Understanding Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the Express Entry System

An ITA is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to candidates in the Express Entry pool.

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada, you may be familiar with the Express Entry system. This system allows skilled workers from around the world to apply for permanent residence in Canada. One of the most important steps in this process is receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Here’s what you need to know about ITAs:

• An ITA is a document issued by IRCC to candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet certain criteria. If you receive an ITA, you will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

• With an ITA, you can include your accompanying family members in your application. This may include your spouse or common-law partner, as well as any dependent children. However, it’s important to note that all accompanying family members must have been included on your initial Express Entry profile.

• Before you can receive an ITA, there are several preliminary steps you must complete. These include creating an Express Entry profile and submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) indicating your interest in immigrating to Canada.

• It’s important to keep in mind that receiving an ITA is not a guarantee that your application will be accepted. You will still need to meet all of the eligibility requirements and submit a complete and accurate application.

• To increase your chances of success, it’s important to seek guidance and support from qualified professionals. This may include immigration consultants or lawyers who can provide valuable advice and assistance throughout the application process.

However, receiving an ITA is not a guarantee that your application will be accepted. It’s important to complete all preliminary steps and know what to do to ensure that you’re on the right track towards achieving your Canadian immigration goals.

Your profile will be evaluated based on the information provided, and you’ll be assigned a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Only the most competitive candidates receive ITAs, so it’s important to have a high CRS score.

If you’re issued an ITA, you can apply for Canadian permanent residence and may immigrate to Canada with your accompanying family members, if applicable. This includes your spouse or common-law partner and any dependent children who were included on your initial Express Entry profile.

Do you need assistance with your Express Entry profile? Look no further, as we are here to help you every step of the way! Contact us today and we will make sure that everything is done the right way just for you. Don’t let uncertainties hold you back, take the first step towards your dream today!

 

How to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you are interested in applying for permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry, it’s important to understand how to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Here are the two key criteria you need to meet:

• Eligibility for a skilled worker immigration program aligned with Express Entry: To be eligible for an ITA, you must first demonstrate that you are eligible for at least one of the skilled worker immigration programs that are aligned with Express Entry. These include the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class. If you meet the requirements for one of these programs, you may create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool of candidates.

• Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: Once your profile is submitted and deemed eligible, you will be given a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This score is based on the information you provided when you created your Express Entry profile, including factors such as your age, education, work experience, language ability, and other criteria. The CRS score is used to rank candidates against one another in the Express Entry pool, and only the most competitive candidates receive ITAs.

To increase your chances of receiving an ITA, it’s important to make sure that your Express Entry profile is as strong as possible. This may involve improving your language skills, obtaining additional education or work experience, or seeking advice from qualified professionals. By carefully preparing your Express Entry profile and ensuring that you meet the eligibility requirements for one of the skilled worker immigration programs, you can maximize your chances of receiving an ITA and achieving your Canadian immigration goals.

Therefore, candidates should gather all required documents and review them thoroughly ahead of time. Waiting until after receiving the invitation may result in not being able to meet the deadline. If a candidate misses the deadline, the invitation to apply will no longer be valid. Candidates can choose to decline the invitation if they wish, but if they are still eligible, their profile will be returned to the Express Entry pool and considered in future draws.

 

How long does it take to receive an ITA?

To receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada, candidates must first meet the cut-off threshold in a draw conducted by IRCC from the Express Entry pool. If they are fortunate enough to receive an invitation, they will have only 60 calendar days to submit their application. Candidates must be well-prepared before receiving the invitation, as extensions are not granted under any circumstances.

Candidates in the Express Entry pool can expect to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) within a few days to a few weeks if they have a high ranking in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). However, if a candidate is not selected right away, their profile will remain active in the pool for 12 months.

If several months have passed and a candidate has not received an ITA, they may want to consider ways to increase their CRS score. Retaking language tests or exploring provincial nomination programs are two options to boost their ranking.

 

Documentation required for your invitation to apply (ITA)

When you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Express Entry, you will need to provide a range of documentation to support your application for permanent residence in Canada. Here are some of the most common documents that may be required:

Some of the mandatory and additional documents:

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Language test results
• Documentation attesting to work experience
• Police clearance certificate(s)
• Upfront medical receipt
• Photographs of principal applicant and family members
• Translations to English or French (if documents are in a language other than these)
• Copies of work contracts and/or pay stubs
• Documents relating to income taxation
• Canadian Education Credential OR Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
• Official transcripts of post-secondary education study program courses taken
• Secondary education documents
• Original letter from a Canadian employer indicating an offer of arranged employment
• Proof of family relationship(s) in Canada
• Proof of settlement funds
• Legal documents showing changes in name or date of birth
• Marriage certificate(s)
• Signed Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union and documents attesting to cohabitation for a period of at least 12 months
• Divorce or annulment certificate(s)

Speak now with Akrami and Associates to learn more about the documents required to successfully complete your ITA process.

Remember, the documentation requirements can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the program under which you are invited, your civil status, your nationality, and your work or education history. As such, there is no ‘one size fits all’ documentation checklist for ITA applicants.

It is important to note that former employers may be difficult to track down, and even when you have found them, it may prove doubly difficult to get them to write a reference letter, as required. Additionally, applicants need to submit a police clearance certificate from each country they have lived in for six months or longer since the age of 18. Depending on the country, this could result in having to navigate a complex bureaucracy.

To maximize your chances of success with your Express Entry profile, we highly recommend that you begin collecting the required documents as soon as possible. Ensure that your documentation is accurate, current, and complete, as even a minor mistake can lead to considerable delays or even the rejection of your application. Allow Akrami and Associates to assist you in taking control of your future and increasing your chances of success by staying organized and well-prepared. Click here to get in touch with us now!

 

How much does it cost to submit your application

The price of submitting an eAPR (electronic Application for Permanent Residence) is determined by various factors including family size, number of countries lived in, and the need for document translation.

• The application fee for the principal applicant is $1325, and the same amount applies to the spouse.
• Each dependent child costs $225.
• Additionally, biometrics cost $85 per person, while the average cost for medical examination fees is $450 per adult and $250 per child.
• For police clearance certificates, the average cost per country is $100.

 

Submitting your application – online

When you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you can start the process of submitting your application online. The process is commonly referred to as an e-application or e-APR (electronic application for permanent residence). While some applicants find the process to be simple, others may face glitches or difficulties uploading required documents.

To ensure a smooth application process, it is essential to give yourself enough time to complete the application. It is also important to note that the online system often requires all documents related to a single piece of information to be uploaded in a single PDF file, with a limit on the file size. It is helpful to have access to a program that allows you to combine PDF documents easily and reduce the file size.

Moreover, it is important to know that when you apply, you must pay a processing fee of CAD $825 for each adult included on the application. You also have to pay a Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) of CAD $500 per adult and $225 per child included in the application. You can choose to pay the RPRF upon initial submission of the application, or you can opt to pay it later when your application reaches the final stages of processing.

It is crucial to double-check and triple-check your application before submitting, as you will not be able to make any changes to it once submitted. If you forget to include a mandatory document after submitting the application, you will not be able to submit it retroactively. In case of any uncertainty, having a representative examine your profile can prove beneficial. At Akrami & Associates, we are experienced in immigration matters and can help you identify any concerns that may hinder you from receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Submitting an eAPR can be a complicated and stressful experience. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you prepare your documents in advance and avoid leaving the application until the last minute. Remember that this is a high-stakes application that can lead to permanent resident status. If there was a stage of the process where it makes sense to seek help from a professional, this is it.

 

Get in touch with Akrami & Associates!

It’s important to ensure that your Express Entry profile is accurate and up-to-date. If you’re unsure about any aspect of your profile, it may be beneficial to have a representative take a look at it. At Akrami & Associates, we have expertise in immigration matters, and can help you identify any issues that may be holding you back from receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

If you need assistance with your Express Entry profile, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help ensure that everything is done correctly and efficiently. Our team specializes in immigration matters and is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.

 

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You can reach us by calling 416-477-2545 or our toll-free number at 1-877-820-7121.

At Akrami & Associates, we believe that there is always a way to achieve your immigration goals.

Watch now on Akrami & Associates’ YouTube channel | What can cause the rejection of your Express Entry to Canada?