As of July 8, 2026.
Getting an Invitation to Apply is the milestone every Express Entry candidate waits for, but it starts a 60-day clock and the hardest paperwork of the whole process. This guide walks you through exactly what to do after your Invitation to Apply, from the document checklist to the fees to what happens once you submit.
TL;DR
After an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 60 days to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) through your online account. | The core documents are your language test, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), proof of funds, police certificates, medical exam, work reference letters, passport, and photos. | Government fees are about CAD $990 processing plus a $600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) per adult, plus $85 biometrics per person. Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades invitees must also show $15,263 in settlement funds as a single applicant, unless they have a valid job offer and are authorized to work in Canada. Canadian Experience Class invitees do not need proof of funds. | After you submit, you get an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), give biometrics, complete a medical exam, pass background checks, and finally receive a passport request and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
What happens after you get an ITA in Express Entry?
When you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opens a 60-day window for you to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence, called the e-APR, through your online account. Everything you claimed in your profile now has to be proven with documents. If you cannot gather everything in time or your situation changed, you can decline the ITA and return to the pool instead of submitting a weak application.
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.
| Document | Proves |
|---|
| Language test (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, or TEF/TCF) | Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) language points |
| Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | Foreign education for CRS points |
| Proof of funds | You can support yourself and your family (Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades invitees only; Canadian Experience Class invitees and job-offer holders authorized to work in Canada upload a letter instead) |
| Police certificates | Admissibility (criminality) |
| Medical exam | Admissibility (health) |
| Work reference letters | Your claimed skilled work experience |
| Passport and photos | Identity |
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, Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades invitees must show settlement funds, which is money you keep, not a fee: $15,263 for a single applicant, rising with family size. You do not need proof of funds if you were invited under the Canadian Experience Class, or if you have a valid job offer and are authorized to work in Canada. In that case, IRCC asks you to upload a letter explaining why. 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. If IRCC asks for more documents along the way, such as a background declaration (IMM 5669), answer by the deadline in the request; our IMM 5669 guide explains how to fill it out without gaps.
- 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 and IRCC removes your profile from the pool. To be considered in future rounds, you have to submit a new Express Entry profile and be accepted into the pool again. If you know you cannot apply in time, decline the invitation before the 60 days end so your current profile goes back into the pool.
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.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
