What Is a Certified Translation in Canada?
Understand certified translations, professional credentials, certification statements, and the requirements of receiving institutions in Canada.
The Certilate Team · Certified translators
Express Entry Document Translation Requirements in Canada
Understand the translation and document-copy requirements to review when preparing an Express Entry permanent residence application.
Article
Key takeaways
- Documents in another language need an English or French translation, either stamped by a certified translator or accompanied by the required affidavit.
- You must also upload a scan of the original document, or the certified photocopy the translation was based on.
- A certified translator is a member in good standing of a professional translation association, with a seal or stamp showing the membership number.
- A translator still in the process of receiving certification is not treated as certified for this purpose.
- All stamps and seals not in English or French must be translated — so do not crop the document.
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.
The core Express Entry translation rule
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.
What qualifies as a certified translator?
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.
Translate the whole document
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.
Common Express Entry documents
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.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Using the wrong certified language direction
- Submitting only the translated page and omitting the required source-document scan
- Cropping stamps or seals from the source file
- Using a family member or representative as translator where prohibited
- Assuming a candidate translator is equivalent to a certified translator
- Waiting until the application deadline to arrange translation
A better workflow
- Download or review your current Express Entry document checklist.
- Separate the documents already in English or French from those requiring translation.
- Group documents by source language.
- Use certified translators whose credentials and language directions can be verified.
- Check the completed translation against the source before upload.
- Follow IRCC's current file-upload instructions.
Get an Express Entry certified translation
Certilate simplifies the translation stage by connecting your document with a verified certified translator for the required language direction.
Get a quote →Frequently asked
Does Express Entry require certified translation?
IRCC permits a certified translator route and provides an affidavit alternative when a certified translation cannot be completed. Applicants should follow the current permanent residence instructions.
Does the translator need a stamp?
IRCC states that a certified translator's certification must be confirmed by a seal or stamp showing the membership number.
Can a candidate translator translate for Express Entry as a certified translator?
No. IRCC states that a translator still in the process of receiving certification or accreditation is not considered certified for this purpose.
Do I need to translate seals on my documents?
Yes, if they are not in English or French, according to the current Express Entry instructions.
Source references
Information current as of 29 August 2026. Government and institutional requirements can change. Verify the receiving organization’s current instructions before submitting.
Arabic→English Keep reading
Related guides
Certified vs. Notarized Translation in Canada: What’s the Difference?
Understand what a certified translator does, what notarization means, and how to check the documentation requested by an institution.
The Certilate Team · Certified translators
Certified Translation for IRCC Applications: Requirements in Canada
Learn how to prepare documents for an IRCC application, including translation, certification, and supporting-document requirements.
The Certilate Team · Certified translators
Spanish→English Ready when you are
Get your document translated.
Upload it once. We match it to a verified certified translator and bring you one clear quote.