Nothing checked off yet

First visit? Here's how the map works.

Steps run in order. A dashed step is blocked: something before it has to be finished first.

Check a step off when it's done. Whatever it was blocking unlocks by itself.

Some steps are IRCC's to make, not yours. Those show as waiting and can't be checked off.

Start with step 1: Check your eligibility

Express EntryEnter the poolStep 7 of 12

BlockedRequiredYou are here

7. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

An Invitation to Apply arrives in your online account.

Waiting on: Enter the pool

Open this step

The rest of the pathway, folded up

This view fits the whole pathway on one screen: the step you're on is enlarged, its neighbours are shown small, and everything further out is folded into a summary bar you can open. The idea is borrowed from degree-of-interest trees (Card and Nation, 2002).

Times and fees on this page are rough and change without notice. Check canada.ca before you pay for anything or make a plan around a date.

Step 7 of 12 · RequiredClose

Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

BlockedRequired

The authority on this stepRounds of invitations: Express Entrycanada.ca · Government of Canada

IRCC is the only authority here. Our summary is here to help you find your way. If anything below differs from the official page, the official page is right. Requirements, fees and processing times change without notice.

Our plain-language summaryLast reviewed 29 July 2026

An Invitation to Apply arrives in your online account. From that moment you have 60 days to submit a complete application. This step isn't yours to control, so you can't check it off.

Why it's required: Without an invitation there's no application. Prepare the documents before it arrives: 60 days isn't long for police certificates.

Deadline once invited60 daysFirm. Missing it means going back to the pool.

Who controls itIRCCDraw dates and cut-offs are announced afterwards.

Before this step

BlockedEnter the pool

Finishing this unlocks: Submit your application (60 days)