Don't make these mistakes when trying to improve your Express Entry profile

Many applicants for permanent residence in Canada make the mistake of "tweaking" or modifying their Express Entry profile in an attempt to increase their points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). 

However, they overlook the fact that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) keeps a detailed record of all applications, visas, and information submitted in the past.

The problem arises when applicants receive the Invitation to Apply (ITA) and it is time to submit their employment letters, tax returns, and supporting documents to verify that the information provided on the form is accurate.

That is when immigration officers compare each piece of information, and if anything does not match previous records, the application loses credibility, so it is rejected and raises suspicions of misrepresentation, which results in a ban on entering Canada for up to 5 years.

If your profile needs updates, I encourage you to read about the most common mistakes people make when trying to improve it so you can avoid them and update it correctly.

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Critical Mistakes That Harm Your Express Entry Profile

Below, I outline the most common mistakes we find in the applications we receive at immigration consulting firms—mistakes you should avoid at all costs:

1. Omitting past or "minor" jobs on previous visa applications : Many foreign workers omit informal or short-term jobs on previous tourist or student visa applications because they consider them irrelevant. 

The error occurs when, while applying for permanent residence through Express Entry, they do include them to earn points under the system. 

When IRCC cross-checks the data, the officer notices an inconsistency, raising doubts about whether the applicant lied previously or on the current application. And any suspicion raised by immigration authorities can lead to the potential rejection of the application.

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2. Confusing work experience gained in Canada with that gained in your country of origin: For the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category, the law prohibits counting any hours worked in Canada while you had full-time student status. 

In contrast, for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), work experience gained in your home country while you were studying there can earn you points on your profile, provided it was skilled work (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) and paid. 

The problem is that confusing these criteria can falsely "inflate" your score, and this will be detected by the officer.

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3. Incorrectly filling in the NOC/TEER codes: In Canada, every job has a specific NOC (National Occupational Classification) code within the TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) classification system, and the applicant must know which code corresponds to their job. It is not enough to simply list their job title at the company. 

The mistake is in choosing a code based solely on the job title rather than the actual duties. 

If the duties described in your reference letter do not match the official description in the Canadian system, your experience will be disregarded and your score will drop dramatically.

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4. "Double-counting" work hours: Some candidates believe that working 60 hours a week allows them to gain a year's worth of experience in just six months. 

This is incorrect, as the system only recognizes a maximum of 30 hours per week. You cannot “fast-forward time” in this process; the law requires a minimum of 12 calendar months to count as one year of experience.

• For foreign workers: The system only recognizes a maximum of 30 hours per week and requires that the 1,560 hours of experience be completed over a period of at least 12 calendar months.
• For international students: The problem isn't just the hour limit, but immigration status. 

No work experience gained while on a full-time study permit in Canada counts toward points in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), regardless of how many hours you worked legally.

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5. Failure to report compensation in work experience: Under Canadian law, for an activity to be considered "work," it must have been paid (wage or commission). 

The mistake lies in reporting unpaid internships or volunteer work as professional experience to earn points in the system, which leads to the immediate rejection of the application due to a lack of proof of payment.

You can and should list your experience in your personal history; however, you should not try to claim points for it.

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An oversight or an inconsistency? The penalty is the same

IRCC doesn't forget. As human beings, we may inadvertently omit a job, but in Canada's immigration system database, such an omission or oversight is recorded as an inconsistency. 

If, after receiving your invitation (ITA), an officer invalidates a point and your score falls below the minimum required for the lottery, your application for permanent residency will be rejected, regardless of how far along the process is.

It could be even worse if officials believe he deliberately withheld information, as he would face a 5-year ban from entering Canada.

It is recommended that you familiarize yourself thoroughly with your profile and update it with consistent information that you can back up.

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Do you need help improving your Express Entry profile? At Immiland Canada, we can advise you.

Immigration services 

We are CICC-regulated consultants and Canadian attorneys, and we can evaluate your case to ensure that your current profile is consistent and risk-free. 

You can request a free evaluation by filling out the form below.

If you would like to schedule a consultation, click here.

I hope this information is helpful and that you'll obtain your permanent residency soon.

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With love,

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Immiland Canada