Prepare these documents for when the new TR to PR pathway to permanent residence opens
Preparing the right documents ahead of time may make or break your shot at getting Canadian permanent residence through the upcoming new temporary to permanent residence pathway.
In 2021, when the initial TR to PR pathway launched, it hit its cap that same day. Foreign nationals who didn’t have the necessary documents handy—such as language test results from an approved provider—missed the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.
Police certificates can take months to obtain—so getting these in advance is a good idea, too, in addition to scanning and labelling copies of your ready-at-hand documents.
In the latest Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government announced a one-off measure to help 33,000 temporary residents transition to permanent residence during 2026 and 2027.
Here’s a list of documents to have prepared so you can maximize your chances of being able to apply on time once the new pathway opens:
Document typeSupporting document(s)
Proof of language proficiencyLanguage 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 in-Canada applicants:
Document typeSupporting 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 accompanying family members:
Document typeSupporting 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 required in specific situations only:
Document typeSupporting document(s)
Letter(s) of explanationLetter(s) explaining any discrepancies or potential oddities, such as gaps in address, gaps in employment, missing documents
Proof of common-law relationshipProof of address, joint leases, bills, bank accounts, credit cards.
Name change certificatesN/A
Proof of language proficiency
Getting your language tests completed in advance can help make sure you don’t miss your chance to apply for PR.
Language testing is how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada objectively verifies that applicants meet the minimum English and/or French levels set for their program.
Results must come from an IRCC-approved test provider and be valid on the day you apply for PR.
For economic PR (e.g., Express Entry), accepted tests are CELPIP‑General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
Language test results are valid for two years. If your test results expire before you apply for PR, you must retake the language test.
Police certificates (criminal background checks)
Police certificates can take months to obtain, so it can help to start early.
Police certificates are used to assess criminal inadmissibility.
For PR, IRCC requires certificates for you and all family members aged 18+ for every country in which each person lived six+ months in a row in the last 10 years.
No certificate is required for time spent in Canada or before age 18.
For your current country of residence, the certificate must be issued no more than six months before you submit your PR application; for countries you no longer live in, it must be issued after your last stay there of six+ months.
The process for requesting a police certificate varies depending on the jurisdiction. You can refer to IRCC’s “How to get a police certificate” page to look up countries in which you’ve lived.
Your jurisdiction may refer to this document by a term other than “police certificate.”
Proof of education
Some programs have education requirements, which require proof.
If you’re claiming foreign education, IRCC typically requires an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an approved provider for each foreign degree.
An ECA assesses the foreign credential and identifies the equivalent Canadian educational credential.
ECAs are valid for five years, after which they expire.
For Canadian education, you do not require an ECA: you can submit your final transcripts and proof of graduation.
Travel history
Applicants must list travel outside their country of origin/residence for the past 10 years (or since age 18) on IMM 5562 – “Supplementary Information: Your Travels.”
Officers will cross-reference the travel history with your police checks and background declarations.
If you don’t already have a detailed travel log, prepare one in advance to ensure you can complete the forms accurately.
Support of employment
Most streams require a certain amount and type of work experience for you to be eligible.
IRCC uses employer reference letters (and corroborating items like T4s/NOAs, work contracts, pay stubs) to verify what work you did, when, for how many hours, and your duties—all of which are needed to confirm eligibility (e.g., qualifying Canadian/foreign work experience) and to classify your experience under the correct NOC.
You should include your complete employment history and reference letters (plus T4s, contracts, pay stubs).
Proof of current employment in Canada
When a pathway requires you to be currently employed in Canada, IRCC verifies this with (1) your valid work permit and (2) an employer reference letter that includes location, dates, duties, salary/benefits, hours, and (3) recent pay stubs.
Documentation of organizational affiliations
The Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) form on your PR application requires you to declare memberships and associations (e.g., political, social, professional, student organizations) and to provide a complete personal history with no gaps.
This also includes volunteering (even if not an official member) and charitable donations or other financial support you’ve provided to such organizations.
If you don’t already have such a history, preparing this in advance can help you complete this form quickly and accurately.
Unlike many portions of the application, which are limited to the past 10 years, this section is a lifetime history.
Passports
The biographical page(s) of your passport are used to verify your identity (name, date of birth, place of birth, photo, document number, validity) and to issue your COPR/PR visa if applicable.
Typically, copies of all pages of your passport are required.
Ensure that you renew your passport in advance, so it does not expire while your application is being processed.
Identity and civil status documents
These documents establish your legal identity and family relationships (spouse/partner; dependent children), which determine who can be included in your application and which fees/assessments apply.
Examples include birth certificates, marriage documents, adoption documents, and name change documents.
You must declare your immediate family members on your application, even if they will not be accompanying you to Canada.
Translations
Canadian immigration officers will only assess documents in English or French.
If a document is in another language, you must submit a certified translation or a translation with a sworn affidavit from the translator, plus a scan of the original (or certified copy).
For applicants applying from inside Canada
Proof of status in Canada
When making an immigration application from within Canada, you must typically show that you have current, valid immigration status, or you must restore your status as part of your application.
If your work permit expired but you applied to extend before expiry, you may have maintained status, which allows you to remain in Canada and, if eligible, keep working under the same conditions while IRCC processes your extension.
Proof could include a copy of your initial work permit, a copy of the application you submitted for extension, and proof that IRCC received your application.
Documents for accompanying family members
Identity documents: Copies of all passport pages, and other identity or civil status documents for your spouse/partner and dependent children.
Travel history: You may need to list trips for your spouse/partner and dependent children 18+ on IMM 5562 as part of the application.
Police certificates: Each family member, whether accompanying or not, must submit police certificates from each foreign country in which they have lived for six months or longer since age 18.
Documents required in specific situations only
Letter(s) of explanation (LOE)
An LOE is used to clarify discrepancies or provide context (e.g., name spellings, gaps, country‑specific document issues).
You can address any gaps in your history (such as education or employment gaps), and discrepancies that could potentially result in misunderstandings, and an explanation for any missing required documents.
If you were unable to obtain any required documents, your LOE should include a written explanation of best efforts and proof of having done everything in your power to obtain the document(s).
Proof of common‑law relationship
If you list a common‑law partner, IRCC needs IMM 5409 (Statutory Declaration of Common‑Law Union) and evidence of cohabitation, such as joint bank account statements, a joint lease, or utility bills—to confirm that you satisfy the legal definition of “common‑law partner” (normally 12 months of continuous cohabitation).
You must declare a common-law partner on your application, even if they will not be accompanying you.
Name change certificate(s)
If you or any of your family members have had name changes, include name change certificates.
Tips for preparation
Scan and label in advance: Create clear, legible scans of each document and name by type_lastname_firstname_YYYY‑MM‑DD (e.g., PoliceCertificate_Jane_Doe_2025‑06‑01.pdf).
Mind validity windows: Language tests must be < 2 years old on the application date; ECAs used for immigration are valid five years; Time police certificates carefully (current‑country certificate must be issued ≤ six months before you apply). Ensure that your passport does not expire.
Employer letters: Use the IRCC‑specified content (location, dates, duties, salary/benefits, hours, contact info) and include pay stubs/T4s/NOAs where possible. For job responsibilities or duties, ensure that these are written by your employer and are specific to your position; do not simply copy and paste from the NOC.
Translations: Follow IRCC’s translation rules exactly (certified translation or translator affidavit + original/certified copy). Family members cannot act as translators.
Explain gaps/challenges: If a required document is truly unobtainable at submission, upload an LOE with proof of best efforts.
Double check/review all documents: Prior to submitting your application, ensure that all documents are included and up to date. Double check, for example, that no documents have aged out or expired, that all scans are of the correct document, no pages are missing in passport scans.
Taking the time to prepare your documents in advance can greatly accelerate the process of applying for PR, and will maximize your chances of being able to submit an application in time if there is a short application window and/or risk of the application cap having been reached.
