---
title: "Start an Application"
slug: "start-an-application"
description: "Start your college application by adding information about yourself. Once this is out of the way, you can start choosing your preferred college programs."
tags: ["Choose a college", "Citizenship", "How to apply"]
updated: 2026-04-01T20:53:33Z
published: 2026-04-01T20:53:33Z
canonical: "help.ocas.ca/start-an-application"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.ocas.ca/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Starting an Application

Now that you have an account and can log in, you can create an application to attend a post-secondary institution. You can begin by uploading your passport, adding details about yourself, and reviewing some information about the institution that you chose.

## Upload a Copy of Your Passport

- The first step in the process is to upload a copy of your passport document. Accepted formats are: PDF, JPG, PNG, or PMB.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Appl_Create_App_2_EN.jpg)

You only need to provide the passport information page, as shown in the following sample.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Agent_example_passport_1_EN.jpg)

The uploaded document is analyzed and your details are automatically entered.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Appl_Create_App_3_EN.jpg)

- Review all the details to ensure that the information matches the passport document.
- In the Other Applicant Details section, select a **Passport Country of Issue**.
- Confirm your email address.
- Select a **Current Status in Canada**.
- Select the “I am an applicant…” checkbox; then select **Continue**.

A Confirm dialogue box opens.

- Review all the details again to ensure that they are correct.
- When you are ready, select the acknowledgement checkbox, and then select **Continue**.

The Pre-Application Checklist opens.

The passport document provided is automatically included on the Supporting Documents page. You cannot remove the document or add another passport document.

## Review the Pre-Application Checklist

When you select an institution and add your passport, a pre-application checklist opens. The checklist displays information about the institution, such as how many programs you can apply to, admission requirements, program start dates, availability, and application fees.

![The Pre-Application checklist for the college that the applicant selected is displayed. The checklist includes links to availability and start date information, as well as admission requirements.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_New_Application_2_EN.jpg)

- Review the details, then select **Start my Application**.

## Add Personal Information

The next step in the application process is to add more details about yourself.

### Basic Information

- (Optional) Enter a **Title**; for example, Mr., Dr., or Miss.
- The **First Name** that you entered when you created your account is displayed. You can update it, if required.
- (Optional) If your legal name includes a middle name, you can add it.

To add more middle names, select **Add Another Middle Name**.

- The **Last Name** that you entered when you created your account is displayed. You can update it, if required.
- (Optional) If applicable, enter a **Suffix**; for example, a professional designation such as PhD.
- Confirm that the legal name is the same as what appears on your legal documentation, then select **Yes**.

![In the Basic Information section of the applicant's profile, the first name is Patti and the last name is Test. The applicant did not add a title, middle name, or suffix.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Basic_Info_1_EN.jpg)

- If you have a casual name or a nickname that you use, select **Add Casual Name**, enter the details, and select **Done**.
- Confirm that your **Date of Birth** is correct.
- Select your **Country of Birth**.
- Select a **Gender** identity.
- Select your **First Spoken Language**.

![The Basic Information section, where you can add a casual name, confirm your date of birth, and select country of birth, gender, and first language. The example applicant's date of birth is July 11, 1999. No other details have been added.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Basic_Info_2_EN.jpg)

### Citizenship

- The **Current Status in Canada** that you selected when your created your account is displayed. You can change it, if required.

- Status in Canada:
  - Select **No Status in Canada** if you are not in Canada and have no Visa status.
  - Select **Study Permit / Student Visa** if you are already in Canada on a Study Permit. (A copy of the Study Permit will be required.)
  - Select other options as necessary.

- Confirm the Primary Country of Citizenship that you entered when creating your account.
- Enter the **Passport Number**.
- Enter the expiry date of your passport.
- Select the country where your passport was issued.

![The Citizenship section displays No status in Canada, Albania is the country of citizenship, and AB876345 is the passport number. The example applicant has not added the passport expiry date or the country that issued their passport.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Citizenship_1_EN.jpg)

### Address

- Enter a valid mailing address.

![The Address section, where you add your mailing address. The example applicant has not entered their address yet.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Address_1_EN.jpg)

- For the question “Is your current address the same as your mailing address?”:

If you live and receive mail at your current address, select **Yes**.

If your current address (where you live) is different from your mailing address (where you receive your mail), select **No** and enter your current address.

!["No" is the selected response to the question: Is the applicant's current address the same as the applicant's mailing address? The address details for the example applicant have not been added yet.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Address_2_EN.jpg)

### Contact Information

- Enter at least one valid phone number.
- The email address that you entered when you created your account is displayed.

If required, you can enter more phone numbers or email addresses.

![In the Contact Information section, you can enter your phone number and email address. The example applicant added their email address, but no phone number.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Contact_Info_EN.jpg)

### Emergency Contact

- Enter the details of your emergency contact person.

![The Emergency Contact section, where you provide details about the person to be contacted in an emergency. The example applicant has not entered any emergency contact information.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Emergency_Contact_Info_EN.jpg)

- Select **Save + Continue**.

Make sure that you enter all the required information. Any missing or incomplete information is highlighted in red.

When you are finished, your profile will look something our example applicant’s:

![The Passport and Citizenship Information section of the example applicant's profile displays the details from their passport.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/98c48b39-7164-46f0-8769-e87df43b09f3/Images/Documentation/IAS_Appl_Create_App_4_EN.jpg)

## Watch a Video

This video shows an example of how to start an application and add your personal information. We used a test account on a test server to record the process.

[Embedded content](https://www.youtube.com/embed/MGvJ5vgJp8U)