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CRS Score Calculator →What Is an ITA — and What Does It Mean?
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is the official notice from IRCC that your Express Entry profile has been selected in a draw. It means your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was at or above the cut-off in that draw round. The ITA is not a PR approval — it is an invitation to submit a full permanent residence application.
Once you receive an ITA, your 60-day clock starts immediately. IRCC's system is strict: no extensions are granted under normal circumstances. If you submit after the deadline — even by one day — your ITA is void. If your application is incomplete, IRCC returns it and you go back into the pool (or out of the pool if your profile has since expired).
Your First 7 Days: What to Do Immediately
The first week after your ITA is the most important. You need to set all the long-lead-time items in motion before they become bottlenecks.
Accept the ITA in Your MyCIC Account
Log in to your IRCC secure account and formally accept the ITA. This opens the PR application form inside your account. Do not delay — your 60 days began at the ITA issue date, not when you accept it.
Book Your Medical Exam Immediately
Find an IRCC-approved Panel Physician at cic.gc.ca/pp-md. Appointments typically take 1–3 weeks to schedule. Do not do your own doctor — only designated Panel Physicians can conduct immigration medicals. Results are uploaded directly to IRCC and are valid for 12 months.
Apply for Police Certificates From Every Country
You need a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from every country where you lived for 6 or more months since age 18. This includes your home country, Canada (if applicable), and any other countries. RCMP-issued Canadian PCCs take 2–3 weeks; other countries can take much longer. Start all applications on Day 1.
Request Employment Reference Letters
Email your current and past employers immediately. Reference letters must be on company letterhead, signed, and include: job title, NOC code (TEER level), start and end dates, hours per week, main duties, and annual salary. Getting these from international employers can take 1–3 weeks.
Verify Your Proof of Funds
Check your bank balances against the current IRCC minimum for your family size. Funds must be unencumbered (not a loan, not from credit), accessible, and held for ideally 3–6 months to show stability. Get official bank statements or letters with balances and transaction history.
Check All Document Expiry Dates
Confirm your passport, language test results (IELTS/CELPIP valid 2 years from test date), and ECA (valid 5 years from issuance) are still valid. If your IELTS expires before you submit, you will need to retake it — there is no workaround.
Pay the Government Application Fees
Pay IRCC's processing fees as soon as your application is open. For a principal applicant in 2026, the PR processing fee is $1,365 CAD plus a $515 Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). Include dependants' fees. Pay via credit card in your MyCIC account.
Complete Document Checklist After ITA
This is every document category you need to gather. Exact requirements can vary by applicant (FSW vs CEC, with or without dependants, country of origin). Always check your MyCIC account's document checklist — it is personalized to your application.
🪪 Identity & Civil Status Documents
- Valid passport (must be valid beyond your expected COPR date)
- Passport biographic pages (all pages with stamps or visas)
- Birth certificate (for you and all dependants)
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law partnership (if applicable)
- Divorce certificate or death certificate of former spouse (if applicable)
- Adoption papers (if applicable for dependant children)
- Legal name change documents (if applicable)
🏫 Education & Language Documents
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — WES, ICAS, CES, or IQAS (for foreign degrees)
- Foreign degree transcripts and diplomas
- Canadian degree transcripts and diplomas (if applicable)
- IELTS General Training or CELPIP results (within 2 years)
- TEF Canada or TCF Canada results (if French language points claimed)
💼 Work Experience Documents
- Employer reference letters (on letterhead, signed, with job title, NOC code, duties, dates, salary, hours)
- Pay stubs or salary slips (last 3–6 months from each employer)
- T4s or tax notices of assessment (for Canadian work experience)
- Contract of employment or offer letters (supporting documents)
- Self-employment records (business registration, financials) if applicable
🔒 Security & Police Certificates
- Police Clearance Certificate from every country lived in for 6+ months since age 18
- RCMP certificate (if you have lived in Canada) — obtained through RCMP Fingerprint Service
- Canadian federal court records (if you have criminal history in Canada)
- Military or government service records (if applicable in your country)
🏥 Medical & Biometrics
- Completed immigration medical exam results (uploaded by Panel Physician directly)
- Biometrics (collected at a IRCC VAC or ASC — required if not already on file within 10 years)
💰 Financial Documents
- Official bank statements (last 6 months, showing account history and current balance)
- Bank letter confirming funds and account holder information
- Proof of Canadian job offer or work authorization (if exempt from proof of funds requirement)
- Foreign currency conversion evidence if funds are held in non-CAD currency
Proof of Funds Requirements in 2026
If you are applying through FSW and do not hold a valid Canadian work permit or a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself and your family after landing. These funds must be unencumbered — they cannot come from a loan or line of credit.
| Family Size | Minimum Funds Required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $14,690 |
| 2 persons | $18,288 |
| 3 persons | $22,483 |
| 4 persons | $27,297 |
| 5 persons | $30,690 |
| 6 persons | $34,917 |
| 7+ persons | $38,875 +$3,958 per additional person |
Note: IRCC updates these amounts annually. Always verify at canada.ca. CEC applicants with valid Canadian work authorization are generally exempt.
Government Fees After ITA
| Fee Type | Who Pays | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Processing fee — principal applicant | All applicants | $1,365 |
| Processing fee — spouse/partner | If including spouse | $1,365 |
| Processing fee — dependent child | Per child | $260 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | Principal applicant + spouse/partner | $515 each |
| Biometrics — individual | If not on file | $85 |
| Biometrics — family (2+ members) | If not on file | $170 (cap) |
A single applicant applying alone pays $1,880 CAD total ($1,365 processing + $515 RPRF). A couple with no children pays $3,760. Pay early — payment confirmation becomes part of your application.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Returned
IRCC returns incomplete applications without processing them. Here are the most common reasons applications get rejected or delayed after an ITA:
Expired Language Results
IELTS and CELPIP scores are valid for 2 years from the test date — not from when you submitted your profile. If your scores expire during the 60-day window, you must retake the test before submitting.
Missing Police Certificates
Forgetting a country where you lived for 6+ months is one of the top reasons for application returns. Think carefully about every country — including study abroad, work stints, and extended travel.
Vague Employment Letters
Letters that don't include your NOC code, main duties, or are not signed by a supervisor on company letterhead will not be accepted. Follow the exact IRCC requirements for reference letters.
Not Declaring All Family Members
You must declare all family members — spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children — even if they are not immigrating with you. Failure to declare a family member is misrepresentation and can lead to a ban.
Incorrect Document Translations
Any document not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. Use a certified translator — do not translate documents yourself or use uncertified online services.
Missing the 60-Day Deadline
This one is obvious but it happens. If life gets complicated — illness, employer delays, lost documents — contact your RCIC as soon as possible. IRCC does not grant extensions for ordinary situations.
What Happens After You Submit
Once you submit your complete application, IRCC sends an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR). After that, the application enters processing. Here is what to expect:
Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)
IRCC confirms they received your application. You can now track status through your MyCIC account. Keep your application number safe — you will need it for any enquiries.
Background and Security Checks
IRCC conducts criminal and security checks using your police certificates and biometrics. These are largely automated and run in parallel with other checks. For most applicants, these clear without issue.
Possible Additional Document Request (ADR)
IRCC may send an Additional Document Request asking for more information — updated proof of funds, additional employment evidence, or a translated document. Respond within the deadline given (typically 30–90 days).
COPR and PR Visa Issued
Once approved, IRCC issues your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If you are outside Canada, they also issue a single-entry PR visa. You must land in Canada before the COPR expiry date to become a permanent resident.
Land in Canada and Activate PR Status
At the port of entry, a CBSA officer will verify your COPR and passport, confirm your identity, and officially land you as a permanent resident. Your PR card will be mailed to your Canadian address within 60–90 days of landing.
Processing Times After Submission in 2026
| Stage | Approximate Timeline |
|---|---|
| AOR to active processing | 1–4 weeks |
| Total processing (complete application) | ~6 months (IRCC target) |
| Additional Document Request (if sent) | Adds 4–8 weeks |
| COPR to PR card by mail | 60–90 days after landing |
📚 Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions — After Getting an ITA
How long do I have after receiving an ITA?
Exactly 60 days from the ITA issue date. IRCC counts calendar days, not business days. No extensions are granted under ordinary circumstances. Submit before day 60 — not on day 60.
What documents do I need after getting an ITA?
Key documents include: valid passport, language test results (IELTS/CELPIP), ECA for foreign education, police certificates from every country you lived in for 6+ months since age 18, immigration medical exam, employment reference letters, proof of funds, and photos. Your MyCIC checklist is the authoritative list for your specific case.
How long does it take to get a Police Certificate?
Canada's RCMP PCC takes roughly 2–3 weeks. Other countries vary widely — the UK typically takes 3–5 weeks, while some countries can take 4–12 weeks. Start all PCC applications the same day you receive your ITA.
Do I need a medical exam after getting an ITA?
Yes. Complete your immigration medical with an IRCC-designated Panel Physician. Results are valid for 12 months. Book the appointment within the first week of receiving your ITA — wait times at popular clinics can be 2–3 weeks.
What is the proof of funds requirement in 2026?
FSW applicants without a valid Canadian job offer or work permit must show approximately CAD $14,690 for a single applicant, scaling up with family size. CEC applicants with valid Canadian work authorization are generally exempt. Always verify the current IRCC table before applying.
What happens if I miss the 60-day deadline?
Your ITA expires automatically. If your Express Entry profile is still active and valid, you remain in the pool and may receive another ITA in a future draw if your CRS score meets the cut-off. Your profile expiry date is 12 months from creation — check your MyCIC account to confirm it is still active.
Key Takeaways
- 60 days from ITA date — not from when you accept it — is your hard deadline
- Book your medical exam and apply for police certificates in the first 24 hours
- All family members must be declared, even those not immigrating with you
- Employment reference letters must be on company letterhead with NOC code and main duties
- Funds must be unencumbered — loans and credit lines do not count
- Government fees for a single applicant total $1,880 CAD ($1,365 + $515 RPRF)
- IRCC targets 6 months processing after receiving a complete application
- After COPR, land in Canada before expiry date to activate PR status