What is an ITA?
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is IRCC's formal notification that you have been selected in an Express Entry draw and are eligible to submit a permanent residence application. It is sent electronically to your IRCC account.
Important: Receiving an ITA does not mean you are a permanent resident. It means you are eligible to apply in this draw round. You must still submit a complete, accurate, and timely application — and IRCC will review it before making a decision on your PR status.
The best way to be ready for an ITA is to prepare your documents before you receive one. Candidates who are well-prepared when the ITA arrives are far less likely to miss the deadline or make mistakes under pressure.
The 60-Day Deadline — Non-Negotiable
From the exact moment your ITA is issued, you have 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application through IRCC's online portal. This deadline is absolute — there are no extensions, no exceptions, and no appeals for missed deadlines.
If you miss the 60-day window, your ITA expires. You return to the Express Entry pool (with the same CRS score) and must wait for another ITA in a future draw. This is why preparation before receiving your ITA is so critical.
Start Preparing Before You Receive Your ITA
Experienced immigration consultants advise clients to begin collecting documents as soon as their Express Entry profile is active — not after receiving an ITA. Police certificates, medical exams, employment reference letters, and ECAs all take time to obtain. Starting early is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a smooth, timely application.
Documents Checklist
The following documents are typically required for an Express Entry PR application. Requirements may vary based on your specific program and personal circumstances. Your RCIC will provide a customized checklist for your case.
Identity Documents
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months of validity remaining beyond your intended stay)
- National identity card (if applicable)
- For each family member included in the application: passport and identity documents
Language Test Results
- IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General (English), or TEF Canada / TCF Canada (French)
- Results must be current — not more than 2 years old at time of application submission
- If results expire before you can submit, you must retake the test
Education Documents
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report — required for foreign degrees under FSWP
- Transcripts and diplomas from each educational institution attended
- Canadian transcripts (if applicable)
Employment and Work Experience
- Reference letters from each employer — must be on company letterhead and include: job title, start and end dates, hours per week, salary, duties and responsibilities, supervisor's name and signature
- Paystubs, T4 slips, or tax records (supporting evidence)
- Self-employment documentation (if applicable)
Proof of Funds
- Bank statements from the past 3 months showing sufficient settlement funds
- Required only if you are applying under FSWP and do not have a valid Canadian job offer
- CEC applicants are generally exempt from settlement funds requirements
Police Certificates
- Required from every country where you have lived for 6 months or more since the age of 18
- Must be original or certified — requirements vary by country
- Can take weeks or months to obtain from some countries — begin this process immediately
Medical Examination
- IMM 1017B — Upfront Medical Examination from an IRCC-approved panel physician
- All family members included in the application must complete the medical exam
- Results are valid for 12 months from the date of the exam
- Book the exam as early as possible — physician schedules can be limited
Other Documents
- Digital passport-style photographs for each applicant
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship (if including a spouse/partner)
- Birth certificates for each dependent child included in the application
- Adoption records (if applicable)
- Divorce or death certificate (if previously married)
Step-by-Step: After Your ITA
Accept Your ITA and Log Into Your IRCC Account
Log into your IRCC Secure Account. Accept the ITA and note your 60-day submission deadline date. You will be prompted to begin filling out the permanent residence application forms (e-APR). Your RCIC will take over the application process at this stage.
Gather All Required Documents
Use the checklist above to collect every required document. Request police certificates from all relevant countries immediately — these often have the longest lead times. Book your medical exam with an approved panel physician right away.
Complete Application Forms and Pay Fees
Complete all required IRCC forms (IMM 0008, IMM 5669, IMM 5406, and others depending on your circumstances). Pay all applicable government fees — processing fees, Right of Permanent Residence Fee, and biometrics fees where applicable.
Submit Your Application Before Day 60
Upload all forms and supporting documents to your IRCC account and submit your complete application. Do not wait until the last day — submit as early as possible to allow time to address any issues. Keep copies of everything you submit.
Receive Your AOR and Await Decision
After submission, you will receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) with your application number — save this carefully. IRCC will process your application, which includes medical and background checks running concurrently. Processing typically takes around 6 months. IRCC may request additional documents through your online account — monitor it regularly.
Receive COPR and PR Visa
If approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if outside Canada, a PR visa. You must land in Canada before your COPR expiry date. If you are already in Canada, you may be issued a PR card after landing confirmation.
Government Application Fees
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal Applicant Processing Fee | $850 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) — Principal Applicant | $515 |
| Spouse or Partner Processing Fee | $850 |
| RPRF for Spouse or Partner | $515 |
| Per Dependent Child | $230 each |
| Biometrics (if applicable) — per person | $85 |
For a single applicant with no accompanying family members, the minimum fees are $1,365 CAD (processing + RPRF). RPRF is refundable if your application is refused.
Common ITA Application Mistakes — Avoid These
- Missing the 60-day deadline — There are no extensions. If you cannot submit in time, you must decline the ITA and wait for another draw.
- Submitting incomplete or inconsistent information — Every detail in your application must match your supporting documents exactly. Inconsistencies trigger additional scrutiny or refusal.
- Using expired language test results — Results must be valid (less than 2 years old) at the time of application submission, not just at the time of your ITA.
- Getting police certificates from wrong countries — You need certificates from every country where you lived 6+ months since age 18, even briefly.
- Failing to include all family members — All family members must be declared in your application even if they will not accompany you to Canada immediately. Failing to declare them may affect future sponsorship eligibility.
- Poor-quality reference letters — Employment reference letters that don't include required details (job duties, hours, salary) may cause IRCC to question your work experience eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can decline an ITA, at which point your Express Entry profile returns to the pool with the same CRS score (provided your profile has not expired). You will be considered for future draws. Declining an ITA is sometimes the right decision if you are not prepared to submit a complete application within 60 days. However, if cutoffs have been rising, declining an ITA at a lower cutoff means you may need to wait longer for another opportunity.
If you genuinely cannot gather all required documents in time, your best option is to decline the ITA and remain in the pool. There are no extensions — submitting an incomplete application is worse than declining, as it may result in a refusal on record. This is why preparing documents in advance is so important. Your RCIC will advise you on what documents have long lead times and help you start collecting them early.
No. You can submit your Express Entry permanent residence application from anywhere in the world. The application is submitted online through IRCC's portal. If you are currently outside Canada and are approved, you will receive a PR visa that you must use to enter Canada before its expiry date. If you are already in Canada on a valid work or study permit, you can land as a PR once approved without leaving.