Express Entry invitation: What to do if you receive one?

The most awaited immigration draw of Canada is the Express Entry. The candidate enters the express entry pool after application and then he receives the ‘Invitation to apply’ (ITA).

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the body that deals with Canadian immigration.

• After receiving the invitation the candidate is given 60 days (90 days during COVID) to submit the full and complete application
• It is a time given to the candidate to fill the invitation devoid of any errors as even a minor mistake can lead to application refusal.
• It is mandatory to submit within the time frame as it would expire after 60 (or 90) days.
• If the application has expired the candidate must submit a new Express Entry profile and wait for the ITA again.

On February 13^th Canada created history by inviting 27,322 candidates in the biggest ever Express Entry draw since its inception. Invited candidates were eligible under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These were the profiles that were submitted before September 12, 2020, and the lowest possible CRS score of 75 which received the invitations. This again reassures Canada’s commitment towards inviting more than 400,000 immigrants in 2021.

So what should the candidate do after receiving the ITA?

The first step involves collecting all the documents together. The ITA will specify whether the candidate should apply under Canadian Experience Class or other Express Entry programs. The IRCC representative portal will generate personalized document checklist based on the immigration program applied for.

These are the following documents needed to submit along with the application:

• Valid passport
• Marital status documents
• IELTS Test Report Form
• Educational documents
• Work experience documents
• Medical certificates
• Police certificates
• Proof of funds
• Photos and other supporting documents as applicable.

Police clearance certificates are required in the countries you have lived in the last 10 years or since the age of 18 whichever is earlier. It is applicable for a country where the applicant has lived for six months or more continuously or cumulatively. Also, the candidate has to complete a medical exam through a panel physician approved by the IRCC. The next step is the biometrics wherein the Candidate will have fingerprints and photographs taken at a Visa Application Centre (CVAC).

Apart from this, the IRCC may request additional documents depending upon their review. It is always a good idea to revise all the documentation thoroughly before submitting it. After complete the medicals and the biometrics and uploading all the required documents the candidate can submit their application.

Although the processing time may vary from candidate to candidate, the IRCC may take six months on average to finalize an application. But there may be a delay in the process due to the ongoing pandemic.

During this time, the IRCC may contact the candidate for an interview before taking the final call. However, most applications are finalized without an interview. If selected, the candidate will receive ‘Confirmation of Permanent Residence’ (COPR) and a visa sticker will be stamped in their passport allowing them to travel to Canada. Further instructions will be disclosed in the mail.

At this stage, you are now ready to fly to Canada to start a new life.