What is an ITA (Invitation to Apply) | How to Obtain it?

Planning to immigrate to Canada? Do you want to learn how to become a permanent resident of Canada?

Apparently, Canada issues numerous ITAs every two weeks. Applicants who complete the Express Entry program and obtain a high CRS score are often issued an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for permanent residency.

What is an ITA (Invitation to Apply)?

ITA or Invitation to Apply is a letter that applicants receive when their application gets selected through the Express Entry pool of candidates. ITA is given to applicants whose CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points are high. Invitation to Apply is issued based on the IRCC Express Entry draw pool, which comprises candidates who have made an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada.

Applicants frequently mistake this document for a letter from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination certificate. Instead, it is an auto-generated letter that is sent to candidates to certify that they can proceed with their permanent residency application.

How to obtain an ITA?

ITAs are only given to applicants who fulfill the federal economic immigration program’s basic eligibility requirements and are qualified to come to Canada. In order to receive an ITA, applicants must have a high CRS Express Entry pool score. CRS ranks your applications based on the following criteria:

• Education
• Skills
• Language Ability
• Work Experience
• Other Factors like Proof of funds and more.

What is a CRS Score?

When you register for the Express Entry program, your profile is assessed, and your CRS scores are calculated. The Canadian government uses the Comprehensive Ranking Method (CRS) to analyze and grade each express entry candidate’s application.

The CRS is based on a candidate’s age, job experience, education, language skills, and a number of other factors. Setpoints of 600 and extra 600 points are included in the CRS. The ultimate score is calculated using a total of 1,200 points.

What is the next step after receiving an ITA?

Applicants who are issued an ITA must complete the permanent residency application form within 60 days of receiving it.

What are the documents required for Express Entry Canada?

The Express Entry application involves

• CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) – Language Test approved by the Canadian government (English or French)
• ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)
• Medical exams
• Police Background checks
• Biometrics
• Your passport or travel document
• Proof of funds
• Provincial nomination (if you have)
• Job offer letter(if you have)
• At Least 1 year to 10 years off full-time work experience in a skilled occupation

What are the documents required for eAPR (Application for Permanent Residence)?

The following eAPR documents may be required, depending on the program under which a candidate was given an Invitation To Apply and the information submitted in his or her Express Entry profile:

• Canadian Education Credential OR Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
• Secondary education documents
• Original letter from a Canadian employer stating an offer of arranged employment
• Evidence of family relationship(s) in Canada
• Settlement funds proof
• Legal documents showing changes in name or date of birth
• Marriage certificate(s)
• Documents of accompanying spouse or common-law partner
• Documents of children, if applicable. (like a birth certificate)
• Proof of full custody for children
• Travel documents (non-passport)
• Certified copy of a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade occupation issued by a Canadian provincial/territorial authority
• Copies of work contracts
• Documents relating to income taxation

After submitting an Express Entry profile, how long does it take for an applicant to receive an ITA?

The IRCC usually issues an update regarding the number of ITAs awarded in a given month and the minimum points necessary to get one. If your application qualifies, you will be given an ITA within a period of one year. If you do not get an ITA within one year after applying and are still qualified, you can reapply.

What are the documents needed for the permanent residency application?

Applicants are required to submit the following documents along with a PR application form.

• Birth certificate
• Language test results
• Valid passport
• Documents attesting work experience
• Police Clearance Certificate(s)
• Upfront medical receipt
• Photographs of principal applicant and family members

What if the IRCC discovers inaccuracies in the application?

If IRCC finds that the information provided in the application is false, it is known as misrepresentation. The applicant may be penalized depending on the seriousness of the claim. The applicant may be removed from the Express Entry pool if he or she provides incorrect information.

When applying for immigration into Canada, the applicant should ensure that all of the papers given in the Express Entry program are factual and that the information provided is accurate in every way.

How to increase your chances of getting an ITA?

You must update your Express Entry profile in order to increase your chances of receiving an ITA. You may improve your profile in a variety of ways, including:

• Raise your education level
• Enhance your language skills
• Obtain more relevant work experience
• Obtain a legitimate employment offer in Canada.

Accepting an ITA

After the Invitation To Apply is given, the original profile information will be retained for 90 days. Therefore, candidates will have this amount of time to submit an application that is complete and correct, as well as any supporting papers.

Candidates are urged to begin collecting these papers before receiving an Invitation To Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada and ensuring that there is no delay in submission. If a candidate misses the 90-day limit, their Invitation To Apply for Permanent Residence will no longer be valid, and they have to reapply to the Express Entry pool.

Applicants are given the opportunity to submit an application once all sections of the document checklist have been completed. The option to submit will not be visible until all fields have been filled out. Acceptance is defined as the submission of the entire application. Once the file is uploaded, an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) will be provided automatically.

The IRCC will examine the application to see if it is both complete and eligible. The IRCC intends to finish this procedure within six months after receiving the applicant’s application.

When does the ITA’s validity expire?

It will be removed if no application is submitted by that time. Candidates who do not take any action within 90 days of receiving the invitation will have their ITAs expired. Post expiry of the ITA, candidates who still want to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry must create and submit a new Express Entry profile and be approved back into the pool to be included in future rounds of invites. Candidates must still fulfill the minimal requirements to re-enter the pool.