If you’ve received an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for Canada PR, pause for a moment. This is not just a notification in your Express Entry profile — it’s the gateway to permanent residence. In 2026, with CRS cut-offs often crossing the 500-point mark in general draws and category-based selections reshaping the landscape, receiving an ITA places you in a highly competitive bracket.

The real process begins after the ITA.

This guide answers common questions:

• What happens immediately after ITA?
• How strict is the 60-day deadline?
• What documents cause refusals?
• How does IRCC verify your work experience?
• Can your PR still be refused after ITA?

ITA: Why It Matters In 2026

Express Entry remains Canada’s primary economic immigration system.

• Category-based draws (Healthcare, STEM, French proficiency, Trades) reshape invitation trends.
• CRS thresholds in general draws frequently exceed 500.
• Provincial nominations add 600 CRS points.
• IRCC prioritizes candidates already inside Canada (CEC).

An ITA does not mean PR approval. It means IRCC has invited you to submit a complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

You now have 60 calendar days to upload all required documents.

What Happens Immediately After Receiving ITA?

Here is the process timeline:

Most refusals happen due to documentation gaps, not CRS miscalculations.

The 60-Day Rule: Why It’s More Serious Than It Sounds

• Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) can take 2–6 weeks.
• Employer reference letters require precise formatting.
• Proof of funds must show consistent balances.
• Medical appointments depend on panel physician availability.

Documents That Matter Most

Work Experience Letters

• Job title matching NOC/TEER
• Duties aligned with NOC description
• Hours worked per week
• Salary and benefits
• Signed with company contact details

Proof Of Funds (POF)

Funds must be readily available, not borrowed, and consistently maintained.

Medical Exams

• Must be completed by IRCC-approved panel physicians
• Assessed for infectious diseases and public health risk

Police Clearance Certificates (PCC)

Required for every country where you lived 6+ months after age 18.

Can You Be Refused After ITA?

Yes — your PR can be taken away and you can be made inadmissible (effectively “banned”) after you receive permanent residence, but only for specific, serious reasons. Below is a clear, practical breakdown of what can trigger that:

• Misrepresentation
• Incorrect NOC classification
• Expired language tests
• Inconsistent travel history
• Undeclared family members

Misrepresentation can result in a 5-year ban.

Processing Time After ITA

Unique Insight: The Hidden Verification Layer

• IRCC may call employers
• Verify LinkedIn profiles
• Cross-check tax filings
• Confirm provincial nomination authenticity
• Run security screenings

Strategic Considerations For Canadian & U.S. Applicants

For Canadian temporary residents:

• Maintain valid status
• Avoid job switching mid-application without advice

For U.S.-based professionals:

• Maintain travel history clarity
• Keep U.S. tax documentation
• Demonstrate lawful status in all countries lived in

Final Perspective

An ITA is not the finish line — it’s the compliance phase.

• CLB 9 remains strategically powerful
• Category-based draws shape invitations
• IRCC is increasingly data-driven

Treat your ITA like a legal submission, not just an upload task. Permanent residence is granted to accurate profiles.