7 min

Getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under Express Entry Canada means you’ve cleared a major hurdle. But it also starts a new one

Now you need to back up your profile with real documents, and you have just 60 days to do it.

At this point, it’s not about points anymore. Immigration officers will expect every claim you make—from your education to your work experience—to be verified with paperwork. That includes police certificates, test scores, bank statements, and more.

Many applicants assume this step is routine. It isn’t.

The ITA Canada immigration stage is where files get delayed, flagged, or refused—often because something small was missed.

This guide walks you through each part of the process so you know what to prepare, how to submit it, and where problems usually occur. If your goal is permanent residency, how you handle this next step matters.

What Is an ITA in the Express Entry Process for Canada?

In the Express Entry Canada system, an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is a formal notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you’re eligible to submit a complete application for permanent residence. It’s not automatic, and it doesn’t go to everyone in the pool—only candidates who meet the current selection criteria will receive one.

IRCC issues ITAs through periodic draws from the Express Entry pool. These draws target specific program categories—such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Provincial Nominee Program—and they set a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. If your profile score meets or exceeds that cut-off, and you’re eligible under one of the targeted categories, you may be selected.

The ITA is issued through your online Express Entry profile. Once received, you’ll see a message in your account with a 60-day countdown to submit your application. Timing and score both matter here. Even one point below the cut-off can mean waiting for the next round.

Step-by-Step: Canada PR Process After ITA

An ITA gives you a chance to apply for permanent residence. From this point, everything you submit must match what’s in your Express Entry profile. IRCC expects your application within 60 days—no extensions.

Step 1: Accepting Your ITA (Within 60 Days)

Log in to your IRCC account and review the invitation. If you’re ready, accept it. The clock starts the moment you do. If you’re not prepared, you can decline. This won’t affect future eligibility, but you’ll have to wait for another draw.

There are no second chances with the 60-day deadline. Missing it means starting over.

Step 2: Gathering and Uploading Documents

IRCC wants proof of everything you claimed. These are the core requirements:

Passport
Education documents (ECA if needed)
Police certificates for every country lived in 6+ months
Letters from employers showing dates and job duties
Official language test results
Medical exam confirmation
Proof of funds with current bank letters

Files must be in English or French. If not, submit certified translations. Keep formats clean—PDF, clear file names, and within upload size limits.

Step 3: Completing Your e-APR

The e-APR asks for detailed personal, travel, and work history. It’s not enough to be close—details must align with your profile and documents.

Before you submit:

A small inconsistency can delay or sink your application.

Step 4: Payment of Fees (Updated – as of April 2025)

When applying for permanent residence under Express Entry (including Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, etc.), you must pay the following fees through your IRCC online account:

Government Fees:

Principal applicant – processing fee: CAD 950
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 575
Combined total: CAD 1,525
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner (if applicable): same total of CAD 1,525
Dependent child: CAD 260 each

Biometrics Fee (if requested and not already submitted):

IRCC strongly recommends paying both the processing fee and the RPRF at the time of submission—even though the RPRF is technically payable later—to avoid later delays.

Step 5: Submitting the e-APR

Review everything before clicking submit. You won’t be able to fix mistakes afterwards.

Check for:

Once submitted, you’ll get an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). IRCC starts processing from that point.

What Happens After You Submit Your PR Application?

After submitting your permanent residence application through Express Entry Canada, IRCC begins reviewing it. This part takes time and happens mostly behind the scenes.

First, you’ll get an AOR.
This is just a confirmation that your file is in the system. It doesn’t mean processing has started—it just marks the beginning of the timeline IRCC will use.
Medical and background checks follow.
If your medical exam meets the requirements, nothing more is needed. Background checks run in parallel, and unless something needs clarification, you likely won’t be contacted.
Biometrics come next—if IRCC doesn’t already have them.
They’ll send you a request, and you’ll need to visit a collection center. The file won’t move forward until this is done.
If approved, you’ll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
What happens next depends on where you are. In Canada, you’ll finalize your landing online or in person. If you’re outside, you may get a passport request.
Processing usually takes about six months from AOR.
But timelines vary. Delays happen if documents are incomplete, security checks take longer, or files are pulled for secondary review.

What Can Delay PR Processing After ITA?

Delays are common, even when the application looks complete. Some causes are preventable.

Documents that aren’t clear or consistent. A scanned file that’s hard to read, or one that doesn’t match your profile, will slow things down.
Mistakes in your application form. Dates that don’t add up. A job title that looks vague. Even a typo can cause your file to be flagged.
Longer security or background screening. If IRCC needs to check multiple countries, or your history isn’t straightforward, this part can drag.
Waiting on police reports or medical results. If they’re late, your file just sits. IRCC won’t start until everything’s in place.

A careful file moves faster. That’s really the difference.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After Receiving an ITA

An Invitation to apply doesn’t guarantee approval. Many applications get delayed—or rejected—because of small but critical oversights.

Missing the 60-day deadline.
If you don’t accept and submit your full application within the time limit, your ITA expires. There are no reminders.
Details that don’t match your profile.
IRCC checks everything. If your documents tell a different story than what’s in your Express Entry profile, your application may be flagged.
Incomplete proof of work or funds.
A vague job letter, missing bank details, or unverified savings can result in refusal, even if you’re otherwise eligible.
Forgetting dependent documents.
Spouses and children need their own paperwork. Missing a medical exam or passport scan for a dependent can hold up the entire file.

Double-checking your submission isn’t optional—it’s how you protect your place in the process.

Turn Your ITA into Canadian Permanent Residency

An ITA gets you closer, but your application still needs to be right. Miss the deadline or send mismatched documents, and you could lose the opportunity.

Go over everything carefully. Don’t wait until the last week. What you submit now decides what happens next.

Need expert help with your post-ITA application? Book a consultation with Western Empire Immigration now.