This article was updated more than 6 months ago. Some information may be outdated.
The deadline for which applicants are required to submit an application for permanent residence through the Express Entry system after being issued an invitation to apply has been reduced to 60 days, down from the previous 90 days.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the change on June 26.
Upon receipt of an invitation to apply, a candidate has 60 calendar days to do one of the following:
- Submit a complete application for permanent residence in their online account. This includes providing all supporting documentation.
- Decline the invitation to apply, if the candidate is not ready to apply within 60 calendar days of receiving the invitation or if they believe that a change in their circumstance has made them ineligible to be invited. In this case, the candidate’s profile will become “active” in the pool for the remaining days of the profile’s validity and the candidate will be considered for future rounds of invitations, as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
If the candidate does not respond to the invitation to apply (i.e., the candidate does not submit a complete application within 60 calendar days of receiving the invitation and does not formally decline the invitation within this delay), the invitation will expire and the candidate will no longer be in the Express Entry pool. To re-enter the pool, the candidate must submit a new profile in their online account and be assessed for eligibility at that time.
In effect, this change means that the Express Entry system reverts to the application deadline that was in place when the system was first introduced in January, 2015. The 60-day deadline remained in place until November, 2016, when an extension to 90 days was among a host of changes made at that time.
IRCC has now reverted to a 60-day deadline. However, Moving2Canada can confirm that the change is not retroactive, and applicants with an outstanding invitation – but who have not yet submitted their application – will remain subject to a 90-day deadline.
What is an invitation to apply?
An invitation to apply is a document issued by IRCC to candidates in the Express Entry pool who reach the conditions set when an Express Entry draw takes place. Candidates must meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score in order to be invited, and may need to be eligible for a specific Express Entry program, if the draw was program-specific.
With an invitation, a candidate may apply for Canadian permanent residence, with processing times of six months or less.
Invited candidates may immigrate to Canada with their accompanying family members, if applicable. This may include a spouse or common-law partner, as well as any dependent children.
![Handsome arab guy surfing on Internet, using laptop](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Handsome-arab-guy-surfing-on-Internet-using-laptop_social-1024x538.jpg)
Get personalized immigration help — for free!
About the author
![Hugo O'Doherty profile picture](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Hugo-Square.webp)
Hugo O'Doherty
Posted on June 26, 2018
Rate article
![1 Star 1 Star](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-postratings/images/stars_crystal/rating_off.gif)
![2 Stars 2 Stars](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-postratings/images/stars_crystal/rating_off.gif)
![3 Stars 3 Stars](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-postratings/images/stars_crystal/rating_off.gif)
![4 Stars 4 Stars](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-postratings/images/stars_crystal/rating_off.gif)
![5 Stars 5 Stars](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-postratings/images/stars_crystal/rating_off.gif)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Related articles
![Participation Age Increased To 35 For Luxembourgish IECers](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/iStock-1395461861.jpg)
Participation Age Increased To 35 For Luxembourgish IECers
Read more
![Navigating The 2024 Wildfire Season As A Newcomer To Canada](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/iStock-1455842741-1-1024x683.jpg)
Navigating The 2024 Wildfire Season As A Newcomer To Canada
Read more
![TFSAs Explained For Newcomers To Canada](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/iStock-2039204998-1-1024x683.jpg)
TFSAs Explained For Newcomers To Canada
Read more
![Northwest Territories Reaches PNP Allocation For 2024 – For The First Time](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NWT-1.jpg)
Northwest Territories Reaches PNP Allocation For 2024 – For The First Time
Read more
-
Canada Abroad
Canada Abroad is a transparent Canadian immigration consultancy with advice you can trust. Led by Deanne Acres-Lans (RCIC #508363), the team delivers professional, regulated, and efficient service.
-
Doherty Fultz Immigration
Led by Anthony Doherty (RCIC #510956) and Cassandra Fultz (#514356), the Doherty Fultz team uses their 40+ years of experience to empower you towards settling in Canada.
-
Perez McKenzie Immigration
Led by Jenny Perez (RCIC #423103), Perez McKenzie Immigration is a Canadian immigration consultancy based in British Columbia, with offices in Vancouver and Whistler.
Get your immigration questions answered by an expert
-
Find the best immigration program for you
Take our free immigration quiz and we'll tell you the best immigration programs for you!
-
Get matched to job opportunities
Get matched to job opportunities from Canadian employers who are seeking to hire people with your skills.
-
Access our immigration roadmaps
Our immigration roadmaps will teach you the basics of Express Entry, study permits, and more! Take control of your own immigration process.