After Your ITA: The Express Entry e-APR Application Step-by-Step (2026)

What documents do you need for the e-APR?

You need documents that prove every part of your profile: your identity, language ability, education, work history, funds, and admissibility. Missing or inconsistent documents are the top reason applications are refused or delayed, so gather them before the clock runs down.

How much does the Express Entry PR application cost?

The main government fees are about CAD $990 for processing plus a $600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) per adult, and $85 for biometrics per person, so a single adult pays roughly $1,675 in government fees. On top of that, you must show settlement funds, which is money you keep, not a fee: $15,263 for a single applicant, rising with family size. Budget separately for third-party costs like the language test, ECA, medical exam, and translations. Fees can change, so confirm current amounts on the official IRCC fee schedule before you pay.

What happens after you submit the e-APR?

After you submit and pay, IRCC sends an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), then moves your file through a set sequence: you give biometrics, complete your medical exam if you have not already, and IRCC runs security and background checks. When everything clears, you receive a passport request (PPR) and your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Most complete Express Entry applications are processed within about six months, though individual files vary.

• Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) confirms your application is in the queue
• Biometrics instruction letter arrives shortly after AOR
• Medical exam is validated (upfront exams speed this up)
• Security, criminality, and background checks run in the background
• Passport request (PPR) and COPR are the final steps

Can you decline an ITA if you are not ready?

Yes, you can decline an Invitation to Apply and your profile goes back into the pool, keeping your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and eligibility. This is the right move if you cannot get a key document, like a police certificate or ECA, within the 60 days, because submitting an incomplete or inaccurate application risks a refusal. You can be invited again in a future round if your score stays competitive.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to submit after an ITA? You have 60 days from the date of your Invitation to Apply to submit a complete e-APR.

What is an e-APR? The electronic application for permanent residence, the full application you submit online after your ITA, with all supporting documents uploaded.

What happens if I miss the 60-day deadline? Your invitation expires. You can decline before it expires to return to the pool, or wait for a new invitation if your score remains competitive.

Do I need a medical exam before I apply? You can complete an upfront medical exam before submitting, which often speeds up processing, or wait for IRCC to request one after you apply.

Turning your ITA into a submitted application

The candidates who clear the 60-day window without stress are the ones who prepared their documents while still in the pool, so the ITA becomes a formality, not a scramble. As a licensed Canadian immigration firm, we help candidates assemble a complete, consistent e-APR that stands up to an officer's review. If you just received an ITA or expect one soon, book a consultation with our team.

Sources

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Proof of funds
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Express Entry: Police certificates