What is a Complete Application?

After an applicant receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an Express Entry draw, they must submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) along with all supporting documents. Their application is then checked for completeness. This means, an applicant should submit the following things through their online account:

• The electronic application for permanent residence, e-APR
• The cost recovery fee
• all supporting documents

The supporting documents will help the Processing Officer cross-check the information submitted in the initial Express Entry profile and e-APR. An incomplete application, i.e., an application which does not meet the above criteria will be rejected. The application fee will be refunded.

When an applicant submits the e-APR a personalized document checklist is generated. This personalized document checklist tells which supporting document is required from each family member included in the application.

 

Translation of Documents:

English and French are Canada’s official languages. If a document is not in either of these official languages, the document should be:

• translated in English or French by a certified translator, who stamps the document or provides an affidavit. Or,
• when a certified translator is unavailable, a copy of the original document and the translation of the entire document. The original document and the translation should be stamped by the translator or mentioned in the affidavit.
• a scan of the original document, or a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document, if the translation was based on the certified photocopy.

 

Mandatory Documents for All Applicants:

An application missing the following documents will be considered incomplete and will be rejected.

1. Medical Examination: is requested to assess the health condition of the applicant and their family members. It is required by the principal applicant, their spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children, including non-accompanying children.

Applicants who submitted their profiles on or after October 1, 2023, are not required to submit an Upfront Medical Exam (UFM). They will be contacted on IME requirements.

2. Police Certificate: is requested to check the applicant and their family’s criminal record and to check if they are a security risk to Canada. It is required by the principal applicant, their spouse or common-law partner, and 18 years or older dependent children, including non-accompanying children.

PC should be uploaded as a colored scan of the original PC(s). It is not required for Canada. Upfront PCs are required for the current country of residence and for the country/countries where the applicant and/or their family members have lived for 6 months or more in a row in the last 10 years after the age of 18.

3. A Copy of the Passport’s Page with Biographical Data or Travel Document: is requested to confirm the identity of the applicant and their accompanying family members. It is required by the principal applicant, their spouse or common-law partner, and accompanying dependent children. The provided scan copy should be clear and readable.

4. Proof of Work Experience: is requested to check the legitimacy of the work experience and if it aligns with the program requirements. It is required by the principal applicant, and their spouse or common-law partner, if applicable.

Following documents are required for each declared work experience:

• For Overseas Employees: a reference or experience letter from the employer on company letterhead with mandatory details.
• Self-employed Applicants: can provide articles of incorporation or other documents proving business ownership, proof of income, and documents from the third party of the service provided including payment details.
• For in Canada Work Experience: copies of T4 tax information slips and notices of assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency for the years of work experience.

 

Mandatory Document Checklist if Applicable:

1. Proof of Funds: is requested to check if the applicant meets the low-income cut-off (LICO) requirement. To meet the LICO criteria a certain amount of money is required according to the family members.

An official letter(s) from the financial institution(s) is required along with mandatory details listing all the accounts with the required details.

2. Proof of Studies: is requested to check the education claims and if it aligns with the program requirements. It is required by the principal applicant, and their spouse or common-law partner.

• In Canada Education: proof of completed secondary or post-secondary educational program, for example, certificates diplomas, or degrees and transcripts. The Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number of a Canadian Institution for their highest completed degree.
• Out of Canada Education: Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report, ECA reference number, along with completed educational credentials, for example, certificates diplomas, or degrees and transcripts.

3. A Copy of the Birth Certificate or Other Equivalent Document: is requested to prove the relationship between the dependent children and parents. It is required by the dependent children even if they are non-accompanying.

4. A Copy of the Provincial or Territorial Certificate of Qualification: is requested to validate the claim of provincial or territorial certificate of qualification by an applicant. It is required by the principal applicant, and their spouse or common-law partner, if applicable.

5. Letter of Offer from the Employer: is requested to validate a qualifying job offer, eliminate fraud, and if it aligns with the program requirements. It is required by the principal applicant.

A job offer letter is required from the employer(s) on the company’s letterhead with mandatory details. If this job offer is LMIA-linked, then an LMIA number is also needed.

6. Use of a Representative form [IMM 5476]: is requested when an applicant hires a consultant to represent them and their family members. It is required by the principal applicant, their spouse or common-law partner, and their accompanying 18 years or older dependent children.

7.  Evidence of Common-Law Union and Cohabitation: with Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form is requested to prove claimed marital status. It is required by the principal applicant.

8. Marriage Certificate: is requested to prove claimed marital status. It is required by the principal applicant.

9. Divorce Certificate and Legal Separation Agreement: is requested to prove claimed marital status. It is required by the principal applicant.

10. Death Certificate: is requested to prove the death of a spouse or common-law partner.

11. Adoption Certificate: is requested to prove that a dependent child is adopted. It is required by dependent children even if they are non-accompanying.

 

Other Documents:

The above-mentioned documents are mandatory. If not provided, the application will be rejected as incomplete. There are, however, other necessary documents according to the applicant’s personal situation. These documents are not required for the completeness of e-APR but are important to substantiate the details of their application.

• Proof and Status of Relationship Siblings in Canada
• Digital Photos
• Other Name
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual Form
• Other Relevant Documents

 

Important note:  Please note that Canadian immigration laws and regulations are subject to change. The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance and may not reflect the most current legal developments at the time of your application. It does not constitute legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting official government resources or seeking advice from a qualified legal professional before making any decisions or taking action based on the content of this article.

Kashmala Chaudhry is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, RCIC - IRB and the CEO of WMG Immigration Services. She is a licensee in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, CICC. 

Please feel free to reach out WMG Immigration Services for legal advice at:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 587 800 2228

Website: https://wmgimmigration.com 

 

Official Source: Applications for permanent residency programs subject to the Express Entry completeness check