Prepare These Essential Documents Before Canada’s New TR to PR Pathway Opens

Canada is preparing to launch a new Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) pathway, and thousands of temporary residents—workers, students, and visitors—are eagerly waiting for the official announcement.

If you want to maximize your chances of securing Canadian permanent residence, the most important step is preparing all your documents in advance. When the first TR to PR pathway opened in 2021, the intake reached its application cap within hours. Many eligible candidates missed the chance simply because their documents were not ready.

This blog provides a complete, SEO-optimized checklist of documents you must begin gathering right now, along with real-time examples showing how document readiness can make or break your PR application.

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Why Preparing Early Is Critical

• The government has confirmed that 33,000 temporary residents will receive PR through this pathway in 2026–2027.

• These spots will likely fill extremely fast, just like the 2021 pathway.

• Some documents—especially police certificates, language test results, ECAs (Educational Credential Assessments)—take weeks or months to obtain.

A well-prepared document kit is the key to submitting your PR application on Day 1.

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Documents You Must Prepare for the New TR to PR Pathway

Below is the comprehensive checklist of documents you should gather before the program launches.

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1. Proof of Language Proficiency

Required Documents

• CELPIP General Test results

• IELTS General Training

• PTE Core

• TEF Canada / TCF Canada (for French)

Important Notes

• Test results must be valid for 2 years on the date of application.

• If your results expire soon, retake the test now.

Real-Time Use Case

Arun, an international student working in Ontario, had IELTS results that expired two weeks before the TR to PR intake opened in 2021. Since test slots were fully booked, he couldn’t reappear in time and lost his chance for PR. Taking tests early avoids this situation.

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2. Police Certificates (Criminal Background Checks)

Required For

• You

• Your spouse/partner

• All dependants aged 18+

You need police certificates for:

• Every country where you lived 6+ months in a row in the past 10 years

• Current country: certificate must be issued within 6 months before submitting your PR application

• Not required for time spent in Canada

Real-Time Use Case

Maria from the Philippines waited 16 weeks for her police clearance. By the time she received it, the 2021 TR to PR pathway had already closed. Many countries take months—apply early.

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3. Proof of Education

Foreign Education

• ECA report (valid for 5 years)

• Degree certificates

• Mark sheets

Canadian Education

• Final transcripts

• Letter of completion or diploma

Real-Time Use Case

Some candidates failed to submit their ECA before the portal crashed in 2021. Having your ECA ready in hand ensures you can upload instantly.

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4. Travel History Records

Documents Needed

• Travel log for last 10 years

• Airline tickets/booking records

• All passport pages (old and new)

Why This Matters

IRCC cross-checks travel records with your background declarations and police certificates.

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5. Proof of Employment (Past and Current)

Past Employment

• Reference letters with job title, duties, salary, hours

• Pay stubs

• T4s/NOAs (for Canadian work)

• Employment contracts

Current Employment (If required)

• Valid work permit

• Employer reference letter

• Recent pay stubs

• Job contract

Real-Time Use Case

A candidate working as a cook in Alberta had a reference letter missing job duties. IRCC rejected his application since duties must match NOC descriptions. He later obtained a detailed letter, but the intake window had already closed.

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6. Organizational Affiliations

Required If You Have:

• Volunteered with organizations

• Donated to charities

• Been a member of associations (social, political, professional, student groups)

Prepare:

• List of organizations

• Reference letters

• Donation receipts

Why It Matters

IMM 5669 (Schedule A) requires a lifetime history of memberships and volunteering.

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7. Identity and Civil Status Documents

Includes:

• Passports (all pages)

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Divorce/adoption/name change documents

Tip

Ensure your passport does not expire during processing.

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8. Translations

If any document is not in English or French:

• Certified translation

• Or translation with affidavit

• Original document scanned clearly

Important

Family members cannot translate your documents.

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Documentation Required for In-Canada Applicants

If you're applying from inside Canada, you must also prepare:

Proof of Legal Status

• Study permit

• Work permit

• Visitor record

• Entry stamps or electronic entry records

• Proof of maintained status (if applicable)

Example

If you applied for a work permit extension before expiry, keep the submission confirmation—this proves maintained status.

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Documents for Accompanying Family Members

Required

• Passports

• Police certificates

• Birth/marriage certificates

• Travel history

Every family member 18+ needs their own police clearance—even if they will not accompany you to Canada.

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Documents Needed in Special Situations Only

1. Letter of Explanation (LOE)

Use it to explain:

• Employment gaps

• Missing documents

• Travel inconsistencies

• Name variations

2. Proof of Common-Law Relationship

• IMM 5409

• Joint bills

• Joint lease

• Shared bank accounts

3. Name Change Certificates

If applicable.

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Important Tips for Success

✔ Scan and Label Everything Clearly

Format suggestion:
DocumentType_LastName_FirstName_YYYYMMDD

✔ Check Expiry Dates

• Language tests < 2 years old

• ECAs < 5 years old

• Police certificates issued within valid window

✔ Obtain Employer Letters Early

Make sure they include:

• Job duties

• Hours/week

• Salary

• Start/end dates

• Company contact details

✔ Use Correct Translation Procedures

Follow IRCC rules strictly.

✔ Prepare a Complete Personal History

No gaps in:

• Address history

• Employment history

• Travel history

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Final Thoughts: Be Ready Before the TR to PR Pathway Opens

With limited spots and a high number of eligible temporary residents in Canada, preparation is the only way to secure your PR through the upcoming TR to PR pathway.

If the program opens suddenly—as it did in 2021—only those with complete, correctly prepared documents will be able to submit on time.