Express Entry Document Checklist 2026: Every File You Need (and the One Most People Forget)

The hardest part of Express Entry isn't the paperwork — it's knowing exactly which documents you need and when. Miss one thing after receiving your Invitation to Apply (ITA), and you have 60 days to figure it out. That clock moves fast, especially when you're waiting on police certificates from overseas or a medical exam appointment.

This guide gives you the complete checklist, split into two phases: what you need before creating your profile, and what you need after receiving your ITA. Start collecting documents now — even if you haven't submitted your profile yet.

The bottom line

You need two sets of documents at two different stages. Before creating your profile, you need language test results, an ECA (if educated outside Canada), and your NOC code research. After receiving your ITA, you have exactly 60 days to submit a full PR application with police certificates, medical exams, proof of funds, work reference letters, photos, and more. The 60-day deadline is firm — IRCC does not grant extensions. Start preparing ITA-stage documents before you even enter the pool.

Phase 1: Documents for your Express Entry profile

These are the items you need to accurately fill out your profile. You won't upload anything at this stage, but the information must be correct — IRCC will verify everything against your actual documents after you receive an ITA.

Profile-stage checklist

• Valid passport — at least 6 months before expiry recommended; note passport number, issue/expiry dates, and country of issue
• Language test results — IELTS General Training or CELPIP General (English); TEF Canada or TCF Canada (French); must be less than 2 years old at the time of ITA
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — required if you studied outside Canada; WES is the most popular provider (full WES guide)
• NOC code(s) for your work experience — based on job duties, not job title; use the NOC Finder
• Employment details — employer names, addresses, job titles, start/end dates, hours per week for all positions you're claiming
• Education details — institution names, credential types, fields of study, completion dates
• Spouse/partner information — their language test results and education details (if applicable); these affect your CRS score
• Proof of funds amount — confirm you meet the minimum for your family size (see table below)

Phase 2: Documents for your PR application (after ITA)

Once you receive an Invitation to Apply, you have 60 calendar days to submit your complete PR application. This is the stage where everything must be uploaded as scanned documents. Missing or incorrect documents are the most common reason applications are returned or refused.

Identity and travel documents

• Passport — biodata page scan for you and all family members included in the application (including children)
• Previous passports — biodata pages of any passports held in the last 10 years
• National ID card — if your country issues one (e.g., India Aadhaar card, Philippines PhilSys ID)
• Birth certificate — for you and any dependent children
• Marriage certificate — if married; or common-law declaration and proof of cohabitation (12 months minimum)
• Divorce certificate — if previously married
• Death certificate — if a former spouse is deceased

Language proof

• Language test score report — the original report (not a photocopy); must be valid at the time of ITA and at the time of application submission
• Second language test (if claiming) — same validity requirements

For a detailed comparison of English tests, read our IELTS vs. CELPIP guide.

Education documents

• ECA report — the full report from WES, IQAS, or another designated organization; valid for 5 years from the date of issue
• Degree certificate / diploma — for each credential listed in your profile
• Transcripts — official transcripts for each credential
• Canadian credential (if applicable) — if you studied in Canada, no ECA is needed, but include your diploma and transcripts

Work experience documents

This is where applications most commonly fail. You need a reference letter for every work experience you claim in your profile — and each letter must contain specific information.

• Work reference letters — one per employer/position claimed

Each reference letter must include all of the following:

1. Written on company letterhead
2. Signed by your direct supervisor or HR representative (with their name, title, and contact information)
3. Your job title
4. Your duties — described in enough detail to match your claimed NOC code
5. Start and end dates of employment
6. Hours per week
7. Annual salary plus benefits (recommended, though not strictly required)

• Employment contracts — supporting evidence for each position
• Pay stubs or tax documents — to corroborate employment dates and salary (IRCC may request these)
• Business registration + proof — if claiming self-employment experience (articles of incorporation, client contracts, financial statements)

Police certificates

You need a police clearance certificate from every country where you've lived for 6 months or more since age 18. This is the document that catches people off guard — especially if you've lived in multiple countries.

• Police certificate from your country of citizenship
• Police certificate from your current country of residence (if different)
• Police certificates from every country where you've lived 6+ months since age 18

Some police certificates expire within a specific period (typically 6-12 months). Get them as close to your ITA as practically possible.

Medical exam

• Immigration Medical Exam (IME) — completed by an IRCC-designated panel physician

You must schedule your medical exam with a panel physician — not a regular doctor. Find a panel physician on the IRCC website based on your country of residence. The exam typically includes:

• Physical examination
• Blood tests (including HIV test)
• Chest X-ray
• Urinalysis
• Vision test
• Review of medical history

The results are sent directly to IRCC by the panel physician — you don't upload them yourself. The exam is valid for 12 months, so don't do it too early.

Cost: Varies by country, typically $200-400 CAD equivalent.

Photos

• Passport-style photos — for you and all family members in the application

IRCC has specific photo requirements:

• Size: 50mm x 70mm
• Taken within the last 6 months
• White or light-colored background
• Neutral expression, mouth closed
• Name, date of birth, and date photo was taken written on the back

Proof of funds

• Bank statements or investment statements — showing you meet the minimum funds for your family size
• Statements must cover at least 6 months before the date of application

Exemption: You don't need to show proof of funds if you currently have valid authorization to work in Canada and have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

• Official bank letter (recommended) — on bank letterhead confirming your account balance, account opening date, and average balance over the past 6 months

Additional documents

• Digital photos uploaded — in the correct format (JPEG, max 4MB)
• Proof of relationship (if applicable) — photos together, shared lease, joint bank accounts, communication records
• Children's documents — birth certificates, custody agreements, consent letters from non-accompanying parents
• Travel history — list of all countries visited in the last 10 years (some applicants are asked for this)
• Provincial Nominee Certificate — if you have a provincial nomination (adds 600 CRS points)

Application fees

Budget for these costs when preparing your PR application:

RPRF is refundable if your application is refused or withdrawn.

Common rejection reasons

Incomplete reference letters. The letter doesn't include all required details — missing hours per week, no company letterhead, or duties that don't match your NOC code. This is the single most common problem.

Expired documents. Your language test expired between ITA and submission, or your police certificate is older than the accepted validity period. Track every expiry date carefully.

Proof of funds below minimum. The funds must be at or above the threshold at the time of submitting your application and must have been consistently maintained. A one-time large deposit the day before submission can raise red flags.

Inconsistent information. Your work dates on the profile don't match your reference letters, or your passport name doesn't match your ECA. IRCC checks for consistency across all documents.

Missing police certificates. Forgetting a country where you lived for 6 months. Go through your passport stamps and residence history carefully.

Photos don't meet specifications. Wrong size, wrong background, glasses in the photo, or more than 6 months old. This is an easy one to get right — go to a professional passport photo service.

Timeline after ITA

Here's what to expect after receiving your ITA:

Check our processing times page for the most current estimates.

Next steps

1. Calculate your CRS score — use the CRS Calculator to see where you stand
2. Create your profile — follow our Express Entry profile guide for a step-by-step walkthrough
3. Start gathering documents now — especially police certificates and your medical exam; don't wait for the ITA
4. Get your ECA — start the WES ECA process immediately if you haven't already
5. Prepare your reference letters — give your current and former employers a heads-up that you'll need detailed reference letters