If we went by everyone's speculations on this thread we'd all have ITAs in our hand.
On a serious note, my IELTS expires in January and I'm stuck at 429. Does anyone speculate me making it before that?
I get hungry when I see your username.
I think you will receive ITA soon, well before January.
Regarding how long you need to have unexpired IELTS scores, it appears your IELTS scores need to be valid until e-APR is submitted (i.e., when you submit your application post ITA).
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/language-testing.asp
Your test results must be valid (less than two years old) when you:
- complete your Express Entry profile
- apply for permanent residence
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/perm/express/refuse.asp
Requirement to maintain the CRS score
An applicant’s CRS score is automatically recorded in GCMS at the time when
- their ITA is issued; and
- their e-APR is submitted.
At the time of the e-APR, processing officers should compare both CRS scores to determine which of the following scenarios should be applied:
- If the applicant’s CRS score at the time of the e-APR is equal to or higher than the lowest-ranked score in the round of invitations, the application will not be refused under section A11.2, as long as the applicant’s supporting documentation corroborates their claims and they continue to meet the MEC for Express Entry, including the requirements of the program to which they were invited to apply.
- If the applicant’s CRS score at the time of the e-APR is lower than the lowest-ranked score in the round of invitations, the application should be refused under section A11.2 for not having maintained the qualifications that would justify the ITA.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/perm/express/invite.asp
When a candidate’s situation changes after the ITA is issued
Candidates are responsible for ensuring that the information in their Express Entry profile is up-to-date and accurate at all times.
Candidates’ Express Entry profile is automatically “locked” when they are issued an ITA. Candidates can only revise their profile information if they formally decline the ITA through their online account; however, their information may be updated in their APR. When a candidate declines an ITA, they are automatically returned to the pool and will be able to update their profile information, as they wait for a new ITA.
If a candidate realizes after having been issued an ITA that their circumstance has changed or that the information in their profile, on the basis of which they were issued an ITA, is no longer accurate, the candidate is instructed to recalculate their CRS score using the
Express Entry calculator on the IRCC website. Examples of changes in circumstance that can impact a CRS score are listed below.
Where there is a change in circumstance and the candidate goes forward with submitting an APR, the candidate must ensure that the change in circumstance is properly reflected in their APR (i.e., the candidate must amend the information that was automatically transferred from their profile to their APR before submitting their application).
As per the
Express Entry Ministerial Instructions, candidates are encouraged to decline an ITA if their change in circumstance negatively impacts their eligibility such that they no longer meet the MEC of the federal immigration program to which they were invited to apply, or if their recalculated CRS score falls below the lowest ranked candidate in their round of invitations. Applicants who cannot provide proof of the information provided in their profile, on the basis of which they were invited to apply, will be
refused on section A11.2 and assessed for misrepresentation. Cost recovery fees will not be refunded.
Examples of change in circumstance that would impact a candidate’s CRS score
Changes that could increase a candidate's CRS score:
- Graduation from a higher level of schooling;
- Reaching an additional year of Canadian work experience;
- Obtaining a certificate of qualification
- Improved language test scores.
Changes that could decrease a candidate's CRS score:
- New language test score sat a lower level (e.g., original scores expire and candidate retakes the test, with lower results);
- Loss of a qualifying offer of arranged employment.
Change that could either increase or decrease a candidate's CRS score: