Under Express Entry, successful candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada. ITAs are issued approximately every two weeks. Once you receive an ITA, you must submit your complete permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For a comprehensive understanding of Invitations To Apply (ITAs) and all the essential details regarding this stage of the Express Entry process, this resource will offer valuable insights and guidance to help you successfully navigate through the application process.

About the ITA

An Invitation To Apply (ITA) is extended to candidates in the Express Entry pool who have been selected by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to apply for immigration to Canada through the Express Entry system. ITAs are granted on a priority basis during draws from the Express Entry pool, which consists of candidates who have expressed interest in immigrating to Canada.

It is important to understand that an Invitation To Apply is distinct from initial eligibility to enter the Express Entry pool and should not be confused with a job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination certificate. ITAs are auto-generated letters issued to candidates through their Express Entry profiles once they have been selected for further processing of their immigration application.

Obtaining an ITA

Candidates eligible to immigrate to Canada must meet the minimum entry criteria of a federal economic immigration program before entering the Express Entry pool. Once in the pool, they are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers core human capital factors, accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors (if applicable), skill transferability factors, and additional factors such as provincial nomination, arranged employment offer, Canadian study experience, having a sibling in Canada, or French language proficiency. The CRS assigns a maximum of 1,200 points to each candidate based on these factors.

The government of Canada conducts regular draws from the Express Entry pool and issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates based on their CRS rankings. The candidates with the highest CRS scores receive ITAs to apply for permanent residence in Canada. During each draw, a minimum CRS cut-off score is established, and those who meet or exceed this score are notified of their invitation to apply.

Required Documentation

Candidates who receive an Invitation To Apply must submit specific supporting documents and processing fees along with their application. These required documents include:

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Language test results
• Documentation verifying work experience
• Police clearance certificate(s)
• Upfront medical receipt
• Photographs of principal applicant and family members

Additional documentation may be necessary based on the program the candidate was invited under and the information provided in their Express Entry profile. This may include:

• Canadian Education Credential OR Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
• Letter of attestation
• Official transcripts of post-secondary education courses
• Secondary education documents
• Original letter of job offer from a Canadian employer
• Proof of family relationships in Canada
• Proof of settlement funds
• Legal documents showing name or date of birth changes
• Marriage certificate(s)
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union and cohabitation documents (if applicable)
• Divorce or annulment certificate(s)
• Death certificate(s) for former spouse(s) or common-law partner(s)
• Children’s birth certificates
• Adoption papers
• Proof of full custody for children
• Travel documents (non-passport)
• Certified copy of a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade occupation
• Copies of work contracts and/or pay stubs
• Documents related to income taxation

Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation occurs when a potential candidate provides false information during the Express Entry process. Depending on the nature and severity of the false claim, misrepresentation carries penalties. The purpose of these provisions is to ensure applicants submit complete, honest, and truthful information when applying for entry into Canada, safeguarding the integrity of Canadian immigration programs.

Candidates found to have provided false information in the Express Entry pool can face a five-year ban from re-entering the pool. Thus, it is crucial to always provide accurate and correct information.

Misrepresentation may result in an applicant being deemed inadmissible to Canada. This can happen if the applicant directly or indirectly misrepresents or withholds material facts that could impact the processing of their application. Even if the misrepresentation was unintentional, the applicant is responsible for ensuring the application’s truthfulness and authenticity of supporting documents.

Examples of misrepresentation include an applicant unknowingly submitting false information or documents provided by a representative. In such cases, the applicant is still accountable for the accuracy of the application. Additionally, misrepresentation can occur if an individual claims no criminal record when a background check reveals otherwise.

In cases of possible misrepresentation, applicants may be given the opportunity to respond and address concerns raised about their application. It is essential to maintain utmost honesty and transparency throughout the immigration process.

Accepting an ITA

After receiving an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete and accurate application along with all necessary supporting documents. It is essential to start collecting and organizing these documents beforehand to ensure readiness upon receiving the ITA. Failure to meet the 60-day deadline will invalidate the ITA, and the candidate will need to re-enter the Express Entry pool.

Once all required documents are uploaded and the application is complete, applicants can submit it. The option to submit becomes available only when all fields are filled out. The submission of the complete application is considered the acceptance of the ITA. An Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) will automatically be issued upon submission.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will review the application to determine if it is both complete and eligible. The goal is to complete this process within six months from the applicant’s submission date. Candidates are advised to ensure the accuracy and completeness of their applications and to promptly respond to any inquiries from IRCC during the processing period.

Expiration of an ITA

If a candidate fails to submit their application within the 60-day period after receiving an Invitation To Apply (ITA), the ITA will expire, and the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry will be lost. Candidates who neither decline the ITA nor apply within the given timeframe will need to create a new Express Entry profile and meet the minimum criteria to be accepted into the pool again for future rounds of invitations.

Re-entering the pool requires candidates to go through the same process as before, ensuring they meet the eligibility requirements for the federal economic immigration programs. It is crucial to remain proactive and diligent throughout the application process to avoid missing out on the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Declining an ITA

Candidates who decline an Invitation To Apply (ITA) will have their profiles placed back into the Express Entry pool and will remain eligible for consideration in future rounds of invitations, as long as they continue to meet the minimum criteria of a federal economic immigration program.

It is important to note that there is no guarantee that candidates will receive another ITA at a later date. Declining an ITA will not have a negative impact on the possibility of receiving an invitation in the future.