Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Canada’s Express Entry system is a major milestone for anyone hoping to become a permanent resident of Canada. However, an ITA is not the same as permanent residence approval. It gives you the opportunity to submit a complete permanent residence application, and you must act carefully within the required deadline.
So, what happens after receiving an Express Entry invitation?
In simple terms, you need to confirm your eligibility, gather your supporting documents, complete your permanent residence application, undergo the required medical examination, provide biometrics when required, pay the applicable fees and submit everything before your invitation expires.
This guide explains the process in plain language, including what to do after an Express Entry ITA, which documents you may need, what happens after you apply and what to expect if your application is approved.
Important: Immigration rules and requirements can change. Always verify your individual requirements using official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) information before submitting an application.
What Is an Express Entry Invitation to Apply?
An Invitation to Apply, commonly called an ITA, is an invitation from the Canadian government to submit an application for permanent residence through Express Entry.
Express Entry manages applications for several economic immigration programs. Candidates create an Express Entry profile and enter a pool. They are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and candidates who meet the requirements for a particular invitation round may be invited to apply.
An ITA is therefore an important step, but it does not automatically mean you have been granted Canadian permanent residence.
After receiving the invitation, you must prove that the information in your Express Entry profile was accurate and that you still meet the requirements of the program under which you were invited.
How Long Do You Have After Receiving an Express Entry ITA?
One of the most important things to understand is the 60-day deadline.
IRCC states that an Express Entry invitation is valid for 60 calendar days. You must submit your permanent residence application within that period.
This is why it is wise to start preparing immediately after receiving your ITA rather than waiting until the final few weeks.
Your 60-day period can be used to:
- Review your invitation and nominated program
- Confirm that you remain eligible
- Check the information in your Express Entry profile
- Gather supporting documents
- Obtain police certificates where required
- Complete your medical examination
- Complete the online permanent residence forms
- Upload your documents
- Pay the required fees
- Submit your application
If you do not submit the application within the 60-day period and do not decline the invitation, the invitation expires and your profile is removed from the pool. You would generally need to create a new Express Entry profile to be considered again.
Step 1: Carefully Review Your Invitation
The first thing to do after receiving an ITA is to read the invitation carefully.
Your IRCC account will tell you which program you have been invited to apply under and provide information about what you need to do next.
Do not immediately assume that your application will be approved simply because your CRS score was high enough to receive an invitation.
Your circumstances must still support the information you provided in your Express Entry profile.
For example, review:
- Your age
- Marital status
- Number of family members
- Education
- Language test results
- Work experience
- Canadian work experience
- Provincial nomination, if applicable
- Proof of funds, if applicable
- Job-related information
- Passport information
If something has changed since you created your profile, it may affect your eligibility or CRS score.
Step 2: Make Sure Your Information Is Still Accurate
This is one of the most important parts of the post-ITA process.
An Express Entry profile is based on information you declare. After receiving an ITA, you must provide evidence supporting that information.
Suppose, for example, that your work experience was entered incorrectly, your language test has expired, your marital status has changed or you no longer have something that contributed to your score.
You should not simply submit the application using the old information.
IRCC specifically advises applicants to recalculate their score when their personal circumstances change. If the new score is below the lowest score required in the invitation round, applying could result in refusal.
Accuracy is more important than simply trying to preserve a CRS score.
Step 3: Gather Your Express Entry Documents
Once you have confirmed that your information is correct, begin collecting the documents required for your application.
The exact document checklist depends on your circumstances and the program you were invited under.
Documents can include:
- Passport or travel document
- Language test results
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), where applicable
- Education documents
- Employment reference or experience letters
- Proof of work experience
- Proof of funds, where required
- Police certificates
- Civil status documents
- Provincial nomination documents, if applicable
- Medical examination confirmation
- Other documents requested by IRCC
IRCC’s current Express Entry documentation guidance lists passports, language results, education information, work experience evidence, proof of funds and police certificates among documents that may be required.
Keep Your Documents Consistent
Your documents should tell the same story as your Express Entry profile.
For example, if your profile states that you worked for a particular employer for a specific period, your supporting employment documents should accurately reflect that experience.
If there are differences, do not hide them. Where appropriate, provide an explanation and supporting evidence.
This is especially important because immigration officers assess whether the information in the application is accurate and whether the applicant meets the requirements.
Step 4: Get Your Police Certificates
Police certificates are an important part of many permanent residence applications.
They help IRCC assess criminal admissibility. Requirements can vary depending on your country of residence and travel history.
Do not leave police certificates until the last minute.
Some certificates can take considerable time to obtain. IRCC says that if an applicant cannot obtain a required police certificate before the 60-day deadline, they may, in certain circumstances, submit a letter of explanation together with evidence showing that they made a genuine effort to obtain it.
Examples of evidence can include an application receipt, payment receipt, delivery notice or tracking information.
This does not guarantee acceptance, so the safest approach is to begin the police certificate process as early as possible.
Step 5: Complete Your Medical Examination
For Express Entry applicants, the medical examination is generally completed after receiving the ITA and before submitting the permanent residence application.
IRCC refers to this as an upfront medical examination for Express Entry applicants. You must use a physician approved by IRCC, known as a panel physician.
After the examination, the physician provides documentation confirming that the examination was completed. You generally upload the required proof with your application.
Medical results have a limited validity period, so applicants should follow the current IRCC instructions carefully.
Step 6: Complete the Online Permanent Residence Application
After gathering your documents, you can begin completing the permanent residence application through your IRCC secure account.
The application asks for detailed information about you and, where applicable, your spouse or partner and dependent children.
You should carefully check every answer before submitting.
Common areas include:
- Personal history
- Address history
- Education history
- Employment history
- Travel history
- Family information
- Immigration history
- Background information
- Language information
- Supporting documents
Avoid guessing dates or creating information simply to complete a form.
If you cannot remember an exact date, investigate your records and use the most accurate information possible.
Step 7: Pay the Required Fees
Before submitting your application, you will need to pay the applicable government fees.
Depending on your circumstances, fees can include processing fees, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee and biometrics fees.
The exact amount can change, so applicants should check the current IRCC fee information before payment.
Keep your payment receipts and records.
Step 8: Submit Your Complete Application Before the Deadline
Once you have completed the forms, uploaded the required documents and paid the applicable fees, review everything carefully.
Then submit the application through your IRCC account.
Remember: receiving an ITA does not give you unlimited time to apply.
You have 60 calendar days from the invitation to submit your permanent residence application.
Before clicking the final submission button, check:
- Are all forms complete?
- Are your answers accurate?
- Do your documents support your claims?
- Have you included your family members correctly?
- Are translations provided where required?
- Have you paid the correct fees?
- Have you uploaded the medical examination proof?
- Have you included police certificates or appropriate explanations where necessary?
- Is your passport information correct?
- Are you still eligible under the program?
A rushed application can create unnecessary problems.
What Happens After You Submit Your Express Entry Application?
After submitting your application, IRCC begins processing it.
You may be required to provide biometrics, which generally means fingerprints and a photograph. IRCC provides instructions about when and where biometrics must be completed.
IRCC may also request additional information or documents during processing.
The application is assessed based on factors such as:
- Whether you meet the program’s eligibility requirements
- Whether the information you provided is accurate
- Whether you are admissible to Canada
- Medical examination results
- Police certificates
- Background checks
IRCC states that an incomplete application can be rejected and processing fees may be refunded in accordance with its rules.
Can You Track Your Express Entry Application?
Yes.
After submitting your permanent residence application, you can monitor its status through your IRCC account and the available application status tools.
IRCC explains that applicants can view the overall application status, individual processing steps and messages requesting additional action.
It is important to check your account regularly.
If IRCC asks for additional documents or information, respond within the deadline provided in the request.
What If IRCC Requests More Documents?
A request for additional documents does not automatically mean that something is wrong with your application.
Immigration officers may need clarification or additional evidence before they can make a decision.
If you receive a request, read it carefully.
Provide exactly what has been requested and make sure your response is clear and truthful.
If a document is unavailable, explain why and provide supporting evidence where appropriate.
Never submit altered, misleading or fraudulent documents. Misrepresentation can have serious immigration consequences.
How Long Does Express Entry Processing Take?
Processing times can change depending on the type of application, volume of applications and other factors.
For that reason, it is better not to rely on an old article promising that every Express Entry application will be processed within a specific number of months.
Check IRCC’s current processing-time information for the most accurate estimate for your application.
Your personal circumstances can also affect how quickly your application moves through different stages.
What Happens If Your Express Entry Application Is Approved?
If IRCC approves your application, you will receive instructions about the next steps.
For applicants inside Canada, IRCC may confirm permanent resident status through the permanent residence portal. Once status is confirmed, the applicant can receive an electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence, commonly called an e-COPR.
The exact process differs depending on whether you are inside or outside Canada.
If you are outside Canada, IRCC will provide the documents and instructions you need for your situation, which can include a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and, where applicable, a permanent resident visa.
What If Your Express Entry Application Is Refused?
An ITA does not guarantee permanent residence.
An application can be refused if the applicant does not meet the program requirements, is found inadmissible or cannot substantiate the information provided.
If IRCC refuses an application, the applicant receives information explaining the decision.
If you want to pursue Express Entry again, you generally need to create a new profile, meet the eligibility requirements and be accepted into the pool again.
The best way to reduce avoidable problems is to make sure your application is accurate, complete and supported by genuine documentation before submission.
What Should You Do Immediately After Getting an ITA?
If you have just received an Express Entry invitation, do not panic and do not wait.
A practical approach is:
Day 1–3: Read the invitation and confirm the program and deadline.
First week: Review your profile and identify every document you need.
Weeks 1–3: Request police certificates and obtain other documents that may take time.
As soon as possible: Book your medical examination with an approved panel physician.
Following weeks: Complete your forms, organize supporting documents and resolve discrepancies.
Before submission: Review the complete application carefully.
Before day 60: Submit the application and save your confirmation and payment records.
The exact timeline will depend on your circumstances, but early preparation gives you more room to deal with unexpected delays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After an Express Entry ITA
1. Waiting too long
The 60-day deadline can arrive faster than expected.
2. Assuming the ITA guarantees approval
An invitation only allows you to apply. You still need to satisfy the requirements.
3. Using inaccurate information
Your final application should accurately reflect your current circumstances.
4. Ignoring expired documents
Check the validity of passports, language tests and other time-sensitive documents.
5. Forgetting family members
Changes in marital status, births and other family circumstances can affect your application.
6. Submitting weak employment evidence
Your work experience should be properly supported by appropriate documentation.
7. Leaving police certificates until the last minute
Some countries take time to issue them.
8. Relying on outdated immigration advice
Canadian immigration policies can change. Always verify important requirements against current IRCC guidance.
Express Entry ITA: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Express Entry ITA mean I am a permanent resident?
No. An ITA gives you an opportunity to submit a permanent residence application. IRCC must still assess your application before making a final decision.
How many days do I have to apply after receiving an ITA?
You generally have 60 calendar days to submit your permanent residence application after receiving an Express Entry invitation.
What documents do I need after an Express Entry invitation?
The documents depend on your personal circumstances and the program. They may include your passport, language test results, education records, employment evidence, proof of funds, police certificates, civil documents and medical examination confirmation.
Do I need a medical exam after receiving an ITA?
For Express Entry, IRCC currently requires applicants to complete an upfront medical examination after receiving the invitation and before submitting the application.
Can my Express Entry application be refused after receiving an ITA?
Yes. An ITA is not an approval of permanent residence. Your final application must meet the relevant eligibility and admissibility requirements.
What happens if I miss the 60-day ITA deadline?
If you do not submit your application within the deadline and do not decline the invitation, the invitation expires and your profile is removed from the pool. You would generally need to submit a new Express Entry profile to be considered again.