The Complete Document Checklist for Migrating Abroad From a Developing Country

One of the most stressful parts of migrating is gathering the right documents. Miss a single item and your application can be delayed by months or rejected outright. If you are applying from Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Kenya, or any other developing country, this guide walks you through every document you are likely to need, why it matters, and how to get it.

Start collecting these documents as early as possible. Some items, such as police clearance certificates and credential assessments, can take 8 to 12 weeks to process.

1. Valid Passport

Your passport is the foundation of every immigration application. Most countries require that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned travel date, and some require 12 months.

What to check:

Is your name spelled correctly and consistently with your other documents?
Do you have at least two blank pages for visa stamps?
If your passport is expiring soon, renew it before you start the application process.

Tip for Nigerian applicants: The Nigerian Immigration Service has moved to online booking for passport renewals. Start early, as appointment slots fill quickly, especially in Lagos and Abuja.

2. Birth Certificate

You will need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate for most permanent residency and citizenship applications.

If you do not have one, contact your country's civil registry or vital statistics office.
In Nigeria, you can obtain a birth certificate from the National Population Commission (NPC).
In India, birth certificates are issued by the municipal corporation of the city where you were born.
Some countries accept a sworn affidavit if a birth certificate is genuinely unavailable.

3. Educational Certificates and Transcripts

Immigration authorities want to see proof of your qualifications. You will typically need:

Degree certificates (original or certified copies)
Academic transcripts showing subjects studied and grades earned
Professional licences or certifications if your occupation is regulated

Keep your transcripts sealed in the university's official envelope if possible. Some credential assessment organisations require transcripts to be sent directly from the institution.

4. Credential Assessment (Educational Equivalency)

Most countries do not accept foreign qualifications at face value. You need a third-party organisation to assess whether your degree is equivalent to a local qualification.

For Canada

World Education Services (WES) is the most commonly used agency for Express Entry. The process takes 20 to 35 business days after WES receives your documents.
You can also use IQAS, CES, or other designated organisations.

For Australia

VETASSESS handles skills assessments for most general occupations.
Trade occupations are assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
Health professionals go through AHPRA, engineers through Engineers Australia, and accountants through CPA Australia or CA ANZ.

For the UK

UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) provides a Statement of Comparability for foreign qualifications.

Important: Credential assessments can be the single longest step in your application. Start this process the moment you decide to migrate.

5. Work Experience Reference Letters

Points-based immigration systems (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) award points for relevant work experience. You need formal reference letters from every employer you want to claim experience from.

Each letter should include:

Company name, address, and contact details
Your job title and employment dates (start and end)
A description of your duties and responsibilities
Whether the position was full-time or part-time, and weekly hours worked
The letter must be on company letterhead and signed by a supervisor or HR representative

Common problems:

Previous employers have closed or cannot be contacted. In this case, gather payslips, tax records, or appointment letters as supporting evidence.
Letters that are too vague. Immigration officers want to see specific duties, not generic descriptions like "managed various projects."

6. Language Test Results

Most English-speaking destination countries require an approved language test:

IELTS (General Training or Academic)
PTE Academic
CELPIP (for Canada only)
TOEFL iBT (accepted by Australia and some other countries)
TEF / TCF (for French-language immigration to Canada or France)

IELTS and PTE scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. Plan your test date so the results are still valid when your application is assessed.

7. Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

A police clearance certificate proves that you have no criminal record. You need one from every country where you have lived for 6 months or more in the past 10 years.

How to obtain a PCC:

Nigeria: Apply through the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks.
India: Apply online through the Passport Seva portal. Police verification is required and can take 2 to 6 weeks.
Pakistan: Apply through the National Police Bureau via NADRA.
Egypt: Obtained from the Ministry of Interior's General Directorate for Civil Status.
Kenya: Apply online through the eCitizen portal.

PCCs typically expire 6 to 12 months after issuance, so do not get them too early.

8. Medical Examination Results

Most countries require a medical exam conducted by an approved panel physician. The exam typically includes:

Physical examination
Chest X-ray (to screen for tuberculosis)
Blood tests (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B in some cases)
Vaccination records (some countries require specific immunizations)

Finding a panel physician:

Canada: Use IRCC's online tool to find a designated medical practitioner (DMP) in your country.
Australia: Use the Bupa Medical Visa Services portal.
UK: The list of approved clinics is on the UK government website.
New Zealand: eMedical panel physicians are listed on Immigration New Zealand's site.

Medical exams cost between USD 100 and USD 300 depending on your country and the tests required.

9. Proof of Funds (Financial Evidence)

Many immigration programs require proof that you can support yourself financially upon arrival. This is not optional — applications are routinely refused for insufficient funds.

Canada (Express Entry)

A single applicant needs approximately CAD 14,690 (as of 2026). A family of four needs around CAD 27,000. You must show these funds have been in your account for at least 3 months.

Australia

Skilled visa applicants may need to declare funds, though the exact amount varies. Student visa applicants must show approximately AUD 24,500 per year for living costs.

UK (Skilled Worker)

You must show at least GBP 1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying, unless your employer certifies maintenance.

Acceptable evidence:

Bank statements (usually the last 6 months)
Fixed deposit certificates
Investment portfolio statements
A letter from your bank confirming account balances

Warning: Immigration officers in several countries are trained to spot "funds parking," where someone temporarily deposits a large sum before applying. They look for consistent balances, not sudden spikes.

10. Marriage Certificate and Family Documents

If you are including a spouse or dependents in your application:

Marriage certificate (original or certified copy)
Spouse's passport
Children's birth certificates
Custody documents if applicable
Proof of relationship (photos, communication records, joint financial accounts) for common-law partners

11. Photographs

Most applications require passport-sized photographs meeting specific dimensions and background colour requirements. Check the exact specifications for your destination country. Canada, for example, requires photos that are 50mm x 70mm with a white background, which is different from the standard passport photo size in many countries.

12. Additional Documents That May Be Required

Depending on your visa category, you might also need:

Job offer letter (for employer-sponsored visas)
Business registration documents (for entrepreneur or investor visas)
Property ownership documents (to demonstrate ties to your home country for temporary visas)
Statutory declarations or affidavits (to explain name changes, gaps in employment, or missing documents)
Translations — Any document not in English (or the official language of the destination country) must be translated by a certified or sworn translator.

Organising Your Documents

Make multiple certified copies of everything. Keep originals in a secure location.
Scan every document and save digital copies in cloud storage.
Use a checklist and tick off each item as you obtain it.
Label files clearly with your name, the document type, and the date.

Let NextMigrate Help You Get It Right

Missing or incorrect documents are one of the top reasons immigration applications are delayed or refused. NextMigrate's advisors can review your document checklist, flag gaps before you submit, and connect you with trusted credential assessment and translation services. Start your free eligibility check today and take the guesswork out of your migration journey.