Applying for a Canadian visa from Nepal — whether for student, work, spousal sponsorship, or permanent residency — requires careful preparation of your supporting documents. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has specific requirements for translations and certified copies of documents from Nepal. Understanding these requirements ensures your application is complete and avoids the common mistake of submitting incorrectly certified documents that lead to delays or refusals. Hamro Notary provides certified translations and notarized copies for Canadian visa applications from Kathmandu, prepared to meet IRCC standards.
IRCC Document Requirements for Nepali Applicants
IRCC requires that all documents not in English or French be accompanied by a certified English or French translation. For Nepali documents, an English certified translation is the standard requirement. IRCC’s translation requirements specify:
- The translation must be a complete and accurate translation of the original — no content can be omitted
- The translator must certify that they are competent in both languages and that the translation is accurate
- IRCC does not maintain a list of approved translators, but the translator must not be the applicant, the applicant’s family member, or the immigration consultant
- In Nepal, the standard accepted practice is certified translation by a qualified translator with a notary seal
Certified Translation Requirements for IRCC
For your Canadian visa application, the following documents from Nepal typically require certified English translation:
- Birth certificate — Nepali birth certificates with Bikram Sambat dates must be translated with AD date conversion
- Marriage certificate — For spousal sponsorship, partner visa, and family class applications
- Police clearance certificate — Canada requires PCC from every country where you have lived for 6+ months since age 16; Nepal PCC needs certified translation
- Academic certificates and transcripts — For study permit, Express Entry, and skilled worker applications
- Employment letters and income documents — Salary certificates, experience letters, and NOC (No Objection Certificates) from employers if in Nepali
- Citizenship card (nagarikta) — Sometimes requested as supporting identity document
- Court or legal documents — Divorce decrees, custody orders, or any legal document in Nepali
Notarized Copies for Canadian Visa Applications
In addition to certified translations, IRCC sometimes requests notarized true copies of original documents. A notarized copy is a photocopy certified by a Notary Public as a true and accurate copy of the original. This is different from a certified translation — a notarized copy is for documents that already have English content (like a passport) or as an authenticated backup of the original.
Hamro Notary provides notarized true copies of all types of documents. For the Canadian visa application, we typically provide: notarized copy of the original Nepali document + certified English translation attached — creating a complete package that IRCC can verify.
Common Canadian Visa Types and Document Requirements
| Visa Type | Key Documents from Nepal Needing Translation |
|---|---|
| Student Permit (Study Permit) | Academic transcripts, degree certificates, financial documents |
| Work Permit (LMIA-based) | Educational credentials, professional certificates, PCC |
| Express Entry (PR — FSW, CEC, FST) | Academic transcripts, PCC, birth certificate, marriage certificate |
| Spousal Sponsorship (PR) | Marriage certificate, birth certificates, relationship evidence |
| Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents) | Birth certificate (to prove relationship), financial documents |
| Visitor Visa (TRV) | Usually minimal; bank statements if in Nepali |
The Process at Hamro Notary for Canadian Visa Documents
Bring All Original Nepali Documents
Visit Hamro Notary at Naramaya Bhawan, Chabahil, Kathmandu (Sunday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM) with all original documents requiring translation or notarization. Bring every document IRCC has requested or that you plan to include in your application package.
Translation and Notarization
We produce certified English translations for all Nepali-language documents. Each translation includes a signed certification statement meeting IRCC standards. Our registered Notary Public seals and signs each translation certification under the authority of the Notary Public Council of Nepal.
MoFA Attestation (If Required)
IRCC does not generally require MoFA attestation for Canadian visa applications. However, for immigration categories where credential evaluation is required (WES, ICAS), the credential evaluator may request MoFA-attested documents. Check with your immigration consultant or the evaluating body before ordering MoFA attestation for Canadian applications.
Preparing Documents for a Canadian Visa?
Hamro Notary provides IRCC-accepted certified translations and notarized copies. Walk-in Sunday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM at Chabahil.
Start My Canadian Visa Documents →Fees and Turnaround
| Service | Fee (NPR) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Certified translation (per page) | NPR 1,000 – 1,500 | 1–2 business days |
| Notarized copy (per document) | NPR 500 – 800 | Same day |
| Rush same-day service | +50% surcharge | Same day by 5 PM |
| MoFA attestation (if needed) | NPR 500 + govt fee | +1–3 business days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IRCC require a specific translator certification body, like OTTIAQ (for Quebec)?
OTTIAQ (Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec) certification is required for Quebec-specific immigration processes (CSQ applications). For federal Canadian immigration applications (Express Entry, spousal sponsorship, study permits), IRCC accepts certified translations from qualified translators with a signed certification statement — no specific accreditation body membership is required. Our translations meet this standard.
I am applying for WES evaluation — does WES accept Hamro Notary translations?
WES (World Education Services) accepts certified translations from qualified translators for documents submitted alongside credential evaluation requests. However, WES also typically requires your transcripts to be sent directly from the issuing institution (e.g., Tribhuvan University) to WES, separate from your certified translations. Check WES’s Nepal-specific instructions for the current document submission requirements.
My birth certificate shows my date of birth in Bikram Sambat — will Canadian immigration accept the converted date?
Yes. IRCC accepts certified translations that convert Bikram Sambat dates to Gregorian (AD) dates, provided the translation clearly states the original B.S. date and the AD conversion. Our translations always include both dates and explicitly note the calendar conversion, which satisfies IRCC’s requirements.
Do I need to get my police clearance certificate attested by MoFA for Canadian immigration?
For most Canadian federal immigration applications, MoFA attestation on the Nepal PCC translation is not required — IRCC accepts a notary-certified translation directly. However, if your immigration consultant or specific program requires MoFA, we can arrange that. For standard Express Entry and study permit applications, notarized translation without MoFA is the norm.
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