Sequence, not just a list
A list tells you what you need. A sequence tells you when each item must start. Financial documents and English-test scores usually gate everything else.
Items with fixed lead times
Passport issuance, English test booking, transcript requests from your university, and financial-document certification all have lead times outside your control.
Keep an upload trail
Name files consistently, keep one master folder, and never send an original document anywhere you cannot track.
How this article is maintained
Guides are reviewed each admission cycle. Statements that depend on policy carry a date, and anything unconfirmed is labelled rather than stated.