Planning to work in Canada?
An essential workbook for newcomers

Section D – Work-related documents

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Introduction

This section of the workbook is designed to help you identify and locate documents that may be of importance to you in Canada before you come to Canada. It will also help you to assess the value, in Canada, of documents in your chosen field.

Any official documents that you can produce that demonstrate your educational record or professional training will be of value to you in your search for employment in Canada. Although international experience and education is not always directly transferable to the Canadian work environment, such documents will help you in most professional environments.

Step 1: My credentials

Using the form below, list all the documents related to your education and your experience that might help regulatory bodies, assessment agencies or employers understand your international qualifications. The list will include the following:

• Degrees, diplomas or certificates from universities, colleges, secondary schools or trade schools
• Program descriptions related to your studies
• Transcripts of grades
• Apprenticeship certificates
• Letters from employers
• Performance reviews
• Work descriptions for jobs you have done
• Letters of reference

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 the educational institution outside of Canada to an organization in Canada.

HELP

When submitting documents to a regulatory body, credential assessment agency or educational institution, check with them to find out which language (English or French) is needed.

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.

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

Where possible, it is best to have documents sent directly from schools or other organizations to Canada. This is something you can do before you leave for Canada. Contact the schools or other organizations where you studied or worked and ask them to send your documents directly to Canada.

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

HELP

Some organizations only accept documents that are sent directly from educational institutions. Contact the organizations listed in Section C – Step 3 and find out whether you need to make these arrangements. It may be easier to do this before you come to Canada.

Step 4: Getting documents translated

Will you need to translate any of these documents into English, French or both?

• Check the website or contact the organizations listed in Section C – Step 3 to determine the translation requirements.
• Note that you may also be required to use an approved translation service.

HELP

Make sure that your documents are translated by a qualified translation service. To find a qualified translation service, contact the provincially approved credential assessment agency in your province or territory.

Most of the documents you bring will have to be submitted in English or French. You will have to pay for translation if it is needed.

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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