Planning to work in Canada? An essential workbook for newcomers

Section D – Work-related documents

Introduction

There are many documents related to your education and your experience that help regulatory bodies, assessment agencies or employers understand your international qualifications. Before you come to Canada, you can identify and gather documents that you may need after you arrive.

Any documents you can produce that prove your educational record, professional training and work experience will help you in your search for a job in Canada. They will help you and potential employers understand your qualifications. When applying for licensing, certification or registration in a regulated occupation, such documents are required.

Step 1: My credentials

Using the form below, list all the documents related to your education and work experience that might help Canadian organizations (regulatory bodies, assessment agencies, employers or educational institutions) understand your international qualifications. (For regulated occupations, check the document requirements listed in the Licence and Certification section of your Working in Canada Report.)

Documents you may require include:

• degrees, diplomas or certificates from universities, colleges, secondary schools or trade schools
• program descriptions or syllabi related to your studies; transcripts of grades
• letters from professional and other regulatory bodies
• apprenticeship or professional certificates
• letters from employers, performance reviews
• work descriptions for jobs you have done
• letters of reference from former employers

List which original documents you will bring with you. Check if you have the original of each document in your possession or whether you need to obtain it.

List the documents that need to be sent directly from an educational institution you attended to an organization in Canada.

Step 2: Gathering my documents

If you do not possess the originals of the documents you need, contact the schools or other organizations where you studied or worked and ask them to send your documents directly to you. Note: Do this while still in your home country.

Track the following information:

• The name of the document requested
• The organization it was requested from
• Confirmation that the document was sent to you
• Whether or not the document was received

Step 3: Sending documents directly to Canada

Each school, regulatory body and other organizations in Canada sets its own rules for document submission. Some require that the documents be sent directly to them. If so, contact your schools, regulatory bodies and other applicable organizations before you leave for Canada and ask them to send your documents directly to the Canada organization.

Track the following information:

• The name of the document requested
• The organization it was requested from
• The organization to which the document should be sent
• Confirmation that the document was sent
• Whether or not the document was received

Step 4: Getting documents translated

You may need to have your documents translated into English, French or both. Check the website or contact the regulatory body or apprenticeship authority to find out about the translation requirements, including the following:

• Whether you need to use an approved translation service (if so, you will have to pay for the translation)
• Whether original documents are required or whether you will need a lawyer to notarize copies
• Whether certified translations are required

Step 5: Missing documents

If you cannot get the documents that show your education, skills and experience, contact the organizations in Section C – Step 3 and ask them how you should proceed.

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