(ITAs)

Applicants in the Express Entry pool who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada are eligible to submit a formal application. Upon successful review and approval by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), they will be granted permanent residency status in Canada, extending to eligible accompanying family members.

Entering the Express Entry Pool and Obtaining an Invitation to Apply:

  1. Eligibility: Only individuals who meet the requirements of one of the Federal Economic Immigrant Programs (FSW, FST, or CEC) can enter the Express Entry Pool. These programs prioritize skilled workers with the potential to contribute to Canada’s economy.
  2. Profile creation and ranking: Applicants submit profiles to the Express Entry Pool, providing information about their education, work experience, language skills, and other factors. Each profile receives a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on this information.
  3. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): The CRS ranks applicants under four main components:
  • Human capital factors (education, language skills, etc.)
  • Accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors (if applicable)
  • Skill transferability factors (work experience, qualifications, etc.)
  • Either a provincial nomination or a Valid Job Offer with an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
  1. Points and cut-off scores: Applicants receive a maximum of 1,200 CRS points, with 600 points possible for human capital and skill transferability and 600 points for either a provincial nomination or a Valid Job Offer. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts regular Express Entry draws, inviting the highest-scoring applicants (based on a pre-determined cut-off score) to submit a formal application for permanent residence.
  2. Invitation to Apply (ITA): Applicants receive an ITA through their MyCIC account if their CRS score meets or exceeds the cut-off score for a specific draw. The ITA specifies the program (FSWC, FSTC, CEC, or PNC) under which the applicant is eligible to apply.
  3. Applying for permanent residence: Applicants invited through an ITA can submit a formal application for permanent residence, providing additional documentation and supporting information. IRCC reviews these applications and makes final decisions on permanent residency status.

Additional notes:

Document Requirements for Express Entry Application

Mandatory Documents:

  • Valid passport: Valid for at least one year after the expected date of your landing in Canada.
  • Birth certificate: Proof of your and your dependents’ birth.
  • Language test results: Proof of meeting Canadian language proficiency requirements (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP).
  • Work experience documentation: Evidence of your claimed work experience, including job titles, descriptions, dates, employers, and salaries.
  • Police clearance certificate(s): Issued by authorities in all countries where you’ve resided for six months or more in the past ten years.
  • Upfront medical receipt: Proof of payment for mandatory medical examinations.
  • Photographs: Passport-sized photos of yourself and your dependents.
  • Government processing fees: As prescribed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Additional Documents (May be required depending on your program and Express Entry profile):

  • Canadian Education Credential OR Educational Credential Assessment Report (ECA): If claiming Canadian educational qualifications.
  • Official transcripts: For all post-secondary education completed.
  • Secondary education documents: Proof of high school completion or equivalent.
  • Proof of relationship: Documentation confirming family relationships with dependents.
  • Proof of settlement funds: Evidence of sufficient financial resources to settle in Canada.
  • Original Offer of Employment (Permanent Fulltime): For applicants with a valid job offer supported by an LMIA.
  • Additional birth certificates: For family members and dependents.
  • Marriage certificate(s): Proof of marriage, if applicable.
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union and cohabitation documents: For common-law partners living together for at least 12 months.
  • Children’s birth certificates: Proofs of birth for all dependent children.
  • Divorce or annulment certificate(s): If previously married or partnered.
  • Death certificate(s): For deceased former spouses or partners.
  • Adoption papers: If applicable to a dependent child.
  • Proof of full custody: For children in your sole legal care.
  • Passport copies or travel documents: For all family members and dependents.
  • Trade qualification certificate (Canada): If claiming skilled trade experience.
  • Employment documents: Contracts, pay stubs, or reference letters supporting your work experience claims.
  • Tax documents: Proof of income from employment and other sources.
  • Legal name change or date of birth change documents: If applicable.

Important Deadline: Act within 60 Days

Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application and all required documents. To ensure a smooth application process, we recommend preparing your documents in advance.

Missing the Deadline:

Failing to submit a complete application within the 60-day period will result in:

  • Invalidation of your ITA: Your Invitation to Apply will no longer be valid, meaning you cannot proceed with your current application.
  • Re-entering the Pool: You will need to recreate your Express Entry profile and re-enter the pool to be considered for future draws.

Honesty Matters: Avoid Misrepresentation

Providing false information or withholding important details in your Express Entry application is misrepresentation. This is a serious offense with potential consequences, including:

  • Application refusal: Your application for permanent residence could be denied.
  • Five-year ban: You may be banned from re-entering the Express Entry pool for five years.
  • Legal troubles: Misrepresentation may constitute a legal offense with additional penalties.

What is misrepresentation?

Misrepresentation involves any act that misleads Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about your eligibility for permanent residence, such as:

  • Giving false information: Lying about your education, work experience, criminal record, or family ties.
  • Omitting key details: Failing to disclose important information like dependents, previous visa applications, or travel history.
  • Submitting fake documents: Providing forged or altered documents to support your application.

Examples:

  • Claiming a higher level of education than you have.
  • Not mentioning a criminal record.
  • Submitting a fake employment letter.

Remember:

  • You are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of your application and supporting documents.
  • Even if you did not intentionally mislead IRCC, you could still face consequences for misrepresentation.
  • Honesty is essential throughout the Express Entry process.

Accepting Your Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence:

Act Within 60 Days:

Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your complete permanent residence application, including all required documents. To ensure a smooth process, we recommend preparing your documents in advance.

Limited Timeframe:

This 60-day period is crucial. Start gathering and organizing your documents before receiving an ITA to avoid last-minute stress.

Missing the Deadline:

Failing to submit within 60 days will invalidate your ITA, and you’ll need to re-enter the Express Entry pool.

Submitting Your Application:

You can submit your application only after uploading and completing all document sections. The “Submit” option will be available once everything is ready. Submitting the complete application marks your acceptance of the ITA.

Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR):

Upon successful submission, you’ll receive an AOR confirming receipt of your application.

Application Review and Processing:

Citizenship & Immigration Canada (IRCC) will review your application for completeness and eligibility. Processing typically takes six months from submission.

 

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity: Expiration of Your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Your Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence is valid for 60 days. During this time, you must submit your complete application with all supporting documents. Otherwise, the ITA will automatically expire.

Consequences of Expiration:

If you miss the deadline and don’t submit your application within 60 days:

  • Your ITA will expire and become invalid.
  • You will not be considered for permanent residence under that specific invitation.
  • You will need to start over by:
    • Creating a new Express Entry profile.
    • Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria again.
    • Re-entering the pool and waiting for a new ITA in future draws.

You’re absolutely right! That’s a concise and accurate summary of the key points to remember about declining an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the Express Entry process. Here are some additional thoughts to consider:

  • It’s important to carefully evaluate your situation before making any decisions. Consider the reasons for declining and weigh them against the potential benefits of accepting the ITA. Seek professional advice if needed.
  • Document your reasons for declining. This can be helpful if you need to re-enter the pool or explain your situation to an immigration officer in the future.
  • Stay updated on the Express Entry system and your CRS score. The cut-off score for receiving an ITA can fluctuate, so it’s important to be aware of your chances of receiving another invitation in the future.
  • Focus on improving your CRS score if possible. This can increase your chances of receiving an ITA with a lower cut-off score in the future.

Overall, while declining an ITA can be a difficult decision, it’s important to remember that it’s an option you have and it doesn’t negatively impact your future chances. Always prioritize honesty and diligence throughout the immigration process, and make informed decisions based on your specific circumstances.

Do you have any other questions about declining an ITA or the Express Entry process in general? Remember, one call can make all the difference. Dial [phone number] now and let CanadaPass be your trusted partner on your path to Canadian success.