What happens after you get an ITA — the 60-day checklist

Your 60-Day Clock Started Ticking When That ITA Landed

The invitation to apply for Express Entry feels like winning the lottery. Then reality hits — you have 60 days to submit a perfect application or lose your spot.

IRCC doesn't care if you're on vacation, sick, or dealing with a family emergency. Miss the deadline and your ITA expires. No extensions, no second chances.

Week 1: Get Your Documents Started (Don't Wait)

Most people waste the first week celebrating or procrastinating. Big mistake. Some documents take 4-6 weeks to get, especially police certificates.

Order your police certificates immediately from every country where you've lived for 6+ months since age 18. Even if you think the background check from your Express Entry profile covers this — it doesn't.

Request official transcripts from every school you attended. Ask for multiple copies because IRCC wants originals. Digital copies won't work for most educational credentials.

Employment Letters: Where Most Applications Fall Apart

Your employment letters need to match your Express Entry profile exactly. Same job titles, same dates, same duties. One mismatch and IRCC can reject your entire application.

The letter must include your job title, employment dates, salary, hours worked per week, and a detailed list of your main duties. Generic letters kill applications. HR departments love writing vague letters that satisfy no one.

That's exactly what the letter review at ReadyForCanada checks — your duties against the official NOC description, line by line. Because IRCC officers compare them word for word.

Medical Exams: Book Early or Risk Missing Your Deadline

Panel physicians get booked up fast, especially in major cities. Don't wait until week 7 to book your medical exam — you might not get an appointment in time.

The medical exam results are valid for 12 months. If you're cutting it close on your 60-day deadline, book the exam as soon as you get your ITA.

Digital Photos That Actually Meet IRCC Specifications

IRCC's photo requirements are stricter than passport photos. The digital file needs to be between 420KB and 4MB, saved as JPEG, with specific pixel dimensions.

Most photo shops don't know IRCC's digital requirements. They'll give you a photo that looks perfect but gets rejected by the system. Bring the specifications from the IRCC website.

Proof of Funds: Show Them Fresh Money

Bank statements need to be recent — ideally dated within 2 weeks of submission. The account balance must stay above the required minimum for at least 6 months before you apply.

If you suddenly moved money into your account, IRCC will ask questions. Gifts from family need letters explaining the source of funds. Crypto gains, stock sales, loan payoffs — document everything.

Week 6: Start Uploading Documents

Don't wait until the last week to upload everything. The system crashes, files get corrupted, and you'll discover missing documents when it's too late to fix them.

Scan documents at high resolution but keep file sizes under 4MB. PDF format works best. Name your files clearly — "Smith_John_Employment_Letter_ABC_Company.pdf" not "letter.pdf."

Common Documents That Delay Applications

Digital photos get rejected for technical reasons more than any other document. Wrong file size, wrong dimensions, or poor image quality. Test your photos early.

Police certificates from certain countries take 8+ weeks. India, Pakistan, and several African countries are notorious for delays. If you've lived in these places, start the process immediately.

Educational credential assessments expire. Check your ECA report date. If it's close to expiring, you might need a new one before your application gets processed.

What Actually Happens After You Submit

IRCC aims to process complete applications in 6 months. That clock starts when you submit, not when you got your ITA. Incomplete applications sit longer while they request missing documents.

You'll get an acknowledgment email within 24 hours of submission. Then usually nothing for months. Check your online account regularly for requests for additional information.

Background checks happen during processing. IRCC verifies your employment, contacts your references, and double-checks everything you claimed. Lies or exaggerations can result in a 5-year ban from applying again.