Getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) Canada | Express Entry
Express Entry applicants who meet the Minimum Entry Criteria (MEC) and register with the Job Bank automatically enter the Express Entry Pool. Once in the pool, they become eligible to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under the Canada Immigration Program(s) for which they qualify based on the information declared in their Express Entry profile.
The ITA is an auto-generated correspondence sent via the applicant’s online account. It is issued to candidates with the highest scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in Express Entry draws, which are held regularly.
When a draw takes place, the system automatically invites eligible candidates under one of the following streams, in this order:
- Provincial Nominee Class (PNC)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)
Respond to Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If the Canadian Government issues you an invitation for Permanent Residence (PR), you will receive a message in your online account stating:
- The program you have been invited to apply for
- The next steps you need to take
You must provide proof of all details declared in your Express Entry profile. IRCC will assess the information to verify its accuracy.
Deadline for Responding to ITA
After receiving an ITA, you have 60 calendar days to:
Submit a completed Application for Permanent Residence (APR) using your online account, including all required supporting documents.
Document Checklist for Post ITA
Once you receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence of Canada through the Express Entry Program, you must submit the following documents (depending on your profile details):
-
Marriage License or Certificate (if applicable)
- If married in Canada: Provide a marriage certificate issued by the province or territory.
- If married outside Canada: The marriage must be legally valid under both the local and Canadian laws.
- If married in an embassy or consulate: It must comply with the host country's laws.
-
Passport or Travel Documents
Submit valid copies of all your passports or travel documents. If unavailable, provide an equivalent government-issued document that includes your name, date of birth, document number, citizenship or residency, photo, and expiry date. -
Medical Examination
Submit a report from panel-approved doctors. Validity: 1 year. Approximate fee: INR 5,000–9,000. -
Education (Degree/Diploma)
- Proof of post-secondary education such as diploma or degree certificate.
- Examples include trade training, technical professions, or university education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD).
-
Employment Records
Provide reference letters and payslips from all current and past employers.- Must be on company letterhead, signed by a supervisor, and include detailed job duties, title, dates, hours, and salary.
- Missing details may lead to red flags during assessment.
-
Police Certificates
Required for every country where you lived for six months or more. Valid for one year. -
Proof of Financial Capacity
Provide an official bank letter detailing all accounts, balances, debts, and investments from the past six months on the bank’s letterhead. -
Digital Photograph
Submit two digital photographs each of yourself and family members, following IRCC’s specifications. -
Proof of Language Proficiency
Submit your IELTS Test Report Form (TRF).
Decline the ITA
You may decline the ITA if:
- You are not ready to apply within 60 days, or
- You have become ineligible due to a change in circumstances.
Your Express Entry profile will remain active for the remainder of its validity period, and you may still be considered in future draws if you continue to meet the MEC.
If You Do Not Respond to the ITA
If you fail to submit a complete APR or decline the ITA within 60 days:
- The ITA will expire.
- You will not be considered in future draws.
- You must create a new profile to re-enter the Express Entry Pool.
Note: IRCC does not grant extensions beyond the 60-day deadline. Forgetting to check your account or missing the ITA notification is not a valid excuse.
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Frequently Asked Questions
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is an official invitation issued by IRCC to Express Entry candidates who meet or exceed the required CRS score in a draw. Once you receive an ITA, you can submit a complete application for permanent residence within 60 days. It’s the final step before applying for your PR visa.
To receive an ITA, you must first create an Express Entry profile and meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is compared with other candidates, and those with the highest scores are invited during regular Express Entry draws. Improving your CRS score increases your chances of getting an ITA.
Once you receive an ITA, you must log in to your IRCC account and submit a complete Application for Permanent Residence (APR) within 60 days. This includes uploading all supporting documents such as medical exams, police certificates, education credentials, and proof of funds. Missing the deadline means your ITA will expire.
If you decline your ITA, your profile remains active in the Express Entry pool until it expires. You can still be considered for future draws if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Declining an ITA does not negatively affect your chances in upcoming invitations.
If you fail to submit your application or decline the ITA within 60 days, the invitation automatically expires. You will need to create a new Express Entry profile to re-enter the pool. IRCC does not grant extensions, so it’s important to act promptly once you receive your ITA.
