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Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

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How to apply

On this page

  1. Create an account or sign in
  2. Get your forms and documents ready
  3. Pay your fees
  4. Submit your completed application

1. Create an account or sign in

You must apply online using the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.

Apply using the PR Portal(opens in a new tab) 

If you’re having technical issues

If you’re having technical issues applying, contact us using the web form (opens in a new tab).

  1. Select your problem.
  2. Under Tell us about yourself:
    • If you don’t have a unique client identifier number, enter 1111111111.
    • If you haven’t submitted an application yet, and don’t have an application number, enter 0000000.
  3. Under Tell us about your technical issue:
    • Specify the program you’re trying to apply under.
    • Explain any problems that you’re having.
    • Upload screenshots from your account that show us both
      • the page and fields where you’re having problems, and
      • any error messages you’re getting.
Request an alternate format (braille, large print or paper)

If you or your representative can’t apply online and require accommodations, including for a disability, you may ask for the application package in one of these alternate formats:

  • braille
  • large print
  • paper
To request another format:

  1. Prepare a new email

    • In the subject line of your email, include
      • the format you need (braille, large print or paper)
      • the application package you want
    • In the body of your email, copy and paste the text below. Then, fill in the missing information.
      • Requested Format: [Braille / Large Print / Paper]
      • Application Package: [Name of the application package or program]
      • Preferred Language: [English / French]
      • Delivery Method: [Email / Regular Mail in Canada]
      • Applicant or Sponsor Information:
        • Full Name (as shown on passport):
        • Email Address (if requesting electronic delivery):
        • Mailing Address (if requesting regular mail – Canada only):

    Please do not add extra information as it is not necessary and will not be taken into consideration to send out the alternate format.

  2. Send your email to: IRCC.PRPortalALTRequest-DemandeALTPortailRP.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

    Note: we will only reply to requests for alternate formats. We won't reply to any other types of requests.

After we review your request, we’ll send the package in the format and delivery method you chose, with instructions on how to send your application back to IRCC.

If you need additional assistance applying with an alternate format, call 1-888-242-2100 (from inside Canada only).

If you’re getting help with your application from someone else

You can ask someone to help you with your immigration application.

There are special requirements depending on what kind of help you’re getting:

If you’re using a paid immigration representative

Paid immigration representatives need to be authorized (opens in a new tab).

If you want to use a paid representative, you must:

A paid representative can fill out forms and communicate with us for you through their own account. They can also:

  • help you prepare the documents you need to upload
  • answer questions about the forms

They can’t:

  • open a portal account on your behalf
  • electronically sign the application for you
  • sign in to the portal using your username and password

After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.

You don’t need to hire a representative. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.

If you’re using an unpaid representative

Unpaid representatives don’t need to be authorized or certified. They can be:

  • family members
  • friends
  • anyone else who doesn’t charge you a fee

If you want to use an unpaid representative, you must:

An unpaid representative can:

  • help you open a PR portal account
  • fill out forms for you, but not sign them
  • communicate with us for you
  • help you prepare the documents you need to upload
  • answer questions about immigration forms

They can’t electronically sign the application for you.

After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.

If you’re getting help from someone who isn’t a representative

You don’t need to tell us that you’re getting help from someone as long as they don’t:

  • advise you on which program to apply for
  • complete or update your application as you
  • act as you when dealing with us

They can help you:

  • use our website to find information
  • access a computer, scanner or printer
  • navigate our portals and accounts in your presence
  • view and open electronic forms
  • download/upload documents
  • get your documents translated
  • make travel plans
If you want us to release information from your application to someone else

If you want us to give information from your application to someone else (not a representative)

  1. Download the Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) form.
  2. Complete and sign it (digitally or by hand).
  3. Get the person who needs your information to sign it too.
  4. Upload it with your application.

2. Get your forms and documents ready

Use the appropriate document checklist to make sure you prepare a complete application.

For Investors and Entrepreneurs

Use the document checklist (IMM 5722)

For Self-Employed Persons

Use the Document Checklist (IMM 5784)

Digital forms you’ll fill out in the portal

You’ll fill out these forms in the PR portal (for yourself, and any family members aged 18 years or older):

PDF forms you’ll upload in the portal

Additional application forms

If you have a common-law partner

Fill out and upload the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)(opens in a new tab) . You need to prove you’ve been living with your partner for at least 1 year consecutively. You can do this by including documents with both of your names like:

  • copies of joint bank account statements
  • copies of leases
  • utility bills, etc.

You and your partner must read the declaration and sign the form by hand.

If a minor child is immigrating without both parents/guardians

Fill out and upload the Separation Declaration for Minors Travelling to Canada (IMM 5604)(opens in a new tab) .

The parent or guardian who isn’t accompanying the minor must sign this form by hand in front of a notary public.

Supporting documents

Get your documents translated and certified if they’re not in English or French

Each supporting document that isn’t in English or French must have 2 parts:

  1. an English or French translation that’s:
    • stamped by a certified translator
      • Their certification must be confirmed by a seal or stamp that shows the translator’s membership number.
      • The translator should also photocopy your original document and stamp it if that’s what they based the translation on.
      • All stamps and seals that aren’t in English or French must also be translated.
      • You can include a scanned copy of a letter explaining that you don’t need an affidavit because you used a certified translator.
    • accompanied by an affidavit from the person who completed the translation, swearing that their translation is true and accurate,
      • The affidavit must be signed in the presence of an authorized person
      • Use this option only if a translation cannot be completed by a certified translator.
      • Both the translated document and the original document the translator worked from must be referred to in the affidavit.
  1. a scan of the original document, or a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document, that the translator worked from.
    • You only need to provide a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document if the translation was based on the certified photocopy.
Who cannot translate documents?
  • Your family members
  • Your immigration representative or consultant

Get copies of documents certified

To have a copy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare it to the original document and print the following on the copy:

  •  “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”
  •  the name of the original document
  •  the date of the certification
  •  the name of the authorized person
  •  their official position or title
  •  their signature
Who can certify copies and be the witness to an affidavit

In Canada, examples of authorized persons who can certify the copies of your original documents and be the witness to an affidavit include:

Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Check with your provincial or territorial authorities to be sure who can certify your documents.

Outside Canada, each country has different authorities to certify documents. A notary public may be able to certify your documents, but you should check with your local authorities to be sure.

Who cannot certify copies or be the witness to an affidavit

An authorized person can’t certify a copy of a document or be the witness to an affidavit if they’re also:

  •  the principal applicant or the applicant’s sponsor (if this applies)
  •  a family member of the principal applicant or the applicant’s sponsor (parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin)
Travel documents and passports Required

You must upload copies for:

  • You
  • Your spouse or common-law partner
  • Your dependant children

Include pages which show:

  • the passport number
  • date of issue and expiry
  • the photo, name, date and place of birth
  • any changes to the name, date of birth, expiration

You must hold a valid regular passport. It can’t be a diplomatic, official, service or public affairs passport.

If you live outside the country that issued your passport

Include a scanned copy of your visa for the country you’re living in.

Identity and civil status documents (including birth certificates) Required

You must provide the following documents for you and your spouse or common-law partner:

  • birth certificates
  • legal documents showing name or date of birth changes (if applicable)
  • marriage certificate(s), final divorce or annulment certificate(s)
    • If you have been married more than once, include certificates from each marriage and divorce or annulment you, your spouse or common-law partner have had.
  • death certificate for former spouse(s) or common-law partner(s) (if applicable)
  • national IDs, family/household registry/book (if applicable)
Police certificate(s) Required

You need to submit a police certificate for each country you’ve lived in for 6 months or more in a row since the age of 18. You can wait until we request them, but this may delay your application processing.

Police certificates are usually valid for 1 year from the date they’re issued.

Photo(s) Required

You need 1 photo for yourself and 1 for each member of your family, even if they aren’t coming to Canada.

The photo can’t be older than 6 months when you apply.

Check our photo requirements.

Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) Required

Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) will send you this document if they accept your application.

Include a scanned copy with your permanent residence application.

  • Your CSQ stays valid until we make a decision on your application, even if it has expired.
  • As of 2018, the MIFI no longer renews CSQs.

3. Pay your fees

You have to pay your fees online(opens in a new tab)  and include your receipt with your application.

Processing fees You need to pay processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.
Right of permanent residence fee You need to pay the right of permanent residence fee before your application is approved.
Biometrics fee Pay your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) fee when you submit your application to avoid delays.
Other fees

Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for a:

4. Submit your completed application

Before you submit your application, make sure you:

  • answer all questions
  • sign (if needed) and upload all your forms
  • upload all your supporting documents

If your application is incomplete, we’ll reject it. You’ll have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.

Page details

2026-03-12