Immigration Application Documents
Reviewed October 6, 2026
There is no single document package for “immigration to Canada.” Permanent residence requirements depend on the program, the applicant’s circumstances, accompanying family members and the instructions issued through the relevant application system. Temporary residence, citizenship and permanent resident card applications use different processes.
Begin with the program-specific checklist
Identify the correct category before collecting or uploading documents. Use IRCC’s official application guides and forms and the personalized checklist or instructions applicable to your application. A checklist for one program should not be reused for another. Confirm that a program is accepting applications and that you meet its requirements before relying on an old online checklist.
Identity, family and immigration history
Depending on the program and circumstances, required records may include passports or travel documents, birth and civil-status records, marriage or divorce documents, custody arrangements, and evidence of immigration status. Follow the instructions about which family members must be declared and which documents are required even for non-accompanying family members.
Provide complete and consistent information where requested about names, relationships, education, work, travel and residence. The reporting period depends on the form or checklist; it is not universally “since age 18” for every question.
Program-specific supporting evidence
Economic programs may require language results, education or credential assessments, employment records and financial evidence where the chosen program requires them.
Family sponsorship applications require evidence specific to the relationship, sponsor eligibility and the sponsorship category.
H&C applications require a focused explanation of the exemptions sought and evidence of the individual circumstances relied on.
Business-related evidence is relevant only where an applicable program requires it. Incorporation records, business plans and financial statements are not standard requirements for every permanent residence applicant.
A Canadian job offer is not a universal requirement. Likewise, proof-of-funds requirements and exemptions vary by program. Gather the evidence required for the chosen route, not a mixture of requirements from unrelated programs.
Police certificates, medical examinations and biometrics
Follow the applicable instructions about police certificates, immigration medical examinations and biometrics, including when to obtain or submit them. The countries and time periods relevant to a police certificate depend on the program and individual history. Do not assume that the same ten-year rule applies to everyone.
Use an authorized panel physician when an immigration medical examination is required. If medical inadmissibility concerns arise, the response or challenge is a separate process: see Medical Inadmissibility Challenges.
Translations, photographs and fees
Follow the current instructions for legible copies, certified copies where required, and translations into English or French. Not every document needs notarization. Photograph requirements differ between applications; there is no universal six-photograph requirement.
Check the fee instructions in the current official application guide before paying. Old flat amounts for adult, child or permanent residence fees may no longer apply, and different fees, exemptions or payment stages may be relevant. Keep the payment receipt.
Online submission and secure preparation
Use the correct application account or portal, respect the requested file types and size limits, and review the completed submission for missing documents and inconsistencies. Keep copies of the forms, uploads, payment records and confirmation. See Applying for Permanent Residence Online: Choosing the Correct IRCC Account.
Do not send sensitive identity, financial or medical records through a general website contact form unless appropriate arrangements have been made. Contact the office first to agree on a suitable way to provide your materials. If a required record is unavailable, follow the program’s instructions and provide an explanation and supporting evidence where permitted; acceptance is not automatic.
Documents for specific applications
For advice about selecting the right process and preparing the evidence, contact our office. Browse Immigration Insights for related guidance. This article provides general information, not legal advice.