While not widely known, some candidates in the Express Entry pool may receive invitations to apply (ITAs) despite having a lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score than the draw cut-off.
This scenario often arises when a candidate is nearing a new year-of-experience threshold within the 60-day ITA validity period, whether in Canadian or foreign skilled work experience.
In such cases, candidates could secure an ITA before their score increases and must take specific steps to leverage this opportunity for permanent residence (PR).
This article explores:
- Reasons behind early ITAs for candidates;
- Actions to take if you receive an ITA during this “60-day gap,” and the risks of premature submission.
Understanding Early ITAs
The Express Entry system typically issues invitations based on candidates’ CRS scores at the draw time.
In practice, work-experience points are categorized into brackets (e.g., one year, two years, three years), with emphasis on entry dates in the profile.
Notably, work experience is often calculated by month rather than exact dates, allowing formal recognition at the start of the relevant month instead of the precise day.
Therefore, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) might occasionally grant an ITA in anticipation of a candidate reaching the next work experience milestone within the 60-day application window, based on the upcoming CRS.
This scenario applies to both Canadian and foreign work experiences.
Optimizing Your ITA
Step 1: Determine the New Experience Date
Applicants must accurately identify the date they meet the next work experience threshold to avoid complications during submission.
Step 2: Timely Application Submission
If you achieve the milestone before the 60-day limit, consider submitting a complete PR application post-reaching the additional experience date.
Submitting near the deadline is acceptable, provided your application is thorough and precise.
Step 3: Document Preparation
Ensure your work references and supporting evidence align with the