Express Entry Document Checklist: What You Need Before and After an ITA
The Express Entry document checklist is the set of papers IRCC needs from you: a passport, language results, an ECA if you studied abroad, proof of work experience, proof of funds, police certificates and a medical exam. Your invitation to apply is valid for 60 days only, so gather what you can before it arrives (IRCC, checked October 2026). This guide shows what to collect now and what to do after your invitation.
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What is the Express Entry document checklist?
The Express Entry document checklist is the list of papers that proves what you claimed in your profile. IRCC builds a personal checklist in your account after you are invited, and it changes with your family and your program.
Some papers you can collect now. Others, such as police certificates and the medical exam, need time. Start early.
Which documents come first?
Start with the papers that expire: language results and your ECA. Then gather work letters, funds, police certificates and civil documents. Book your medical right after your invitation.
Why it matters
- Deadline: you have 60 days after the invitation
- Refusal risk: expired language results lead to a refusal
- Checklist: IRCC builds yours inside your account
- Scans: IRCC asks for clear scans of every document
Are you ready to apply?
A quick check before your invitation arrives.
You are ready if you have
- A valid passport or travel document
- Language results under 2 years old
- An ECA under 5 years old, if you studied abroad
- Letters that prove your work experience
- Proof of funds, if you need it
Fix these first
- A passport that expires within 6 months: IRCC advises renewing it
- Language results close to 2 years old
- An ECA close to 5 years old
- No plan for police certificates from countries where you lived
Read about the invitation to apply, the proof of funds amounts, the ECA and the language tests. Also see the PR government fees.
Five groups of documents
Every candidate has a different list. These are the common groups. Source: IRCC.
Identity and family
A passport or travel document, plus birth, marriage or divorce certificates, depending on your marital status.
Language and education
Language results under 2 years old. An ECA under 5 years old if you studied abroad.
Work experience
Letters that prove your work experience. A trade certificate for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. See how to write a work experience letter.
Money
Proof of funds, unless you are exempt. See our proof of funds page.
Police and medical
Police certificates for each country where you stayed 6 months in a row or longer, and a medical exam from a panel physician.
Not sure what applies to you?
We build your checklist from your profile, your family and your history.
Rules to know before you collect documents
The 60-day clock
Your invitation is valid for 60 days only. Start your application form right away.
Police certificates
You and family members who are 18 or older need one for each country where you stayed 6 months in a row or longer in the last 10 years. Time in Canada and time before age 18 do not count.
Police certificate dates
For the country where you live now, the certificate must be no more than 6 months old when you submit. For other countries, it must be issued after your last stay of 6 months or longer.
Scans
Upload clear colour scans of your originals. For police certificates, IRCC does not accept certified true copies.
Translations
A translation must be stamped by a certified translator or come with an affidavit. Upload a scan of the original too.
Medical exam
IRCC requires a medical exam from a panel physician. Book it right after your invitation, and keep it valid through submission and approval.
Related pages
These pages cover the ECA, funds, language and the Express Entry process.
How to collect your documents
Five actions take you from your first folder to your upload.
Check your dates
Check when your passport, language test and ECA expire.
Order slow papers
Request police certificates and work letters early.
Book your medical
After your invitation, contact a panel physician right away.
Translate and scan
Translate papers that are not in English or French, and scan everything clearly.
Upload and pay
Upload your documents, pay the fees and submit before day 60.
Want your checklist built for you?
We review your documents before your invitation arrives.
How to prepare your documents, step by step
Six steps from your first check to your submission.
Check your expiry dates
Check your passport, language results and ECA dates first.
Make your folder
Put your ID, civil papers and education papers in one place.
Request police certificates
Ask each country for its certificate. Some countries need a letter from IRCC.
Get your work letters
Ask each employer for a letter that shows your job, duties, dates and hours.
Book your medical
Contact a panel physician as soon as your invitation arrives.
Upload and submit
Pay the fees, upload clear scans and submit before day 60.
Five mistakes that delay an application
These mistakes cost days you do not have.
Waiting for the invitation
You only have 60 days. Collect what you can before it arrives.
Using expired results
Expired language results lead to a refusal. Check your dates early.
Missing a country
List every country where you stayed 6 months in a row or longer in the last 10 years.
Sending poor scans
IRCC asks for clear scans of every document on your checklist.
Skipping the medical
The medical exam is a requirement for permanent residence. Book it right after your invitation.
Document checklist facts at a glance
Key facts from IRCC, checked October 2026.
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Document checklist FAQs
What documents do I need for Express Entry?
You need a passport or travel document, language results, an ECA if you studied abroad, proof of work experience and proof of funds if you are not exempt. You also need police certificates, a medical exam and civil documents such as birth and marriage certificates (IRCC, checked October 2026).
How long do I have to submit documents after an ITA?
Your invitation to apply is valid for 60 days only. Start your application form right away so you can gather what your checklist asks for.
How old can my language test results be?
They must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you submit your application. Expired results lead to a refusal.
How old can my ECA be?
It must be less than 5 years old when you complete your profile and when you submit your application. A Canadian credential needs no ECA.
Who needs police certificates?
You and family members who are 18 or older need one for each country where you stayed 6 months in a row or longer in the last 10 years. Time in Canada and time before age 18 do not count.
Do I need a medical exam for Express Entry?
Yes. IRCC requires a medical exam from a panel physician. Book it right after your invitation, because IRCC has asked for it at the time of application since 21 August 2025.
Do I need to translate my documents?
Yes, if they are not in English or French. The translation must be stamped by a certified translator or come with an affidavit, and you also upload a scan of the original.
What proof of work experience do I need?
IRCC asks for proof such as a reference or experience letter. Make sure it shows your job title, duties, dates and hours so an officer can match it to your NOC. Read our guide to the perfect work experience letter.
Do I need proof of funds?
Yes, unless you can work in Canada and have a valid job offer, or you apply under the Canadian Experience Class. See our proof of funds page for the amounts.