Getting your documents ready ahead of time can make a big difference when applying for Canadian permanent residence through the upcoming new temporary resident to permanent resident (TR to PR) pathway.
When the first TR to PR pathway opened in 2021, it reached its application limit on the same day. Many people missed their chance simply because they did not have the required documents ready. For example, some applicants did not have valid language test results from an approved testing organization and could not submit a complete application in time.
Police certificates can also take several weeks or even months to receive. For this reason, having them ready in advance is another important step. Scanning your documents clearly, labeling them properly, and saving them in an organized folder can also help you apply faster.
In the recent Immigration Levels Plan, the Canadian government announced a special one-time measure. This measure will allow 33,000 temporary residents to become permanent residents in 2026 and 2027 through this new pathway.
Today, we will discuss the list of documents to prepare for Canada’s new TR to PR pathway. Having these ready will help you apply on time when the new TR to PR pathway opens.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Documents To Get Ready
| Document Type | Supporting Document(s) |
| Proof of language proficiency | Language test results |
| Proof of criminal background check(s) | Police certificates |
| Proof of education | – Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs), for foreign degrees- Transcripts, for Canadian degrees |
| Travel history | – Travel log- Airline booking confirmation- Passports |
| Support of employment | – Complete employment history- Reference letter(s) from employers- T4s (for work in Canada)- Copies of employment contracts |
| Proof of current employment in Canada | – Work permit- Employer reference letter- Pay stubs- Employment contract |
| Documentation of organizational affiliations | – List of organizations you’ve donated to and/or volunteered with- Reference letter(s)Receipts for donations |
| Identity documents | – Passport- Birth certificate- Marriage documents- Adoption documents |
| Translations | – Certified translation(s) (for documents not in English or French)- Translator affidavit (if not a certified translator) |
For People Applying From Inside Canada
| Document Type | Supporting Document(s) |
| Proof of status in Canada | – Valid temporary status document (work permit, study permit, visitor record)- Entry stamp, or electronic entry record- Evidence of maintained status (if applicable) |
Documents Needed For Family Members
| Document Type | Supporting Document(s) |
| Identity documents | – Passports- Birth certificates- Marriage documents- Civil status documents |
| Travel history | – Travel logs- Airline booking confirmations- Passports |
| Proof of criminal background check(s) | Police certificates |
Documents For Special Cases Only
| Document Type | Supporting Document(s) |
| Letter(s) of explanation | Letter(s) explaining any discrepancies or potential oddities, such as gaps in address, gaps in employment, missing documents |
| Proof of common-law relationship | Proof of address, joint leases, bills, bank accounts, credit cards. |
| Name change certificates | N/A |
Proof Of Language Proficiency
Finishing your language test early is one of the best ways to avoid missing your chance to apply. Many people lost their opportunity in 2021 because they did not have valid test results on the day the pathway opened.
Language testing helps Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) check that applicants meet the minimum English or French requirements.
Your results must be from an IRCC-approved test provider and must still be valid on the day you apply. For economic immigration programs such as Express Entry, the accepted tests are:
- CELPIP-General
- IELTS General Training
- PTE Core
- TEF Canada
- TCF Canada
Language test results are valid for two years. If your results expire before you apply, you must take the test again.
Police Certificates (Criminal Background Checks)
One of the documents to prepare for Canada’s new TR or PR pathway is police certificates.
IRCC uses police certificates to check whether you or any family member (18 years and older) has any past criminal issues that could make them inadmissible to Canada.
To apply for permanent residence, you must provide police certificates for:
- your current country of residence
- every country where you lived for six months or longer in a row during the last 10 years
You do not need certificates for time spent in Canada or for time before age 18.
For your current country of residence, the certificate must be issued not more than six months before you apply. For countries you no longer live in, the certificate must be issued after your last stay of six months or more.
The process for obtaining a police certificate differs from country to country. You can check IRCC’s instructions on the “How to get a police certificate” page.
Some countries do not call the document a “police certificate,” but IRCC will usually indicate the correct name.
Proof Of Education
Some immigration programs have education requirements. To show you meet them, you may need to provide documents proving your education.
For foreign education, you will likely need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC-approved organization. An ECA confirms what your foreign degree is equal to in Canada.
ECAs remain valid for five years.
For Canadian education, an ECA is not required. Instead, you can provide:
- transcripts
- proof of graduation
These documents help IRCC assess whether you meet the specific education requirements of your chosen program.
Travel History
When applying for permanent residence, you must list all travel outside your home country for the past 10 years or since age 18 (whichever is shorter). This is done using form IMM 5562 – Supplementary Information: Your Travels.
IRCC officers use your travel history to match it with the countries listed in your background checks. This helps them confirm that all information is accurate.
If you have not kept a detailed travel record, it is a good idea to start preparing one now. It can help ensure your application is accurate and complete.
Support Of Employment
Most permanent residence pathways require applicants to show a certain type and length of work experience. IRCC relies heavily on employer documents to verify your work.
These documents may include:
- reference letters
- T4 slips or Notices of Assessment (for work in Canada)
- employment contracts
- pay stubs
A reference letter should describe your job title, duties, hours worked, dates of employment, workplace location, and salary. IRCC uses these details to confirm that your job matches the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code you claim.
Because these letters can take time to request from employers, it is smart to start gathering them early.
Proof Of Current Employment In Canada
If the TR to PR pathway requires applicants to be working in Canada at the time of applying, IRCC will check this using:
- your valid work permit
- an employer reference letter listing required job details
- recent pay stubs
- your employment contract
This information confirms you are currently employed and meet the program’s conditions.
Documentation Of Organizational Affiliations
Apart from the documents to prepare for Canada’s new TR or PR pathway, let us look at the documentation of organization affiliations.
The Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) form requires applicants to list:
- organizations you have been part of
- volunteer work
- charities you have donated to
- memberships and associations
This includes both official and unofficial involvement. You must also give a complete personal history with no gaps. This part of the application includes your entire lifetime, not just the last 10 years.
Preparing this information early helps avoid delays later.
Passports
The biographical page(s) of your passport are used to verify your identity, i.e., name, date of birth, place of birth, photo, document number, and validity to issue your COPR/PR visa if applicable.
Moreover, your passport is needed for identity verification. IRCC usually requires copies of all pages of your passport.
You should also make sure your passport will not expire while your application is being processed. If it is close to expiring, renew it before applying.
Identity And Civil Status Documents
These documents confirm who you are and which family members should be included in your application.
Examples include:
- birth certificates
- marriage documents
- adoption records
- name change documents
You must declare all close family members even if they are not accompanying you to Canada.
Translations
IRCC only accepts documents in English or French. If your documents are in another language, you must include:
- a certified translation
- a translation with a sworn translator affidavit
- a copy of the original document
Family members cannot translate documents for you.
For People Applying From Inside Canada
Proof Of Status In Canada
If you are applying for immigration from inside Canada, you must show that you have valid temporary status or that you applied to extend your status before it expired.
If you applied for an extension before your permit expired, you may have maintained status, which allows you to stay in Canada under the same conditions until IRCC makes a decision.
Proof can include:
- a copy of your current work permit
- proof that you applied for an extension
- confirmation that IRCC received your application
Documents For Accompanying Family Members
You will need to provide several documents for your spouse or partner and dependent children, whether or not they are coming with you to Canada. These include:
- Identity Documents:
Include copies of all passport pages and any other documents that show identity or family status for your spouse/partner and dependent children.
- Travel History:
You may need to list all trips taken by your spouse/partner and any dependent children aged 18 or older on the IMM 5562 form.
- Police Certificates:
Each family member, whether they are coming with you or not, must provide police certificates for every country where they lived for six months or more after turning 18.
Documents Required In Specific Situations Only
Letter(s) Of Explanation (LOE)
An LOE helps explain anything unusual in your application, such as:
- gaps in employment
- missing documents
- different spellings of your name
- country-specific issues
If you cannot get a required document, you must explain why and show proof that you tried your best to get it.
Proof Of Common-Law Relationship
If you declare a common-law partner, IRCC needs:
- form IMM 5409
- proof of living together for 12 months (lease, bills, joint accounts)
Name Change Certificates
If you or your family members changed your names, include the certificate.
Tips For Preparation
Scan And Label In Advance:
Make clear, easy-to-read scans of all your documents. Label each file using this format: type_lastname_firstname_YYYY-MM-DD (for example, PoliceCertificate_Jane_Doe_2025-06-01.pdf).
Watch Validity Dates:
Language test results must be less than two years old on the day you apply. ECAs stay valid for five years. Police certificates must also be timed correctly, i.e., your current country’s certificate must be issued within six months before you apply. Make sure your passport will not expire soon.
Employer Letters:
Make sure your employer letters include all the details IRCC asks for, i.e., location, job dates, duties, salary/benefits, hours, and contact information. Moreover, add pay stubs, T4s, NOAs, or contracts if you have them. Job duties must also be written by your employer and match what you actually did. Make sure you do not copy directly from the NOC.
Translations:
Follow IRCC’s translation rules carefully. Use a certified translator, or provide a translator’s affidavit if they are not certified, along with the original document. Family members cannot translate your documents.
Explain Gaps Or Missing Documents:
If you truly cannot get a required document, include a Letter of Explanation (LOE) with proof that you tried your best to get it.
Double-Check Your Documents:
Before submitting your application, make sure every required document is included, not expired, and clearly scanned. Confirm that you uploaded the correct files and that no passport pages are missing.
Preparing your documents early can make the PR process much smoother and increase your chances of submitting your application on time, especially if the program has a short opening window or reaches its limit quickly.
Explore your pathway to move to Canada with Immigtoronto. Our team of skilled RCICs offers customized immigration solutions, ensuring a trustworthy and professional process. Contact us at [email protected].
