Thinking of Applying for Express Entry?

Thinking of Applying for Express Entry? Here's Everything You Need to Know About Profiles, Requirements, and Next Steps

Can I Update My Express Entry Profile?

Yes, you can update your Express Entry profile at any time before you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Express Entry operates on a pool system, where candidates submit their profile into the pool to be ranked against others. Updating certain details in your profile can help improve your ranking and chances of being invited to apply.

Some of the key things you can update in your Express Entry profile include:

- Education credentials
- Language ability test scores (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF)
- Work experience details
- Self-declared improvements in language ability
- Changes in marital status or family members

To update your Express Entry profile, you simply need to login to your online account, make the changes, and submit the updates. The updated details will be used the next time your profile is ranked against others in the pool. 

So in summary - yes, you absolutely can and should update your Express Entry profile before getting an ITA if you have additional qualifications, work experience, or other improvements that can boost your ranking and chances of receiving an invitation. The profile updates are easy to make through your online account.

Can I Apply For Express Entry From Quebec?

No, Quebec has a separate immigration program and does not participate in Express Entry. If you want to immigrate to the province of Quebec, you need to apply through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program rather than Express Entry. 

The Express Entry system is managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and serves as the main way to immigrate to all provinces and territories except Quebec. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is operated by the provincial government and is the only pathway if you want to live in Quebec permanently.

When you create an Express Entry profile, you must declare which province you intend to reside in if you receive a nomination. You cannot select Quebec as your intended destination province in the Express Entry pool. 

To immigrate to Quebec, you must apply directly to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, submit all required documents, and meet the eligibility criteria set by the Quebec government. Requirements are different than Express Entry.

If you receive a Quebec Selection Certificate after being accepted by the province, you can then use it to apply for permanent residence from IRCC through a special Quebec pathway. But you cannot use Express Entry or get into the Express Entry pool while living in Quebec.

The province has full autonomy over selecting economic immigrants destined for Quebec. Express Entry is for every other province and territory in Canada. To immigrate to Quebec, you must follow the Quebec Skilled Worker process.

Can I Apply For Express Entry Without IELTS?

Yes, you can apply for Express Entry without taking the IELTS test. Express Entry accepts several English language proficiency exams, not just IELTS. The other accepted exams are:

- CELPIP General 
- TEF Canada 
- TCF Canada

So if you take one of those tests instead of IELTS, you can still be eligible for Express Entry. 

However, you do need to prove your English language skills through one of the approved exams. Express Entry requires strong English proficiency, as language ability is part of the comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score. Your language test results significantly impact your overall CRS score.

Scoring higher on an English exam can help improve your ranking. But if you have a low English test score, it could negatively affect your eligibility and ranking under Express Entry.

In summary, you can apply without taking IELTS in particular. But you still need to take and pass an approved English language test to qualify for Express Entry and get the best possible CRS score.

Can I Delete My Express Entry Profile?

You cannot delete an Express Entry profile on your own. Express Entry profiles are automatically deleted by IRCC after 12 months of inactivity. 

This means if you do not update your profile or receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence within 12 months, your profile will be deleted from the Express Entry pool automatically. 

In exceptional cases, you can contact IRCC and request that your profile be deleted earlier than the 12 month inactivity period. Reasons for early deletion may include a change in plans to immigrate to Canada, or an error in creating multiple profiles.

To request early deletion, you will need to contact IRCC and provide details on your case. If they approve the request, IRCC can delete your Express Entry profile before the standard 12 month automatic deletion period.

Outside of this exceptional circumstance, you cannot directly delete your Express Entry profile once created. You simply need to wait for the 12 month inactivity deletion to occur automatically if you no longer wish to maintain your profile.

Can I Withdraw My Express Entry Profile?

Yes, you can voluntarily withdraw your Express Entry profile at any time. Withdrawing your profile will remove you from the Express Entry pool of candidates. It essentially ends your candidacy for immigration to Canada through Express Entry.  

If you withdraw your profile, but are still eligible to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, you can submit a new profile at a later date. You would then be re-entered into the pool of candidates.

Withdrawing your profile may make sense if you are no longer interested in immigrating to Canada soon. Or if you need more time to improve your language test scores or gain more skilled work experience to increase your ranking and chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA). 

Withdrawing is easy to do through your online Express Entry account. You just need to follow the steps to voluntarily withdraw your profile. Once withdrawn, you will no longer be in the Express Entry pool.

Can I Submit Express Entry Without ECA?

No, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is mandatory to prove your foreign qualifications when applying for Express Entry. 

The ECA report must come from one of the designated organizations authorized by IRCC to be considered valid. These include:

- World Education Services (WES)
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) 
- International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
- Comparative Education Service (CES)  

The ECA is a crucial requirement under Express Entry as it is required to claim points for education. The ECA will verify your foreign degree, diploma or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian credential. 

Without an ECA report, applicants will not be able to claim any points for their education when submitting an Express Entry profile. The ECA is also required later when applicants with an ITA apply for permanent residence.

In short, obtaining an ECA is mandatory for Express Entry. It is not possible to submit an Express Entry profile or apply for PR without completing an ECA first.

Can I Apply For Express Entry Without Work Experience?

Yes, work experience is not an eligibility requirement for Express Entry. However, having skilled work experience can give you more points under the Comprehensive Ranking System that determines your Express Entry ranking. 

The Comprehensive Ranking System awards points based on factors like your age, education, language ability, and Canadian work experience. Skilled work experience can earn you additional points - but it's not mandatory to qualify.

You can still be eligible for Express Entry without any work experience if your score is high enough based on your other qualifications. The minimum score needed to qualify changes over time depending on the candidate pool.

The main Express Entry programs that require skilled work experience are:

- Federal Skilled Worker Program 
- Federal Skilled Trades Program

However, the Canadian Experience Class only requires 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada. And the Provincial Nominee Program depends on the specific province. 

So while work experience can improve your ranking, it is not an absolute requirement for Express Entry if you can still score enough points without it. Focus on maximizing your score based on your education, age, language ability and other factors. If your total score is above the current Express Entry cut-off, you can qualify without the need for work experience.

Can I Decline an Express Entry Invitation To Apply?

Yes, you can decline an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if you receive one but decide not to apply for permanent residence at that time. 

Declining an ITA stops your Express Entry candidacy. Your profile will be removed from the Express Entry pool if you decline the invitation. 

However, declining an ITA does not permanently prevent you from immigrating to Canada through Express Entry. You can submit a new Express Entry profile and re-enter the pool later if you still want to apply through Express Entry.

The main reasons someone might decline an ITA include:

- They are not ready to apply for permanent residence yet due to other obligations or life events. Declining allows them to re-enter the pool when they are ready.

- They received invites through multiple Express Entry streams and opted for a different program.

- Their circumstances changed since submitting their initial profile and they no longer qualify or cannot obtain the required supporting documents.

Declining an invitation is easy. You simply have to click "decline invitation" in your online account. There are no penalties or consequences beyond being removed from the pool at that time. 

You can submit a new profile in the future when you are interested in applying again. Your new profile will be ranked based on your updated information and you could be invited again at that point if you rank highly enough.

So in summary - yes, you can decline an Express Entry ITA. This stops your candidacy but allows you to re-enter the pool later by submitting a new profile.

Disclaimer:

The Information Provided In The Above Responses Is Intended For General Informational Purposes Only And Does Not Constitute Legal Advice. The Content Is Based On Publicly Available Information And Should Not Be Considered A Substitute For Professional Advice Tailored To Your Specific Situation.Sanjay Prasher And Canadian Title Immigration And Visa Consulting Strive To Ensure The Accuracy And Currency Of The Information Presented. However, Immigration Policies And Procedures Are Subject To Change, And Individual Cases May Vary. It Is Recommended That Individuals Seek Personalized Advice From Qualified Immigration Professionals Or Legal Practitioners Before Making Decisions Related To Their Express Entry Applications Or Any Immigration Matters.Sanjay Prasher And Canadian Title Immigration And Visa Consulting Disclaim Any Liability For Actions Taken Or Not Taken Based On The Information Provided. Reliance On The Information Without Seeking Professional Advice Is At The User's Own Risk.Please Note That Immigration Processes And Regulations Are Subject To Updates And Revisions. Users Are Encouraged To Verify The Information Through Official Channels Or Consult With Qualified Professionals For The Latest And Most Accurate Advice Tailored To Their Specific Circumstances.