Invitation to Apply (ITA)

An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is an official correspondence issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to Express Entry candidates. To receive an ITA, candidates must first submit an online profile to the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). During regularly scheduled Express Entry draws, IRCC invites the highest-ranked candidates from the pool to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Receiving an ITA is not a guarantee of permanent residency, but rather a formal invitation to submit a complete application. Upon receiving an ITA, candidates have a strict, non-extendable window of exactly 60 calendar days to upload all required supporting documentation—such as reference letters, language test results, educational assessments, and police clearance certificates—and pay the necessary processing fees. If an applicant fails to submit a complete application within this 60-day timeframe, the ITA expires, and the candidate's profile is removed from the pool.

This system manages applications for key economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Candidates must ensure all information in their Express Entry profile remains accurate at the time of submission, as any discrepancy could lead to a refusal or a finding of misrepresentation. Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. For official guidelines, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).