Documents for Canada: Translations, Apostille & WES Evaluation (2026)

To study in Canada you need two sets of documents: academic documents for the university (transcripts, certificates, English test, sometimes a credential evaluation such as WES) and immigration documents for IRCC (letter of acceptance, PAL/TAL or CAQ, passport, proof of funds and sometimes medical and police certificates). Anything not in English or French must be translated by someone other than you or your family.

Below we separate what IRCC asks for from what universities ask for, because they follow different rules. Universities set their own document policies; always check the admission page of each school.

Documents for your university application

• Secondary-school certificate and transcripts (for a bachelor's), or degree certificate and transcripts (for a master's or PhD).
• National exam results where your university asks for them, for example the Afghan Kankor at Dalhousie and Ontario Tech.
• English test results (IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, PTE, CAEL), often sent directly by the test provider.
• Graduate extras: CV, statement of purpose or research statement, reference letters.
• Passport copy for identity.
• Credential evaluation only if the university asks (see below).

Universities decide how documents must arrive. Many accept uploaded copies to make a decision and ask for official transcripts sent directly by your school or university later. Saint Mary's University, for example, requires official graduate transcripts directly from the issuing institution. Official documents you mail may not be returned: Trinity Western University says they become its property.

Credential recognition: WES, ICAS and others

In Canada, each institution has full authority to decide whether it recognises your diploma or degree for admission (CICIC). Some do the assessment themselves; others ask for an external evaluation. The six members of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada are:

Examples of when an evaluation is needed: Ontario Tech says post-secondary credentials from outside Canada may need WES authentication, the University College of the North treats an international application as complete only once the WES evaluation arrives, and Trinity Western requires an Alliance member's evaluation (ICES recommended) for transfer credit.

Translations: IRCC rules

For the study permit, IRCC says you must include an English or French translation with any document in another language. A certified translator is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada. If your translator is not certified in Canada, they must provide an affidavit swearing to their language ability, sworn before an authorised person such as a notary (IRCC guide 5269).

Apostille and legalization

Canada joined the Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024. The HCCH status table lists Pakistan (since 9 March 2023), India (since 14 July 2005) and Bangladesh (since 30 March 2025) as parties. Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria and Egypt are not on the table, so documents from those countries cannot be apostilled (HCCH).

Importantly, IRCC's study permit pages do not require legalization of foreign academic documents. Universities set their own rules, usually asking for official transcripts sent directly or an evaluation report. Ask your university before paying for an apostille or embassy legalization. If a university does ask for attested copies, it will say which authority must certify them; follow that instruction exactly rather than a general rule from another country.

Immigration documents for the study permit

Full details and amounts are in our Canada student visa guide.

Proof of funds documents

IRCC accepts several kinds of proof and you can combine them. Its examples include:

• A guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution.
• Bank statements for the past 6 months, including the month you apply or the month before, showing where the income comes from.
• A receipt showing you paid first-year tuition and housing to your school (with proof of living and travel money as well).
• A student or education loan from a bank, or a scholarship. If the scholarship covers only tuition, add proof of living and travel funds.
• A letter from the person or institution giving you money, stating their job, relationship to you, dependants and the amount, plus their ID or business registration.
• Recent pay stubs, pension documents or proof of rental income.

If your country has foreign exchange controls, IRCC also asks you to prove you can move the money out of the country. For programs longer than one year, explain how you will pay for the remaining years (IRCC financial support).

Letter of explanation

IRCC recommends a letter of explanation even though it is not mandatory. Its purpose is to explain why you want to study in Canada and to show that you understand your responsibilities as an international student. A clear letter usually covers your study plan, why you chose this program and school, how it connects to your previous studies or work, who is paying and where the money comes from, and your plans after graduation. Keep it factual and consistent with every other document.

Passport and photos

Upload the information page of a valid passport. IRCC asks for two recent passport-size photos with your name and date of birth written on the back. If you are approved, you will need to send the original passport so the visa can be placed in it. Renew it before you apply if it will expire soon, so you do not have to update your file or travel documents later.

Medical exam

You need an immigration medical exam for stays over six months if you lived six months or more in a row in a listed country in the year before coming. Afghanistan and Pakistan are on the list; Iran is not (IRCC country list). Medical and dental students need an exam regardless. You can take an upfront exam with a panel physician and upload proof with your application.

Police certificate

A police certificate is not a standard study permit document, but an officer may request one, so IRCC recommends applying early. IRCC publishes country-by-country instructions.

Quebec CAQ documents

For the CAQ, Quebec asks for your passport, admission letter, tuition fee information, a credit card for payment, details of who pays your expenses, and proof of financial capacity such as six months of bank statements, a GIC, a scholarship confirmation or a signed declaration of financial support. Scans must be legible and non-editable (Quebec).

Afghan applicants: documents and police certificates

• Police certificate inside Afghanistan: apply at the nearest police office under the Ministry of the Interior, which forwards the request; the Ministry issues a Character Certificate (IRCC).
• Living outside Afghanistan: apply at the nearest Afghan embassy or consulate. There is no form; write a letter saying it is for immigration purposes.
• Living in Pakistan: follow IRCC's Pakistan police certificate instructions; non-citizens apply at the district office of the Senior Superintendent of Police, Police Security Branch.
• Missing academic records: some universities have special procedures. MacEwan asks Afghan applicants to upload the documents they have and contact admissions; Mount Royal has an Applicant Declaration procedure; Memorial says it will consider applicants who cannot easily get official documents.

Document preparation checklist

1. 1.Make high-quality colour scans of every certificate, transcript and passport page.
2. 2.Check that your name and date of birth match your passport on every document.
3. 3.Get certified English or French translations (not by you or relatives) and affidavits if needed.
4. 4.Ask each university whether it needs an evaluation, official transcripts by post, or nothing extra.
5. 5.Book your English test early and request official score reports.
6. 6.Prepare proof of funds with 6 months of bank history.
7. 7.Book an upfront medical exam if your country is listed.
8. 8.Keep everything in one folder and track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.

Next, check Canada university admission requirements or go back to the complete guide to studying in Canada.