Sometimes, when a person gets an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada, their Express Entry profile and their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score may change.

If this happens, they need to make sure they still qualify for permanent residence until they submit their electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

Express Entry is the official system employed by the Canadian government to effectively manage immigration applications for three specific programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skills Trade Program (FSTP). In line with Canada's Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025, the country has set a target to warmly receive a minimum of 82,000 new immigrants annually through the Express Entry system over the next three years.

In order to successfully immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry system, candidates need to enter the pool and submit their profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Once this is done, they have to wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) before they can proceed with their permanent residence (PR) application. It is not possible to apply for PR without an ITA. Upon receiving an ITA, candidates have a 60-day window to submit their electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

However, many Express Entry candidates wonder what happens if their profile undergoes changes after they have received an ITA. The following information will address this concern and provide guidance on ensuring a smooth application process for immigration through the Canada Express Entry system.

Different types of profile changes and the repercussions of providing incorrect information in the profile.

After an Express Entry draw, where several candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence (PR), it remains possible for the profile of an ITA recipient to undergo changes.

Important to note: Any changes to a candidate's profile following an Invitation to Apply (ITA) can significantly affect their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. It is crucial to understand that CRS scores become fixed only when a candidate submits their electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). Further details on this will be discussed later.

For instance, consider a scenario where a candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) but experiences subsequent changes in their career or education, gets married, celebrates a birthday, or witnesses the expiration of their language test results. These modifications may occur prior to the submission of their electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

Ensuring the accuracy and currency of your profile is crucial, regardless of the reason behind any changes. It is vital to provide correct information and avoid omitting important details. This is because providing false information or neglecting to disclose crucial information can lead to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rejecting immigration applications, declaring applicants inadmissible to Canada, or imposing a ban on applying to enter Canada for a duration of up to five years.

Making updates to an Express Entry profile following the receipt of an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

To prevent any adverse outcomes resulting from inaccurate or false profile information, candidates applying for any of the three programs under the management of Express Entry can utilize the following comprehensive guide to update their Express Entry profile after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Essentially, candidates have the freedom to make changes to their Express Entry profile without providing an explanation until they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). However, once an ITA is issued, this opportunity ceases as the candidate's profile is officially recorded in the Global Case Management System (GCMS).

Hence, during this period, applicants are required to take one of the following actions:

• Upload supplementary supporting documents to validate any changes in circumstances (such as marriage or career change) and maintain the accuracy of their profile.
• Submit a letter of explanation (LOE) to the government in situations where it is not feasible to obtain the necessary supporting documents.

The LOE provides applicants with an opportunity to explain that despite their efforts to collect all the required documents within the 60-day timeframe before their ITA expires, they were unable to do so.

Important to note: Letter of Explanations (LOEs) are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with approval or denial resting solely on the discretion of the reviewing immigration officer assigned to each application.

Profile changes can have a significant impact on a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Another consequence of profile changes after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is the potential alteration of a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which can impact their likelihood of receiving an ITA in a future Express Entry draw.

A candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score can fluctuate in various ways depending on different aspects of their profile. For example, individuals who secure a valid job offer or enhance their language test scores, education, or relevant work experience in their profile will accumulate more points. Consequently, their improved CRS score enhances their prospects of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

Profile changes and their impact on eligibility for Canadian permanent residence.

It is important to note that certain profile changes, including those that happen after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), can result in previously eligible candidates becoming ineligible for Canadian permanent residence. It is crucial to understand that a candidate's Express Entry profile remains open for modifications until they submit their electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR) to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

For instance, let's consider language test results, which hold validity for a duration of two years. If this two-year period expires before the submission of an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR), the candidate would become ineligible for Canadian permanent residence. Similarly, if a candidate fails to meet the income requirements set by IRCC, as indicated by their proof of funds, they would no longer meet the eligibility criteria. It's worth noting that these income requirements are adjusted annually based on 50% of the low-income cut-off totals. 

Effectively handling profile changes and potential delays in processing times.

Naturally, any profile changes, regardless of the stage, necessitate IRCC to allocate time for reassessing a candidate's eligibility and suitability for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry. Consequently, it is important to acknowledge that post-ITA profile changes can contribute to the overall processing time of a candidate's permanent residence application.

To ensure a smooth application process, it is important for Express Entry candidates to be proactive in submitting all the necessary documents and promptly updating their profiles. By doing so, they can effectively minimize the possibility of encountering delays during the application processing stage.

Furthermore, it can be highly beneficial to consider seeking guidance or assistance from a certified Canadian immigration consultant.

Round World Immigration can provide valuable support by:

• Assisting candidates in completing necessary forms and applications accurately and comprehensively
• Acting as a representative to communicate with the Canadian government on behalf of the applicant
• Utilizing their expertise to help avoid critical errors and navigate the immigration process smoothly