Express Entry applicants often gather records from several countries. When a required document is not in English or French, IRCC’s translation rules must be followed.
Express Entry applicants often gather records from several countries: civil-status documents, police certificates, employment evidence and other supporting material. When a required document is not in English or French, IRCC's translation rules must be followed.
IRCC's current permanent residence instructions require an English or French translation for documents in another language. The translation must either be stamped by a certified translator or, when a certified translation cannot be completed, be accompanied by the required translator affidavit.
Applicants must also upload a scan of the original document, or the certified photocopy used for the translation where that is the basis of the translation.
IRCC defines a certified translator for this process as a member in good standing of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad. Their certification must be confirmed by a seal or stamp showing the membership number.
A translator who is still in the process of receiving certification or accreditation is not treated as certified for this IRCC purpose.
IRCC specifically states that all stamps and seals that are not in English or French must be translated. Applicants should therefore provide complete scans and avoid cropping the document.
Your personal document checklist determines what you must submit. Depending on the application, foreign-language documents can include civil records, police certificates, education-related documents, employment records and other evidence.
Certilate simplifies the translation stage by connecting your document with a verified certified translator for the required language direction.
Get a quote →Information current as of 29 August 2026. Government and institutional requirements can change. Verify the receiving organization’s current instructions before submitting.
The question is not only whether a document was translated accurately. The receiving organization may also care who translated it, how their professional status is shown, and what the certification includes.
The two terms are often used as if they mean the same thing. They do not — and ordering the wrong one costs either money or a rejected submission.
If a document required for an IRCC application is not in English or French, translation becomes part of the checklist. The precise rule depends on the program.
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