What documents are required to apply for a PR?

In Canada, a “complete set of documents” means a set of supporting documents that allows an IRCC officer to make an unconditional positive decision on granting PR. All attachments are electronically checked for consistency of format, details, and compliance with validity requirements. Documents submitted incomplete or with translation errors automatically return the application to “incomplete” status and require the process to be started over. Below is a detailed list of mandatory and conditionally mandatory materials, explanations of their content, validity periods, and common problems encountered by applicants from Calgary and other regions.

The basic concept of “mandatory” and “optional”

IRCC divides the list into two categories. The first category consists of universal mandatory documents: passport, police certificates, medical examination, digital photo, IMM0008 and IMM5669 forms. The second is situational records that are pulled up in a personal checklist (e.g., marriage certificates, education certificates, ECA, qualification certificates, PNP nomination). If even one item from the list is missing from the required tab, the “Submit” button on the PR portal will be blocked.

Identification block

Your passport or travel document must be valid for at least six months from the date of submission. Scans include the page with biometric data, all extensions, and visas if the applicant resides outside their country of citizenship. A color digital photo with parameters 715 × 1,000 – 2,000 × 2,800 px, up to 4 MB in size, taken no earlier than twelve months ago, must be attached to the passport. The printed equivalent is 50×70 mm, with the face measuring 31-36 mm from the chin to the top of the head.

IRCC forms

Each PDF must be electronically signed in the portal; printed versions are only required for offline categories (e.g., some PNP business streams).

Language and education validation

An electronic copy of IELTS/CELPIP/TEF results must be valid <2 years at the time of application. Foreign diplomas are evaluated through ECA from WES, ICES, IQAS, or another accredited agency; the report is valid for 5 years. PNP-Opportunity Stream applicants who have graduated from an Alberta educational institution may not attach an ECA, but the diploma must be scanned in PDF format in its entirety.

Work experience

An official letter of reference from each employer on company letterhead with the manager's contact details, position, duties, salary, dates, and hours worked is the IRCC's “golden rule.” If you are self-employed, you must provide company registration documents, tax returns, and proof of contracts.

Police check

Certificates of no criminal record are required for all persons ≥18 years of age from all countries where they have lived for more than six consecutive months during the last ten years. The certificate must be issued less than six months prior to the date of submission. If the country requires an official request from IRCC, the applicant downloads the template letter “I am applying from a country that requires...” and then receives instructions.

Medical examination

As of October 1, 2023, a preliminary medical examination is not required. After accepting the electronic application, IRCC sends form IMM 1017E with a 30-day deadline for a medical examination by a doctor from the Panel Physicians list. The results are uploaded by the doctor; the applicant only needs to add a scan of the receipt.

Financial capacity

New table of minimum funds as of July 7, 2025:

An official letter from the bank must indicate the account number, date of opening, current and average 6-month balance, as well as all loans. Joint accounts with a partner are allowed if the applicant can prove access to the funds.

Proof of provincial nomination and job offer

AAIP or another PNP issues a Certificate of Nomination — a scan of this document is uploaded to the appropriate field in the profile. If there is a job offer, add a signed contract, LMIA (if necessary), a letter of employment, and company registration with the Alberta WCB.

Civil and family status

All documents not in English or French must be translated and certified by a translator.

IRCC Final Checklist

Common mistakes and rejections

The most common scenario for rejection is a letter of employment that duplicates the NOC description or does not include the number of hours and salary. The second most common reason is police certificates issued more than six months ago. The third is photos taken in a non-professional studio, causing glare or incorrect face size, resulting in an automatic “Photo Rejected” on the portal.

Preparation timeline

Cost estimate for a single applicant

Principles of electronic submission

• Separate PDF ≤4 MB for each slot.
• Documents should be named in Latin: Passport_Principal, Employer1_Reference, PCC_Ukraine, etc.
• Scan at 300 dpi, color mode, format using Adobe Acrobat.
• After “Submit,” the file cannot be changed, so verification is carried out in two rounds.

Conclusion

Selecting documents for PR is not just a matter of “gathering papers,” but a technically precise project with strict time limits and digital requirements. Passports and photos are checked using geometric algorithms; police certificates are checked for date validity; bank documents are checked for structural fields. Attention to every detail and timely updating of data (for example, proof of funds after July 28, 2025) ensure that your application passes through the IRCC's automated filters without interruption and minimize the risk of additional evidence being requested. Obtaining PR becomes a predictable process if you start preparing well in advance of receiving your ITA and check each item on the IMM 5690 universal checklist.