What to Do After Receiving an Express Entry ITA (Invitation to Apply)

Receiving an Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA) is a significant milestone — IRCC has selected you from the pool and is inviting you to submit a permanent residence (PR) application. But the ITA itself is not an approval. It opens a 60-day window during which you must assemble and submit a complete, error-free application. What you do in those 60 days will determine whether you land in Canada as a permanent resident or return to the pool.

This guide walks through what to do after your Express Entry ITA, step by step — from understanding the deadline to tracking your application after it lands at IRCC. Processing times, fees, and document requirements can change; confirm current IRCC requirements on Canada.ca before you apply.

Day One: Understand What the Clock Means

The moment you accept your ITA, the 60-day countdown begins. This is not a soft guideline. IRCC's system will not accept a submission after the deadline passes, and there are no extensions. If you miss the window, the ITA expires and you re-enter the pool — or you do not, if your profile has since expired.

Use Day 1 to take stock of every document you will need and identify which ones will take the longest to obtain. Police certificates from some countries can take four to eight weeks. Medical examination appointments may have limited availability in your area. Starting those processes immediately is the single most important action you can take on Day 1.

Week One: Order Police Certificates

A police certificate (sometimes called a criminal record check or police clearance) is required from every country where you have lived for six months or longer since turning 18. Requirements vary by country — some nations issue certificates directly to applicants, others require you to apply through a Canadian visa application centre or embassy, and some have processing times measured in weeks.

Check the IRCC country-by-country list on Canada.ca for the specific instructions for each country you have lived in. Order all certificates immediately, even if you are confident your record is clean. IRCC will not waive this requirement.

Week One: Book Your Medical Examination

IRCC requires applicants and all family members included in the application — whether or not they are immigrating with you — to complete an immigration medical examination (IME) performed by a physician designated by IRCC (called a panel physician). You cannot use your own family doctor.

The IME typically includes a physical examination, chest X-ray, urine sample, and, depending on your age and background, blood work. Results are transmitted directly to IRCC by the panel physician; you do not receive a paper copy to include in your application. Results are generally valid for 12 months from the date of the examination, so timing matters. Find a designated panel physician through the IRCC website and book as early as possible.

Throughout the 60 Days: Gather Your Document Package

Beyond police certificates and medicals, a complete Express Entry PR application requires:

• Identity and civil status documents — valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate or proof of common-law partnership (if applicable), divorce decree (if applicable), children's birth certificates
• Proof of language proficiency — your official IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada results (check IRCC's rules on score validity and expiry dates)
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — if you used foreign credentials for your Express Entry profile, include the ECA report from an approved organization; if you have already submitted this, confirm it is still valid
• Proof of work experience — reference letters on employer letterhead confirming your title, duties, salary, and dates of employment; T4 slips, pay stubs, or equivalent foreign tax documents can supplement reference letters
• Proof of funds — bank statements, investment account statements, or other financial evidence showing you have sufficient settlement funds as per IRCC's published tables (amounts are updated periodically — confirm current minimums on Canada.ca)
• Photographs — passport-style photographs meeting IRCC's exact specifications for each applicant and dependent

Biometrics: Do Not Skip This Step

If you have not previously provided biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) to IRCC, or if your existing biometrics have expired, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) after you submit your application. You must attend a Service Canada location, a Canadian visa application centre, or another designated collection point to provide biometrics within the deadline stated in the BIL.

Biometrics are valid for ten years (or until the expiry of your travel document, whichever comes first), so if you provided them for a prior application within that window, you may not need to provide them again. Confirm your status in your IRCC secure account.

What "Complete Application" Actually Means

IRCC conducts a completeness check when it receives your application. A complete application means every required field is answered, every required document is uploaded in the correct format, all applicable fees are paid, and every family member who needs to be included has been included. If IRCC determines your application is incomplete, it will be returned to you — and if the 60-day window has already closed, it cannot be resubmitted.

Common reasons PR applications are refused or returned after an ITA include:

• Missing police certificates for one or more countries
• Expired or invalid language test scores
• Work experience reference letters that do not include required details (duties, salary, hours)
• Proof of funds that falls short of current minimums
• Failing to include a family member who required a medical examination
• Document uploads that are illegible, in an unsupported format, or incorrectly labelled

Review IRCC's application checklist carefully and cross-reference every item before you submit.

Fees: Right of Permanent Residence Fee and Processing Fee

You will pay two fees when submitting your application: the application processing fee and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). The RPRF is the fee you pay for the right to become a permanent resident; it applies to the principal applicant and any accompanying spouse or common-law partner. Dependent children are exempt from the RPRF.

Fee amounts are set by IRCC and may be adjusted over time. Confirm current amounts on Canada.ca before you pay. Fees paid are generally non-refundable even if your application is refused, though the RPRF may be refunded in certain circumstances if permanent residence is not granted.

After You Submit: Processing, COPR, and What Comes Next

Once IRCC receives a complete application, processing begins. IRCC publishes processing time targets on Canada.ca — as of writing, IRCC aims to finalize the majority of complete Express Entry applications within six months, but your individual timeline will depend on security screening, the completeness of your documents, and IRCC's current workload.

During processing, IRCC may issue a Request for Additional Documents if it needs clarification or further evidence. Respond promptly and completely to any such request.

When IRCC approves your application, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) — the official document confirming your PR status. If you are outside Canada, you will also receive a Permanent Resident Visa to use when entering Canada. If you are already in Canada, your COPR alone is sufficient for your landing. You must land in Canada (or confirm your PR status if already here) before the validity date on your COPR.

At the port of entry, a border services officer will verify your documents, confirm your identity, and formally acknowledge your landing as a permanent resident. Keep your COPR and related documents safe — you will need them when you apply for your Permanent Resident Card.

Frequently asked questions