I Got an Express Entry ITA. What Happens Next?
After an Express Entry invitation to apply (ITA), you have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. Confirm your score still holds, gather your documents (police certificates, proof of funds, work reference letters and more), pay about $1,675 in government fees for a single applicant (including biometrics), and submit online. After that, you'll give biometrics within 30 days of the request and wait for a decision.
You have 60 days
Your invitation is valid for 60 days only. If you don't apply or decline in that time, it expires and your profile is removed from the pool. Some documents, especially police certificates from other countries, can take weeks, so start the day you're invited.
If you were invited before November 3, 2026, your application is assessed under the rules on the day you were invited. The new points won't be added later.
First, check that your score still holds
Before you start, recalculate your score as it stands today. It may have dropped if you:
- Lost a job offer or provincial nomination.
- Have expired or lower language test results.
- Had a birthday since you created your profile.
- Have a work permit that has expired or will expire before you apply.
If your recalculated score is below the cut-off for the round you were invited in, IRCC advises declining. If you apply anyway, your application may be refused and fees may not be refunded.
Documents checklist
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | For you and every family member |
| Language test results | Must still be valid (2 years from test date) |
| Educational Credential Assessment | For foreign education you claimed |
| Work reference letters | Must show duties matching your NOC, hours, salary and dates |
| Police certificates | For each country you lived in for 6+ months in a row since age 18 |
| Proof of funds | Unless you're exempt (see below) |
| Marriage, divorce or common-law documents | As applicable, e.g. IMM 5409 for common-law |
| Birth certificates | For dependent children |
| Provincial nomination certificate | If you have one |
| Translations | Certified translations of anything not in English or French |
Your IRCC account generates a personalized checklist once you complete the online form. Follow it exactly.
Do I need proof of funds?
Most Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants do. You're generally exempt if you're applying through the Canadian Experience Class, or if you're authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. Your funds must be available and not borrowed, and the amount depends on your family size.
Medical exam
If you've never had an immigration medical exam, IRCC suggests booking it after your invitation, as close as possible to applying, with an IRCC-approved panel physician. You can submit the panel physician's information printout with your application. If you had an exam in the last 5 years and live in Canada, you may not need another.
Fees
| Fee (from April 30, 2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Processing fee: principal applicant | $990 |
| Processing fee: accompanying spouse or partner | $990 |
| Processing fee: dependent child | $270 |
| Right of permanent residence fee (per adult) | $600 |
| Biometrics | $85 per person, or $170 per family |
| Single applicant total | $1,675 |
Processing fees are paid when you submit. Paying the right of permanent residence fee up front can avoid delays later.
How to submit
- Complete the online application in your IRCC account.
- Upload your documents using your personalized checklist. Scans must be clear and complete.
- Pay the fees by credit or debit card.
- Submit. The system won't let you submit until every required field and document is complete.
What happens after you submit?
- Acknowledgement of receipt (AOR): IRCC confirms in your account that it has your application.
- Biometrics: you have 30 days from the date on your biometrics letter to give fingerprints and a photo, if you're 14 to 79.
- Medical exam and background checks, if not already done.
- Updates: report changes such as a new job, a new baby or new test results through IRCC's web form.
- Decision: if approved, you'll pay any remaining fees and receive instructions to confirm your permanent residence.
If you're in Canada and your work permit is about to expire, you may qualify for a bridging open work permit so you can keep working while you wait.
Should I decline my ITA?
Declining puts you back in the pool, and it doesn't count against you in future rounds. It's the right choice if your score has dropped below the cut-off or you can't get key documents in time. There's no guarantee you'll be invited again, so get advice before declining.
Common mistakes we see after an ITA
- Leaving police certificates to the end. Some countries take months.
- Reference letters that don't match the NOC. Duties, hours and dates must support what you claimed.
- Information that differs from your profile. Mismatched dates or scores can lead to refusal or a misrepresentation concern.
- Proof of funds that dips or isn't explained. Large, unexplained deposits raise questions.
Every situation is different. Book a consultation with Osaro Ezomo, RCIC, for a review of yours.
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Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to apply after an Express Entry ITA?
60 days. If you don't apply or decline in that time, the invitation expires and your profile is removed from the pool.
How much does it cost to apply for PR after an ITA?
For a single applicant, about $1,675 in government fees: a $990 processing fee, a $600 right of permanent residence fee and $85 for biometrics. Medicals, police certificates and translations cost extra.
Do I need proof of funds for the Canadian Experience Class?
No. Canadian Experience Class applicants are exempt, as are applicants who are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer.
Can I decline an Express Entry invitation?
Yes. You return to the pool, and declining doesn't affect future invitations, though there's no guarantee you'll be invited again.
Will the November 3, 2026 changes apply to my ITA?
No. Your application is assessed under the rules in place on the day you were invited.
Fact-checked: Based on IRCC's Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry and Express Entry: After you apply pages, and IRCC's fee changes effective April 30, 2026. Verified October 28, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed immigration professional.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), licence #R711785. Osaro is the principal consultant at GLC Immigration Consulting in Calgary, Alberta, helping clients with Express Entry, provincial nomination, work and study permits and family sponsorship.
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