After IRCC requested an IELTS proficiency result upload within 7 days, an applicant asked whether they should photograph their emailed result and upload it, and whether others had actually uploaded the document.
What the group shared, two different approaches:- Most people scan and upload the actual document as a PDF. One member noted you can use a phone app that takes a photo and saves it directly as a PDF, which works fine for this kind of upload.
- One member didn't upload the document at all — they simply entered the TRF (Test Report Form) number, test date, and band scores directly into the application fields, and weren't asked to submit the file separately.
Practical takeaway:- The safer default is to scan your IELTS TRF into a clean PDF and upload it when requested — this is what most applicants do and matches IRCC's typical document request.
- If the application only has fields for your TRF number, date, and scores (without an upload requirement), entering that data may be sufficient — but if IRCC explicitly requests an upload (as in this case), follow that instruction rather than relying on this exception.
- Use a proper scanning app rather than a raw photo, so the PDF is clear and legible.