Canada has always been on my destination list. The CN Tower in Toronto, the natural beauty of Vancouver, and the appearance of Montreal is a sight to behold. Between watching the city view from the CN Tower and attending the Tulip festival in the Netherlands, I’m not sure which one is top on that list anymore.
If you’re planning a trip to Canada, you’ll likely need a visa. But the application process can be a bit challenging if your documents are in a foreign language.
Like other countries, Canada requires all documents not in its official languages (English or French) to be translated regardless of the type of visa.
This means if your documents, such as birth certificates, or marriage certificates, are in Dutch, German, or any other language that’s not English or French, then you need to translate them before submitting your application.
Let’s look at everything you need to know about this in detail!
Types of Canada Visas
Canada visa can be categorized into two: Temporary and Permanent visas. For each category, there are different types of visas that you can get. The type of visa you apply for will depend on what you intend to do in the country.
1. Work visa
Also known as a work permit, this type of visa allows you to legally work in Canada for a period of time. But you must have a job offer from a Canadian company or business to apply. There are two main types of work visa: Employer-Specific Work Permits (tied to one job) and Open Work Permits (which let you work for any employer). The Employer-Specific Work Permit requires your employer to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove they need a foreign worker.
2. Student visa
In 2024, about 360,000 international student permits were issued in Canada. While that’s a 35% drop from the previous year, it reflects that Canada is still a top choice for global education.
If you’d like to make this year’s numbers, you need a student visa. To apply, you’ll need an acceptance letter from a Canadian school, proof of funds to cover tuition and living expenses, a clean criminal record, and medical clearance if required. The permit usually lasts for the duration of your study program plus an extra 90 days, giving you time to prepare to leave or apply for an extension.
Note: Your study permit is not a visa. Depending on your country of citizenship, you may also need a travel visa to enter Canada and reach the POE. Check your specific requirements before traveling.
3. Visitor visa
Thinking about vacation, shopping, tourism, or short business trips? A visitor visa is what you need. Also known as Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), it allows you to visit Canada for up to 6 months, but the immigration officer determines your length of stay upon entry (maybe they like your face, maybe they don’t, who knows!)
There are two types of visitor visas:
Single-Entry visa: With this you can enter Canada once, and then reapply for another visitor visa.
Multiple-Entry visa: You can enter and exit Canada as many times as you want within the visa’s validity period.
You’ll need to show proof of financial support, demonstrate your intent to return home after your visit, and provide travel documents such as a valid passport to apply. You may also need an invitation letter from a friend or family member in Canada.
4. Immigrant Visa
With an immigrant visa, you can live and work permanently in Canada. For example, if you have qualifications in a skilled trade such as plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry, you can apply through the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). There are different types of immigrant visa with various requirements. Be sure to research what you need for the one you’re applying for.
IRCC Translation Requirements
When submitting documents for official purposes, you can’t use uncertified, machine, or AI translations. Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has specific translation requirements for all official documents, which include:
- Language Requirements:
- Translations must be in either English or French, Canada’s official languages.
- Translation Details:
- The translation should include the same information in the original document, including stamps and seals.
- The translation must bear the seal or stamp of the certified translator.
- Certified Translator Requirements:
- The translator must be certified by a recognized professional body in Canada.
- They must be a member of a provincial or territorial organization such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO).
- If the translation is done outside Canada, the translator must be accredited by a relevant authority in their respective country.
- The translations must be done on official letterhead and signed by a certified translator.
- The translations should include the translator’s full name, signature, and contact information
IRCC needs accurate, credible translations to understand and verify the information you provide in your application.
Who Can Provide Certified Translations?
1. Certified Translators
Certified translators are professionals who have a certificate from a recognized translation body, such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) or other provincial organizations to provide official translations. They are proficient in both the source and target languages and must include a signed statement attesting to the accuracy of the document.
2. Accredited Translation Agencies
Many certified translators work with accredited agencies like Translayte for official document translation. Usually, these agencies have strict quality measures to ensure all documents meet legal requirements.
Types of Documents That Require Translation
All documents in a foreign language submitted for visa application will require translations. They include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Passports
- Diplomas,
- Academic transcripts
- Job contracts
- Medical certificates
- Court records
- Bank statements
- Tax records
The type of document you’re translating can affect the cost of translation. Typically, translation prices range from $0.10 – $0.50 per word to $25-$150 per page. Standard translations, such as letters, are cheaper than specialised translations, such as legal, medical, or financial documents.
How to Get Certified Translations For IRCC Applications
1. Choose a certified translator:
Hire someone who is a certified member of a recognised translation body in Canada and has experience in translating documents for immigration purposes, not your friendly English speaking neighbour. Check review sites and social media for their performance to determine their credibility. Alternatively, you can work with an accredited translation agency to save time.
2. Submit your documents
Once you have your translator, the next thing is to share your original document for translation. You can also upload it in PDF, DOC, JPG, PNG, or any other format for translation depending on the agency you use. Ensure your document is clear and legible to avoid errors during translation.
3. Translate
Literally. The translator will receive your document and translate into the required language. In this case, either English or French. A good translation mirrors the original document. This means, every stamp, seal, note, sign, or symbol in the original document is included in the translated document.
4. Review
You have to see if they did a good job, right? After the translation is done, review for any errors or omissions. The last thing you want to do is get a visa rejection because the letter A was mistranslated.
5. Obtain the certificate of accuracy
The translator will certify the translation by including their signature, the translation date, and a statement affirming that the translation is accurate and complete. They may also include their seal and certification number for further authenticity.
6. Run final checks
Before submitting your documents, check to see everything is attached properly. Your translated documents should be attached to either the original document or a certified copy of the original document. This ensures that the IRCC can authenticate the translation against the original.
Tips for Submitting Translated Documents
Here are some tips for you to ensure your documents are accepted;
1. Only use certified translators:
Not a translation tool or AI or machine translation. Always use a certified translator or translation agency to translate your documents. Also verify that the translator is a member of a professional body so you’re getting translations that will be approved.
2. Check for translator details:
It’s called a certified translation because the translated document must include a certification of translation accuracy, from the translator confirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation. This includes their full name, signature, and official stamp or seal.
3. Submit all documents together
Attach your translated documents to the original document to avoid confusion. The immigration officer likely has lots of documents to review, if they can’t understand your document, they may reject your application, leading to unnecessary delays that could have been avoided.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Translating Documents
At first, translations may seem pretty straightforward. Upload your documents to a translation tool and translate for free.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way and using translation tools is one of the many mistakes you can make when translating official documents.
Other mistakes include:
1. Using unqualified translators
According to IRCC, a certified translator is a member of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad. A translator who has not yet received certification is not considered a certified translator. Your family member or friend who is a native English or French speaker is also not considered a certified translator, unless they’re certified. Only request translations from certified translators or accredited translation agencies.
2. Incomplete translations
Every part of your document, including stamps, numbers, signatures, and lots more, should be translated. IRCC requires that your translations should be accurate. But it wouldn’t be if some parts are missing from it.
3. Self-translating documents
Immigration authorities in Canada and other countries do not accept translations done by the applicant, their family members, or anyone with a personal interest in the application. Translations must be completed by a certified translator who is accredited and recognised by a professional body.
4. Submitting documents separately
When submitting documents for your visa application, attach the translated document to the original document and your visa application form. If documents arrive at different times or in separate submissions, your application may be considered incomplete. To avoid this, always double-check application guidelines and ensure that both original and translated documents are organized and submitted together.
Conclusion
Certified translations can either make or mar your visa application. So be sure you have all the right documents accurately translated. If you need to know more about Canada’s translation requirements, you can reach out to me on LinkedIn.
