Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Express Entry can be an exciting moment.

After spending time improving your CRS score, preparing your language test, gathering documents and waiting for a draw, you may finally receive the message you were hoping for:

“You have been invited to apply for permanent residence.”

But an ITA is not the same as receiving Canadian permanent residence.

It means you have been invited to submit a complete application for permanent residence. You must still provide the required information and supporting documents and meet the applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements.

What Is an Express Entry Invitation to Apply?

An Invitation to Apply, commonly called an ITA, is an invitation issued to an eligible Express Entry candidate selected from the pool.

Candidates are generally ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and invitations are issued according to the applicable draw and program requirements.

Receiving an ITA means your profile has been selected in an Express Entry round of invitations.

What Should I Do Immediately After Receiving an ITA?

The first step is to carefully review the information in your Express Entry profile and compare it with the documents you will use for your permanent residence application.

Do not rush simply because you have received an invitation.

Instead, check:

• Your personal information
• Work experience
• Education history
• Language test results
• Family information
• Marital status
• Travel history
• Address history
• Immigration history
• Information that contributed to your CRS score

Your final application should accurately reflect your current circumstances.

How Long Do I Have to Apply After Receiving an ITA?

After receiving an ITA, you have a limited period to submit your complete permanent residence application.

The exact deadline is shown in your Express Entry account and should be treated as an important application deadline.

If you do not submit your application within the applicable period, the invitation can expire.

For this reason, it is a good idea to start organizing your documents as soon as you receive the ITA.

What Documents Are Required After an Express Entry ITA?

The exact document checklist depends on your individual circumstances and the program under which you are being invited.

Documents may include:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Language test results
• Educational Credential Assessment, where applicable
• Educational documents
• Employment reference letters
• Proof of work experience
• Police certificates
• Proof of funds, where required
• Medical examination information
• Civil-status documents
• Marriage certificate, where applicable
• Birth certificates, where applicable
• Provincial nomination documents, where applicable
• Additional documents requested by IRCC

Your personalized document checklist should be used as the primary guide for your application.

Do I Need a Police Certificate After Receiving an ITA?

Police certificates may be required.

IRCC may require police certificates for countries where you have lived for the required period, depending on the applicable rules and your age and circumstances.

Police certificates can sometimes take time to obtain, so applicants should start checking the requirements early rather than waiting until the application deadline is approaching.

Do I Need a Medical Exam After Receiving an ITA?

Medical examination requirements depend on the applicant and the immigration program.

If a medical examination is required, you must follow IRCC’s instructions regarding when and how to complete it.

Medical examinations must generally be completed with an approved panel physician.

Do I Need Proof of Funds After Receiving an ITA?

It depends on the immigration program and your circumstances.

Certain Express Entry applicants are required to demonstrate that they have sufficient settlement funds.

However, some applicants may be exempt from the proof-of-funds requirement, such as certain candidates with qualifying Canadian employment and a valid job offer, subject to the applicable rules.

Always check the current IRCC requirements for your specific situation.

What Happens If My Information Has Changed Since I Created My Express Entry Profile?

This is very important.

Your circumstances may change between entering the Express Entry pool and receiving an ITA.

For example:

• You changed jobs
• You gained additional work experience
• Your language test expired or changed
• You got married
• You had a child
• Your spouse’s circumstances changed
• Your education changed
• Your passport information changed

These changes should be carefully reviewed before submitting the permanent residence application.

Can My CRS Score Change After Receiving an ITA?

Yes, your circumstances can affect your CRS score and eligibility.

The information you provide in your permanent residence application must be accurate and supported by evidence.

If a change in your circumstances means you no longer meet the applicable requirements or your ranking would have been different, this needs to be addressed appropriately.

An ITA should not be treated as a guarantee that permanent residence will be approved.

Can I Update My Express Entry Profile After Receiving an ITA?

After receiving an ITA, you move from the Express Entry profile stage to the permanent residence application stage.

Rather than assuming that every profile detail can simply be changed without consequences, applicants should carefully assess any changes and how they affect their eligibility and CRS score.

If information in your profile was incorrect, incomplete or has changed, it is important to address it honestly in the application.

What Happens If I Cannot Provide a Document?

Sometimes an applicant may have difficulty obtaining a required document.

Do not simply ignore the missing document.

Depending on the circumstances, you may need to provide an explanation and supporting evidence showing why the document cannot be obtained.

Whether an alternative document or explanation is acceptable depends on the specific requirement and circumstances.

What Happens After I Submit My Express Entry Application?

Once your complete permanent residence application is submitted, IRCC processes the application.

Processing can involve reviewing:

• Eligibility
• Supporting documents
• Medical requirements
• Police certificates
• Background checks
• Admissibility
• Other information relevant to the application

IRCC may contact you if additional information or documents are required.

Can IRCC Request More Documents After Submission?

Yes.

Submitting your application does not necessarily mean you will never hear from IRCC again.

An officer may request additional documents or information if clarification is needed during processing.

If you receive a request, carefully review the instructions and respond within the specified timeframe.

How Long Does Express Entry PR Processing Take After an ITA?

Processing times can change and are not guaranteed.

The time required can depend on factors such as:

• Application completeness
• Background checks
• Verification of documents
• Medical processing
• Security and admissibility checks
• Additional document requests
• IRCC workload and other circumstances

Applicants should check the current IRCC processing-time information rather than relying on an old estimate.

What Happens If My Express Entry Application Is Approved?

If IRCC approves your permanent residence application, you will receive instructions regarding the next steps for becoming a permanent resident.

Depending on your circumstances, this can involve receiving a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, where applicable, a permanent resident visa.

The exact process depends on your situation and where you are applying from.

What If My Express Entry Application Is Refused?

Receiving an ITA does not guarantee approval.

An application can be refused if the applicant does not meet the applicable eligibility or admissibility requirements or if there are other issues with the application.

This is why the post-ITA stage should be treated as an important application stage rather than simply a formality.

Express Entry ITA: What Should You Do Next?

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after receiving an Express Entry ITA?

You must prepare and submit your permanent residence application within the applicable deadline. This includes providing the required forms, documents, police certificates, medical information and other evidence relevant to your circumstances.

Is an Express Entry ITA a guarantee of PR?

No. An ITA is an invitation to submit an application. You must still meet the applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements.

How long do I have to submit my PR application after an ITA?

Your Express Entry account will show the applicable submission deadline. You should prepare your documents early and submit the complete application before that deadline.

Can my CRS score change after receiving an ITA?

Changes to your circumstances can affect your eligibility or ranking. Your permanent residence application must accurately reflect your current circumstances and the information used to receive the invitation.

Do I need a medical exam after receiving an ITA?

Medical requirements depend on your circumstances and the applicable IRCC instructions.

Do I need proof of funds after receiving an ITA?

Some applicants are required to provide proof of settlement funds, while others may be exempt depending on the applicable Express Entry program and circumstances.

Can I add my spouse after receiving an ITA?

Changes in marital or family status can affect an Express Entry application and should be disclosed accurately. Adding a spouse can also affect factors such as CRS and documentation requirements.

What if my language test expires after I receive an ITA?

Language-test validity is an important part of an Express Entry application. If your test is close to expiring or has expired, carefully review the applicable IRCC requirements before submitting your application.

Can I decline an Express Entry ITA?

If you are not ready or no longer meet the applicable requirements, you should carefully consider your options rather than submitting an application containing inaccurate information.

Final Thoughts

Receiving an Express Entry ITA is a major step, but it is not the final step toward Canadian permanent residence.

The next stage is about turning the information in your Express Entry profile into a complete, accurate and well-supported permanent residence application.

Before submitting, make sure you understand:

• What information you claimed in your Express Entry profile
• What documents support that information
• Whether your circumstances have changed
• What additional documents are required
• Whether you still meet the applicable eligibility requirements
• What your application deadline is

An ITA opens the door — your complete application still needs to meet the requirements.

Canadian immigration rules and processing procedures can change. Always review the latest IRCC instructions before submitting your application.