate education claims and verify that the applicant meets program requirements
• Provincial or territorial certificate of qualification to validate an applicant’s claim of having a provincial or territorial certificate of qualification
• Letter of offer from the employer to prove an applicant’s qualifying offer of arranged employment and to make sure the applicant meets program requirements and to screen for concerns of fraud
• Proof of income is required to confirm that the applicant meets LICO.
• Use of a Representative Form [IMM 5476]When appointing someone to represent the applicant and family members in business
• Validate marital status with a marriage certificate or proof of common-law union or cohabitation
• Divorce certificates and legal separation agreements
• Death certificates are used to verify the death of a spouse, common-law partner or other family member.
• Adoption certificate is used to verify claims that a child who is dependent on you has been adopted
• If you do not provide any of these documents, your application will be considered incomplete.

Documentation tips

Documentation should be collected as soon as possible. Once an applicant has been invited to apply for permanent residency, they only have 60 calendar days to complete the application.

The documents should be of good quality, easy to understand and correctly named. IRCC requires that all documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified English or French copy or an official translation.

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