Invitation To Apply: What is an Invitation to Apply (ITA)?
Any applicant in the Express Entry pool who has been chosen by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to submit an application for immigration to Canada is given an invitation to do so. When the IRCC conducts a draw from the Express Entry pool, which is made up of applicants who have expressed interest in immigrating to Canada, Invitations to Apply are distributed in order of priority.
The initial eligibility to enter the Express Entry pool, a job offers from a Canadian employer, or a provincial nomination certificate should not be confused with an invitation to apply. Candidates for Express Entry are sent an invitation to apply via their Express Entry profiles in an automatically generated letter.
Obtaining an ITA
Only applicants who satisfy the minimal requirements of one of the federal economic immigration programs are eligible to apply to the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The following factors are used by the CRS to rank candidates:
- core human capital factors;
- accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors, if applicable;
- skill transferability factors; and
- factors relating to a provincial nomination, a qualifying offer of arranged employment, a previous study in Canada, having a sibling in Canada, or proof of French ability.
Within the Comprehensive Ranking System, there are a total of 1,200 points available. At the time of the draw, the government of Canada announces a minimum CRS cut-off score and notifies those applicants who have been invited to apply for permanent residence. This is how the government of Canada issues Invitations to Apply to specific candidates in the Express Entry pool based on their ranking.
Required Documentation
Current requirements state that all applicants who receive an invitation to apply must also include the following supporting documents and application fees.
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Language test results
- Documentation attesting to work experience
- Police clearance certificate(s)
- Upfront medical receipt
- Photographs of the principal applicant and family members
The following records may be needed, depending on the program for which a candidate received an invitation to apply, and the details listed in his or her Express Entry profile:
- Canadian Education Credential OR Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Letter of attestation
- Official transcripts of post-secondary education study program courses taken
- Secondary education documents
- Original letter from a Canadian employer indicating an offer of arranged employment
- Proof of family relationship(s) in Canada
- Proof of settlement funds
- Legal documents showing changes in name or date of birth
- Marriage certificate(s)
- Signed Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union and documents attesting to cohabitation for at least 12 months
- 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 issued by a Canadian provincial/territorial authority
- Copies of work contracts and/or pay stubs
- Documents relating to income taxation
Accepting an ITA
Following the issuance of the Invitation to Apply, the original profile details will be kept for 60 days. Candidates will have this much time to submit an accurate and thorough application along with all necessary supporting materials.
Candidates are urged to start gathering these papers and making sure they are in good shape before receiving an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence because of the short window of time available. The invitation to apply for permanent residence that was issued to the candidate expires after 60 days, and the candidate must reapply through the Express Entry pool.
Applicants are given the choice to apply once all required documents have been uploaded and are complete. Only after all fields have been filled out is there a submit button available. The application is deemed accepted once it is submitted in its entirety. Once the file is sent, an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) will be generated automatically.
If the application is complete and eligible, IRCC will examine it and decide. Within six months of the applicant’s application being received, IRCC hopes to have this process concluded.
Expiration of an ITA
It will be deleted if no application is received by that point. If a candidate doesn’t decline an invitation to apply and doesn’t submit an application within 60 days, the invitation to apply will expire. Candidates must now create a new Express Entry profile, submit it, and be approved into the pool to be taken into consideration for upcoming invitation rounds if they still want to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry. Candidates must still fulfill the minimal requirements to reapply to the pool.
Frequently Asked Questions: ITA (Invitation to Apply)
An ITA stands for Invitation to Apply. It is an official invitation issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to candidates who have been selected from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
To receive an ITA, you need to create an Express Entry profile and meet the eligibility criteria for one of the federal economic immigration programs managed through Express Entry. Candidates with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are typically invited to apply during regular draws conducted by the Canadian government.
Express Entry draws are typically held regularly, although the frequency and number of invitations issued can vary. The frequency of draws depends on factors such as immigration targets, application processing capacity, and the number of candidates in the Express Entry pool.
The CRS score is determined based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other criteria. Candidates with higher CRS scores have better chances of receiving an ITA. The CRS score is recalculated for each draw, and the minimum score required for an ITA can vary depending on the specific draw and the number of available spots.
After receiving an ITA, candidates typically have a specific period (usually 60 days) to complete and submit their application for permanent residency. This includes providing all the necessary supporting documents, undergoing medical examinations, and paying the required fees.
Yes, you have the option to decline an ITA if you do not wish to proceed with the application process. However, it’s important to consider the implications and potential impact on future ITAs, as declining an ITA may affect your ranking in the Express Entry pool.
If you are eligible and meet the criteria for multiple draws, you can potentially receive multiple ITAs. However, once you accept an ITA and submit your application, your profile will be removed from future draws, as you will be considered in the process of applying for permanent residency.
Generally, the validity period of an ITA cannot be extended. It is essential to submit your complete application within the specified timeframe mentioned in the ITA to be considered for permanent residency.
If your application is rejected after receiving an ITA, you may have options for reconsideration or appeal, depending on the specific circumstances. It is advisable to consult with an immigration professional or legal expert to understand your options and determine the best course of action.
If you miss the deadline to submit your application after receiving an ITA, your opportunity to apply for permanent residency through that particular ITA will generally lapse. However, you can still remain in the Express Entry pool and may have the chance to receive future ITAs if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Accepting or refusing an ITA does not directly impact your future Express Entry profile. If you refuse an ITA, your profile will remain in the Express Entry pool, and you will still have opportunities to receive future ITAs if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements and have a competitive CRS score.
The probability of receiving an ITA increases with a higher CRS score, as candidates with higher scores are typically prioritized. However, there have been instances where candidates with lower CRS scores have received ITAs in certain draws. It’s important to continuously work on improving your CRS score to enhance your chances of receiving an ITA.
Once you receive an ITA, you generally cannot make changes to your Express Entry profile. The information in your profile at the time of receiving the ITA will be used for the application process. However, you can update your profile if you receive subsequent ITAs in the future.
If you decline an ITA, you will not be able to re-enter the Express Entry pool with the same profile. However, you can create a new profile and re-enter the pool, considering your updated qualifications, language test scores, or work experience. This allows you to have a chance to improve your CRS score and receive future ITAs.
ITAs are issued to specific individuals based on their Express Entry profile and CRS score. ITAs are not transferable to another person. Each individual’s application is assessed based on their own qualifications and eligibility.
It is not mandatory to have a valid job offer to receive an ITA. The Express Entry system awards points for various factors such as language proficiency, education, work experience, and adaptability. While a valid job offer can provide additional CRS points, it is not a requirement for receiving an ITA.
You can receive an ITA even if you have not completed your education or obtained your degree. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements for the specific immigration program and have a competitive CRS score, you can receive an ITA. However, you will need to provide proof of education before the application process is finalized.
Having a criminal record may affect your eligibility for immigration to Canada. Certain criminal offenses can make you inadmissible to the country. It’s important to thoroughly understand the requirements and admissibility criteria and consult with an immigration professional if you have concerns about your criminal record.
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