Receiving an ITA plays a very vital role in the Express Entry process, and there are many questions one may have on the topic. If you are interested in becoming a permanent resident in Canada through ITA in Express Entry, read this information we have provided in order to guide you in the right direction.
What is an ITA?
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is an invitation that allows some people who submitted a profile to Express Entry to apply for permanent residence. If you accept the invitation, you application will be processed in 6 months or less.
What Do I Have to Do to Get an ITA?
To get an ITA you must have the following:
- a highly-ranked express entry profile
- a valid job offer
- be nominated by a province or territory
How can I improve my chances of getting an ITA?
You can improve your chances of getting an ITA by improving  your Express Entry profile score, so it is more highly ranked.
Below are the best ways to improve your score:
- contact provinces and territories to be considered for the Provincial Nominee Program
- secure a valid job offer in Canada
- improve your language skills
- improve your education
- get more relevant work experience
Make sure you have your documents ready as soon as you’re accepted into the Express Entry pool. Having your documents ready will make it easier to apply within the 90 days.
 After submitting my profile to Express Entry, what comes next?
IRCC has an up-to-date notice about the number of ITAs being issued that month, and minimum number of points you need to get an ITA.
If your Express Entry profile qualifies, you will be sent an ITA during this period.
Your profile expires after one year. If you don’t get an ITA for permanent residence, can withdraw your profile and submit it again to be considered for another year.
What should I expect after I get my ITA?
After receiving an ITA, you will:
- be told what skilled immigrant program you are accepted into
- have 60 days to apply for permanent residence
- need to submit the required documents and fees to complete your application for permanent residence
Keep in mind, your application may take up to 6 months to process if it’s complete and accurate.
If your application for permanent residence is successful, you will get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and/or a Permanent Residence Visa.
Declining an Invitation to Apply
If you decline an invitation, you’ll be put back into the Express Entry pool of candidates if you’re still eligible. You’ll be considered in future rounds of invitations.
In some cases, you may have to take steps to be considered again for the pool. For example:
- you may need to get another job offer if you got additional points for a job offer, but the job is no longer available to you
- you’ll have to update your Express Entry profile if your marital status changed
There is no guarantee that you’ll be invited to apply again. However, if you choose to re-enter the pool, declining an invitation won’t have a negative effect on whether or not you could be invited to apply later.
If you don’t decline an invitation and you don’t apply within 90 days, the invitation will expire. To be considered in future rounds of invitations you’ll have to:
- complete and submit a new Express Entry profile
- meet the eligibility
- be accepted to the pool again
Why seek help for obtaining an ITA
The most important aspect of the Express Entry Program is to provide complete and accurate information/documentation and get an ITA. Without an invitation, you are unable to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry Program. In order to receive an invitation, you have to be selected from a pool of applicants who are competing for an invitation.
Our job is to make your profile STAND OUT from the crowd. We will assess your case, highlight the best aspects of your application, and make sure that you have obtained the highest eligible score! This way, your chances of getting an invitation are maximized.
Call us today at 1.888.862.5892 for an assessment to see if you are eligible for Express Entry to Canada, or fill out our online assessment form.
VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Casey
Meet Casey, one of VisaPlace's immigration news contributors. She brings 6+ years of experience of content creation to VisaPlace. Casey has honed her expertise in delivering comprehensive and up-to-date content on immigration-related matters. Her work not only encompasses the complex legal aspects of immigration but also highlights the ever-evolving policies, procedures, and news that impact immigrants and aspiring visa holders.
