When submitting a permanent residence application through Express Entry, you must monitor the expiration dates of three critically important documents. If even one of them expires by the time you submit, your application will be returned with a requirement to redo the documentation.
Medical Examination: 12 Months From the Date of the Exam
Medical examination is a mandatory requirement for Express Entry. Its validity period is 12 months from the date of the examination.
If you had an examination done previously, do not assume it automatically remains valid. Check the date: when submitting your complete application, the document must still be within its validity period.
During the medical examination, you will receive an IME number, which you will need to attach to your application. Make sure this number is included in your documents when you submit your permanent residence application.
Education Assessment Report: 5 Years From the Date of Issuance
If you received education outside Canada and are using education points in Express Entry, you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. Its validity period is 5 years from the date of issuance.
Education assessments are conducted by accredited organizations, such as WES and others. The report must be valid both when creating your profile and when submitting your complete application.
The purpose for which you order the report is of great importance. Make sure that when obtaining your ECA, you selected “immigration purposes” — this is a critical moment. Many applications are rejected precisely because the purpose was specified incorrectly. According to IRCC, the education assessment report must be issued no later than the day you created your Express Entry profile.
Language Test Results: 2 Years From the Date of the Exam
Language test results must be valid at the time you submit your profile and when submitting your complete application. The validity period is 2 years from the date of the exam.
For English, IELTS, PTE Core, or CELPIP results are recognized. For French — TOEFL, TEF, or TCF.
When you took the test, a specific date was indicated in the report. This date is the starting point for the two-year validity period. If this period expires before you submit your application, the results will no longer be valid, and your application will be returned.
What Happens When Deadlines Expire
If even one of these three documents expires by the time you submit your permanent residence application, IRCC will return your application with a requirement to redo the documentation. You will lose the time and money you have already spent on the submission.
Check the dates of issue for all documents before creating your profile, and especially before submitting your complete application. Make sure each document remains valid on the day of submission and has the necessary buffer for deadlines.
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