Your 60-day plan
Days 1 to 3: Recheck your score
Make sure your profile was right and that your score is still at or above the round's cut-off. Check for anything that changed: age, marital status, job, test results or work permit. Use our CRS calculator.
Week 1: Start the slow documents
- Police certificates from each country that needs one
- Reference letters from every employer you claimed
- Your medical exam with a panel physician, if you need one
Weeks 2 to 6: Fill in the form and gather the rest
Sign in to your account, go to "Continue my profile / application, not yet submitted" and start the form. The system gives you a personalized document checklist. See our document checklist.
Weeks 6 to 8: Review, pay and submit
Check that names, dates and job details match across every document. Pay your fees (see what it costs) and submit before the deadline.
When you should decline
If your situation changes, recalculate your score before you apply. IRCC says that if your new score is below the round's lowest score, you should decline. If you apply anyway, it may refuse your application and not refund your fee.
Common reasons:
- Your language results will expire before you apply. IRCC refuses applications with expired test results.
- Your Educational Credential Assessment has expired.
- Your work permit expired, and your job offer points relied on it.
- You can't get key documents in time.
Declining doesn't hurt your chances of being invited later, if you go back into the pool. But there's no guarantee you'll be invited again.
If you don't decline and you don't apply in 60 days, the invitation expires and your profile is removed from the pool. You'd need to create a new profile to be considered again.
Mistakes that cause refusals
- Work experience that doesn't match the NOC. Your duties must match the occupation you claimed.
- Weak reference letters missing hours, salary or duties.
- Not enough proof of funds, or no 6-month balance history. See proof of funds.
- Family members left out. You must list all family members, even those not coming.
- Something false or left out, which can lead to a 5-year ban.
Job offer and high-wage points
If you claimed points under the November 2026 rules, keep your evidence ready. Officers assess whether a job offer is genuine. If IRCC's high-wage list changes after your invitation, it keeps using the level from the date you were invited.
After you submit
You'll get an acknowledgement of receipt, then instructions for biometrics. See what happens after biometrics and our processing time guide.
FAQs
Can I extend the 60 days?
IRCC gives you 60 days and the invitation is valid for that time only. If you can't get a document in time, you can include an explanation and proof that you requested it.
Can I change my profile after an ITA?
Your application should reflect your real situation. If your score drops below the cut-off because of a change, IRCC says to decline.
What happens if I decline?
You can go back into the pool if your profile is still valid. It doesn't affect whether you're invited later, but a new invitation isn't guaranteed.