You have created your Express Entry profile and hit submit. Now what? Many candidates are unclear about what happens next — how the system works and what actions you need to take while you wait.
Step 1: Your Profile Enters the Pool
Once submitted, your profile sits in the Express Entry pool alongside all other eligible candidates. Your CRS score determines your ranking. The pool contains tens of thousands of candidates at any time. Your profile is valid for 12 months — if you do not receive an ITA within that period, your profile expires and you must resubmit.
Step 2: IRCC Holds Draws
IRCC holds draws approximately every two weeks, inviting candidates above a certain cutoff score. Draw types include:
- General (No Program): Open to all eligible candidates
- Program-specific: CEC, FSWP, or FSTP only
- Category-based: Targeting specific occupations or French-language proficiency
Step 3: Update Your Profile While You Wait
Your profile is not static. Update it whenever your situation changes:
- New language test score
- New job offer or change in employment
- Additional Canadian work experience
- Provincial nomination received
- Change in marital status
Updates can change your CRS score — your score recalculates automatically after each update.
Step 4: Receiving an ITA
If your score meets or exceeds a draw cutoff, IRCC sends an Invitation to Apply by email and through your IRCC secure account. You have 60 days to submit a complete PR application. This window is tight — prepare documents before you receive the ITA.
What to Do While You Wait
- Get police clearance certificates from every country where you lived 6+ months — these can take weeks or months
- Complete your medical examination with an IRCC-approved physician (valid for 12 months)
- Ensure language test results will not expire before you can submit
- Gather employment reference letters
- Apply simultaneously to PNP streams you may qualify for
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How will I know if I received an ITA?
A: IRCC sends an email notification and posts it in your secure account. Check both regularly. Missing an ITA or not responding within 60 days forfeits the invitation.
Q: Can I have multiple profiles in the pool?
A: No. Only one active profile is allowed. Submitting a second while one is active may result in both being removed.
Q: What if my CRS score drops while I am in the pool?
A: Your score recalculates automatically. Monitor it and work to improve it proactively — retake language tests, gain more work experience, apply for PNP.
Bottom Line
Submitting your profile is the beginning, not the end. Use the waiting period to gather documents, improve your score, and apply to PNP streams simultaneously. When your ITA arrives, you need to be ready to submit a complete application within 60 days without scrambling.
