An Invitation to Apply, usually called an ITA, is an official notice in your IRCC account. It allows you to submit a permanent residence application through Express Entry under the program named in the invitation.
It means your profile was selected in a round of invitations. It is not permanent residence approval. IRCC still reviews eligibility, documents, admissibility, and whether the information you gave is accurate.
This page is for people who have an Express Entry profile, think they may receive an ITA, or just received one and need to know what to do next. It does not cover provincial nominee invitations outside Express Entry, International Experience Canada invitations, or future draw predictions. Documents to collect while you are still in the pool belong on a separate page.
Who this page applies to
Use this page if you:
| Use this page if you |
|---|
| already have an Express Entry profile in the pool |
| received an ITA in your IRCC account |
| need to decide whether to apply, decline, or let the invitation expire |
| want to know which documents IRCC may ask for after an ITA |
Do not use this page as a personal eligibility decision. The invitation message and checklist in your own IRCC account control.
What an ITA means and what it does not mean
| An ITA means | An ITA does not mean |
|---|---|
| IRCC invited you to apply through the Express Entry program named in your account | Your permanent residence application is approved |
| You may start and submit the online permanent residence application during the response period | Every statement in your profile has already been accepted as correct |
| You will receive application instructions and a personalized document checklist in your account | Every applicant needs the same documents |
| Your profile was selected under the instructions for that invitation round | Approval is guaranteed after you submit |
What the invitation message tells you
Open the full message in your IRCC account before you prepare anything. It names the Express Entry program and gives the instructions that apply to you.
IRCC currently gives invited candidates 60 days to submit the permanent residence application. Use the deadline shown in your own account. Confirm the current period on the official IRCC application instructions before you rely on that number.
Exact steps after you receive an ITA
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the invitation in your IRCC account and read it completely. |
| 2 | Write down the program named in the invitation and the deadline shown in the account. |
| 3 | Compare your current situation with the information used in your Express Entry profile, including work, language, education, family, and nomination details. |
| 4 | Recalculate your CRS score if anything material has changed. |
| 5 | If the recalculated score is lower than the lowest score in your invitation round, IRCC says you should decline the invitation. If you apply anyway, IRCC may refuse the application and may not refund the application fee. |
| 6 | Complete every required section of the online application. |
| 7 | Follow the personalized document checklist in your account. Do not copy another person's list. |
| 8 | Pay the fees shown in your account for your application. |
| 9 | Submit the complete application, documents, and fees before the deadline if you decide to apply. |
Documents you may be asked to provide
The personalized checklist in your IRCC account is the controlling list. Depending on the program and your situation, IRCC may ask for documents in these categories:
| Document category | What it may help confirm |
|---|---|
| Passport and identity documents | Identity and travel document details |
| Language test results | The approved English or French results used in the profile |
| Education documents | Canadian education or an Educational Credential Assessment when required |
| Work experience evidence | Employment dates, duties, hours, pay, and other claimed experience |
| Police certificates and medical information | Admissibility requirements that apply to the application |
| Proof of funds | Settlement funds when required by the invited program and current rules |
| Civil status and family documents | Marriage, partnership, children, or other declared family information |
This is not a universal checklist. Follow the items in your account. Confirm changing requirements on the official Express Entry documents page.
Apply, decline, or let the invitation expire
| Option | What generally happens |
|---|---|
| Submit an application | IRCC assesses the application and evidence. Submission is not approval. |
| Decline the invitation | Your profile may return to the pool if it remains eligible. Another invitation is not guaranteed. |
| Do not respond before the deadline | The invitation expires and the profile is removed from the pool. You would need a new profile to be considered again if you remain eligible. |
A change in employment, language results, education, family information, or nomination status can change the correct next step. Use the instructions in your account before you choose.
Edge cases that change the next step
| Situation to check before you submit |
|---|
| Your job, hours, or occupation no longer match the profile. |
| A language result has expired or a score has changed. |
| Family composition has changed, including marriage, divorce, or a child. |
| A provincial nomination has been issued, refused, or withdrawn. |
| You can no longer show the proof of funds required by the invited program. |
| You received the ITA under a category based draw and the category information in the profile is no longer accurate. |
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Safer approach |
|---|---|
| Treating the ITA as final approval | Prepare for a full review of eligibility, evidence, completeness, and admissibility |
| Using a checklist copied from another applicant | Follow the personalized checklist in your own IRCC account |
| Relying on an old response period | Check the date in your invitation and the current IRCC page |
| Assuming profile information no longer matters | Compare every material claim with current facts and evidence |
| Uploading documents that do not support the claimed details | Check names, dates, duties, hours, and results before you upload |
Questions people ask
Official sources
Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry | Review Express Entry rounds of invitations | Get your Express Entry documents ready | Review the current Express Entry Ministerial Instructions
Related KGraph pages
Next step
Not sure which pathway is right for you? Start with a free initial eligibility assessment so KGraph can better understand your immigration goals. This preliminary assessment is not a consultation, legal opinion, confirmation of eligibility, or guarantee of approval.
Start Your Free Initial Eligibility Assessment
Prepared by KGraph Immigration. Last updated September 2026. General information, not legal advice.
