A common reason Express Entry candidates miss their ITA deadline, and how to avoid it
Express Entry candidates have a limited time to submit their application for permanent residence after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The deadline is 60 days, and all required documentation must be included. One crucial document is a police certificate from every country the candidate has lived in for 6 months or more since turning 18, except Canada. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, police certificates are necessary to check if an applicant has a criminal record that could make them inadmissible to Canada.
what are the requirements for police certificates
Obtaining police certificates can be a lengthy process, and it varies depending on the country. Some countries issue the certificate quickly, while others may take months. IRCC advises candidates to start the police check process as soon as they enter the Express Entry pool to avoid delays. For example, I've seen cases where candidates had to wait up to 6 months to get a police certificate from certain countries. Candidates can visit IRCC's official police certificate webpage and select the applicable jurisdiction for country-specific information on how and where to get a police certificate.
To avoid missing the ITA deadline, candidates should start gathering required documents, including police certificates, as soon as they receive their ITA. If a candidate is unable to obtain a police certificate within the 60-day deadline, they can provide a letter of explanation and proof of efforts to obtain the certificate. This documentation should be uploaded in the country-specific police certificate field of the candidate's document checklist. An immigration officer will assess the application and supporting evidence, and whether this documentation is accepted is at the discretion of the reviewing officer. In my experience, it's essential to provide detailed proof of efforts to obtain the certificate, including receipts, emails, and other correspondence with the relevant authorities.
consequences of missing the ita deadline
If a candidate is unable to obtain a police certificate and does not provide the required documentation, their application will be considered incomplete and may be rejected. If a candidate declines an ITA, their profile will be returned to the Express Entry pool, provided it has not expired. They may be considered in future rounds, but another invitation is not guaranteed. For more information on the Express Entry process, candidates can visit the IRCC website or consult the Express Entry guide on our website. We also recommend checking out our news section for the latest updates on Express Entry and other Canadian immigration programs.
Candidates can use our CRS Score Calculator to estimate their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and improve their chances of receiving an ITA. We also have guides on police certificates and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that provide more detailed information on these topics. By understanding the requirements and process, candidates can better navigate the Express Entry system and increase their chances of success.
Official current rules are at canada.ca/immigration; this guide is independent reference content. *This article is subject to the canada.ca terms and conditions.