An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued to selected applicants from the Express Entry pool to apply for immigration to Canada by Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through the Express Entry immigration selection system.
Only eligible candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. IRCC developed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used to screen applicants to enter into the Express Entry pool. The CRS ranks candidates under the following factors:
Additional points are given to the following factors:
Your total score equals Core points + additional points
IRCC conducts at least two draws a month which are posted on their website. Consequently, ITAs are also sent out to qualifying candidates with the cut-off score for that specific draw date. ITAs contains specific instructions on how to proceed with the candidates ‘application for permanent residence to Canada, including the specific program you are invited to apply and what to do next.
If you get invited to apply for permanent residence, you need to show proof of the information you have provided IRCC in your Express Entry profile. IRCC will deny your application if the information you provided does not match the documentation you submitted with your application for permanent residence. Providing false information and documentation will result to your application being denied, you could be found inadmissible and consequently be barred to come to Canada for any reason for five (5) years. Documents to Support Your Application for Permanent Residence
A proactive measure is necessary for applying under the Express Entry program. Once you have received confirmation that your profile was entered into the Express Entry pool, you should start gathering all your documentation such as Experience Letter, educational credentials, IELTS results, police clearance, resume, etc.
Once IRCC sends you an ITA, you have 60 days to complete your application for permanent residence and submit the required documentation.
Note that when you start your application for permanent residence, the system will generate a checklist specific to your particular situation. Generally, following is the list of the documentation required:
If you decline an ITA your profile will be put back into the Express Entry pool, as long as you still meet the minimum criteria. You will still be considered for the future rounds of invitations. While waiting for your ITA, you can also improve your CRS by obtaining additional work experience, acquiring a job offer or provincial nomination certificate.
There is no guarantee that you will be invited to apply again. Declining an invitation will not have a negative effect on whether or not you could be invited to apply later.
If you do not accept an invite and you do not apply within 60 days, the ITA will expire. You will have to complete and submit a new Express Entry profile and be accepted to the pool again to be considered for future rounds of invitations.
To retain the pool, you must complete a new profile and meet the minimum criteria.
You can only stay in the Express Entry pool for one year from the date you were accepted into it. The expiration date is reflected on MYCIC your account. You will be notified by email once your Express Entry profile expires.