Proper documentation is crucial for tech visa success. This comprehensive checklist ensures you have all required documents organized and ready for submission to any country.

Universal Documents (Required for All Countries)

Personal Identification

  • Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
  • Passport-style photographs (recent, meeting specific requirements)
  • Birth certificate (certified copy with apostille/legalization)
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable, certified and translated)
  • Divorce decree (if applicable, certified and translated)
  • Name change documents (if applicable)

Background Verification

  • Police clearance certificates (from all countries lived in 12+ months)
  • FBI background check (for US applicants or those who lived in US)
  • Military service records (if applicable)
  • Court records (if any legal issues, with explanations)

Health Documentation

  • Medical examination (by approved panel physicians)
  • Vaccination records (including COVID-19 if required)
  • Health insurance (proof of coverage or policy documents)
  • Medical history (for chronic conditions, with doctor’s letters)

Educational Credentials

Degree Documentation

  • University transcripts (official, sealed envelopes)
  • Degree certificates (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)
  • Diploma supplements (European education system)
  • Grade conversion charts (if different grading systems)

Credential Evaluation

  • WES evaluation (World Education Services - for Canada/US)
  • ENIC-NARIC recognition (for European countries)
  • NOOSR assessment (for Australia)
  • Country-specific evaluations (as required)

Professional Certifications

  • Technical certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.)
  • Professional licenses (if applicable to your field)
  • Industry certifications (PMP, CISSP, etc.)
  • Continuing education (recent training certificates)

Professional Experience

Employment Documentation

  • Employment letters (on company letterhead, detailed job descriptions)
  • Contracts (current and previous employment contracts)
  • Pay stubs (recent 3-6 months)
  • Tax returns (last 2-3 years)
  • Bank statements (showing salary deposits)

Reference Letters

  • Supervisor references (detailed letters about your work)
  • Colleague recommendations (peer testimonials)
  • Client testimonials (if applicable)
  • Professional references (from industry contacts)

Portfolio Documentation

  • Project descriptions (detailed technical contributions)
  • Code samples (if allowed and relevant)
  • Publications (research papers, articles)
  • Patents (if applicable)
  • Awards and recognition (professional achievements)

Financial Documentation

Personal Finances

  • Bank statements (last 6 months, all accounts)
  • Investment statements (stocks, bonds, retirement accounts)
  • Property ownership (real estate documents)
  • Income tax returns (last 2-3 years)
  • Accountant’s letter (verifying financial status)

Employer Financial Support

  • Job offer letter (detailed salary and benefits)
  • Employment contract (signed agreement)
  • Company financial statements (if required)
  • Sponsorship letter (employer’s commitment)

Country-Specific Documents

United States (H-1B/O-1)

  • Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker)
  • LCA (Labor Condition Application)
  • Specialty occupation evidence (job-degree relationship)
  • Prevailing wage determination
  • Company support letter

Germany (EU Blue Card)

  • Residence permit application
  • Employment contract (meeting salary thresholds)
  • University degree recognition
  • German language certificate (if required)
  • Accommodation proof

Canada (Global Talent Stream)

  • Work permit application
  • LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
  • Provincial nomination (if applicable)
  • Language test results (IELTS/CELPIP)
  • Educational credential assessment

UK (Global Talent)

  • Endorsement application (Tech Nation)
  • Visa application form
  • Evidence of exceptional talent/promise
  • TB test results (from approved clinics)
  • Financial requirement evidence

Australia (Global Talent)

  • Expression of Interest
  • Skills assessment (if required)
  • Nomination evidence
  • Health examinations
  • Character requirements

Singapore (Tech.Pass)

  • Application form
  • Salary evidence (meeting minimum thresholds)
  • Company information (if employed)
  • Business plan (if entrepreneur)
  • Track record evidence

Document Preparation Guidelines

Translation Requirements

  • Certified translations (by approved translators)
  • Original language documents (keep originals)
  • Translation certificates (translator credentials)
  • Notarization (if required by destination country)

Legalization/Apostille

  • Apostille certificates (for Hague Convention countries)
  • Embassy legalization (for non-Hague countries)
  • Consular authentication (additional verification)
  • Chain of authentication (multiple levels if required)

Document Organization

  • Chronological order (organize by date)
  • Category separation (group by document type)
  • Index/table of contents (for large applications)
  • Digital copies (scan all documents)
  • Multiple copies (prepare extras for interviews)

Digital Document Management

Scanning and Storage

  • High-resolution scans (300 DPI minimum)
  • PDF format (searchable PDFs preferred)
  • Cloud backup (secure online storage)
  • Local backup (external drive storage)
  • Version control (track document updates)

File Naming Convention

  • Consistent naming (use standardized format)
  • Date stamps (include document dates)
  • Category prefixes (education, employment, etc.)
  • Version numbers (track revisions)

Timeline for Document Collection

6 Months Before Application

  • Police clearances (start early, can take months)
  • Educational evaluations (credential assessment services)
  • Medical examinations (schedule with approved doctors)
  • Translation services (for non-English documents)

3 Months Before Application

  • Employment documentation (request from current/former employers)
  • Financial statements (gather recent bank statements)
  • Reference letters (request from professional contacts)
  • Portfolio preparation (compile project documentation)

1 Month Before Application

  • Final document review (check completeness)
  • Legalization/apostille (complete authentication process)
  • Application forms (complete all required forms)
  • Fee payment (prepare payment methods)

Quality Control Checklist

Document Verification

  • Accuracy check (verify all information is correct)
  • Completeness review (ensure no missing documents)
  • Consistency check (information matches across documents)
  • Date verification (ensure documents are current)

Professional Review

  • Immigration lawyer review (for complex cases)
  • Consultant verification (professional document check)
  • Peer review (have colleague check documents)
  • Native speaker review (for translated documents)

Common Documentation Mistakes to Avoid

Timing Errors

  • Expired documents: Check validity dates
  • Outdated information: Ensure current employment/address
  • Missing deadlines: Submit before expiration dates
  • Rush translations: Allow time for quality translations

Format Issues

  • Wrong photo specifications: Follow exact requirements
  • Incorrect document sizes: Use required paper sizes
  • Poor scan quality: Ensure clear, readable copies
  • Missing signatures: Verify all required signatures

Content Problems

  • Incomplete information: Fill all required fields
  • Inconsistent details: Ensure information matches across documents
  • Missing explanations: Provide context for gaps or issues
  • Insufficient evidence: Provide comprehensive supporting documentation

Emergency Document Replacement

Lost or Damaged Documents

  • Replacement procedures (know how to get duplicates)
  • Emergency contacts (embassies, universities, employers)
  • Expedited services (rush processing options)
  • Alternative documentation (backup evidence options)

Last-Minute Issues

  • Document courier services (for urgent delivery)
  • Digital submission options (if available)
  • Extension requests (if more time needed)
  • Professional assistance (emergency legal help)

Remember: Start document collection early, maintain organized records, and always keep multiple copies of important documents. Proper documentation is often the difference between visa approval and rejection.