Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residence
Candidates selected through Express Entry receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) generally conducts Express Entry draws approximately every two weeks.
Once an ITA is issued, the candidate must submit a complete permanent residence application to IRCC within the specified timeframe.
What Is an Invitation to Apply (ITA)?
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is an official electronic invitation issued by IRCC to selected candidates in the Express Entry pool, allowing them to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
ITAs are issued during Express Entry draws, where IRCC selects candidates based on priority criteria from the pool of individuals who have submitted an Expression of Interest.
An ITA should not be confused with:
Eligibility to enter the Express Entry pool
A job offer from a Canadian employer
A provincial nomination certificate
The ITA is an automatically generated letter sent directly to a candidate’s Express Entry online profile.
How an ITA Is Issued
Only candidates who meet the minimum eligibility requirements of a federal economic immigration program can enter the Express Entry pool. Once in the pool, candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
CRS scores are calculated based on:
Core human capital factors
Spouse or common-law partner factors (if applicable)
Skill transferability factors
Additional factors such as:
A provincial nomination
A qualifying job offer
Canadian study experience
A sibling in Canada
French language ability
The CRS has a maximum score of 1,200 points.
During each draw, IRCC announces a minimum CRS cut-off score and issues ITAs to candidates whose scores meet or exceed that threshold.
Documents Required After Receiving an ITA
Candidates who receive an ITA must submit government processing fees and a complete set of supporting documents.
Mandatory Documents
Valid passport
Birth certificate
Language test results
Proof of work experience
Police clearance certificate(s)
Upfront medical examination receipt
Photographs of the principal applicant and accompanying family members
Additional Documents (if applicable)
Canadian educational credential or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Letter of attestation
Official academic transcripts
Secondary education certificates
Job offer letter from a Canadian employer
Proof of family relationships in Canada
Proof of settlement funds
Legal name or date-of-birth change documents
Marriage certificate(s)
Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union and proof of cohabitation
Divorce, annulment, or death certificates (if applicable)
Children’s birth certificates
Adoption or custody documents
Travel documents (non-passport)
Certificate of qualification for skilled trades
Employment contracts or pay slips
Income tax-related documents
Document requirements vary depending on the immigration program and the details provided in the Express Entry profile.
Misrepresentation and Its Consequences
Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information in an Express Entry profile or permanent residence application is considered misrepresentation.
Misrepresentation can result in:
Application refusal
A five-year ban from applying for Canadian immigration
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all information and documents submitted are accurate and genuine, even if a third party prepared or provided the information.
Misrepresentation may occur whether or not the false information was provided intentionally.
Examples of Misrepresentation
Submitting documents obtained through a third party that later prove to be false
Declaring no criminal history when a background check reveals otherwise
Applicants may be given an opportunity to respond to concerns raised by IRCC, but prevention through accuracy is essential.
Accepting an ITA
After an ITA is issued, the candidate has 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.
Due to this limited timeframe, candidates are strongly advised to prepare required documents in advance.
If the application is not submitted within 60 days:
The ITA becomes invalid
The candidate must submit a new Express Entry profile to be considered again
Once all documents are uploaded and the application is submitted, IRCC automatically issues an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR).
IRCC aims to process Express Entry applications within six months from the date of submission.
Expiry of an ITA
If no application is submitted and the ITA is not declined within 60 days, it will expire automatically.
Candidates who wish to continue pursuing Express Entry must:
Create and submit a new Express Entry profile
Meet the minimum eligibility criteria again
Declining an ITA
Candidates may choose to decline an ITA.
If declined:
The profile is returned to the Express Entry pool
The candidate may be considered in future draws, provided eligibility requirements are still met
Declining an ITA does not negatively affect future chances of receiving another invitation. However, there is no guarantee of receiving a future ITA.
Professional Guidance
Navigating the Express Entry system and responding to an ITA requires accuracy, preparation, and a clear understanding of IRCC requirements.
Career Education Consultancy provides expert guidance to help candidates:
Strengthen their Express Entry profiles
Prepare documents in advance
Respond confidently and correctly after receiving an ITA