There is no room for mistakes in the Express Entry system because the application process is online, and the IRCC (formerly CIC) no longer sends letters asking for revisions. You will not be considered for Express Entry if your application contains mistakes or missing information. If the mistakes involve providing false personal information, you could be deported from Canada or restricted from entry into the country for five years.
Here are some of the most common Express Entry Canada mistakes applicants make and how to avoid them:
Listing inaccurate work experience
Leave out any jobs you held before you earned your current certification (of a business or profession) and/or diploma. Always keep in mind that the goal of Express Entry is to pair open Canadian jobs with skilled immigrants like yourself. If you want to get hired through Express Entry, you’ll need to provide relevant work experience in your profile.
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) wants to ensure that you are qualified for the position they are offering you. If you want to get hired, your online Express Entry profile and resume should perfectly match the job description.
If you want to work as the head of research for a Canadian pharmaceutical business, for instance, mentioning that you worked as a research assistant on the weekends when you were in high school won’t get you very far. You should only include work experience that’s relevant to your current Express Entry profile, such as research or other similar work that you did after earning your degree or certification. Including obsolete or unrelated work history in your Express Entry profile is a waste of space.
Not registering on Job Bank
If you don’t already have a job offer or a nomination from a province or territory’s nominee program, you should sign up with Canada’s Job Bank. Once you’ve submitted your Express Entry Profile, you’ll have 30 days to complete the process.
Keep in mind that there are certain time limits that must be met in order to submit a successful Express Entry application. You’ll have 60 days to submit your application after receiving your invitation. Make sure you mark all important dates on a calendar and work to complete tasks in plenty of time. Avoid rushing the application or submitting anything that isn’t completely finished. However, make sure you meet all deadlines, so you don’t hamper an otherwise solid application.
Not having worked your primary NOC code full-time for at least the past year
You will be automatically disqualified if your major NOC code on Express Entry indicates that you have less than one year of uninterrupted full-time experience (30 hours a week) or if it does not fall into TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Only list the principal NOC code in which you have worked full-time and at a skilled level for at least one year during the past decade. What you list as your primary NOC code will not affect your ability to find work in Canada, so don’t worry about jeopardizing your prospects. Once you’ve established yourself as a permanent resident of Canada, you’re free to pursue whatever line of work or industry you like.
Failing provide images in the specified dimensions
Your immigration application includes all the details you need regarding photo submission requirements and acceptable sizes. Incorrect photographs could result in your application being sent back to you or even rejected. So if you submit a half-body photo when a full-body one is required, immigration services may send your paperwork back to you or even ignore it completely.
If you’re applying for permanent residency in Canada or a visa, you’ll need a recent photograph, and IRCC has certain requirements for the dimensions of those images. So, make sure the photos you upload meet all of the necessary criteria.
Submitting an illegible, handwritten form
Though it’s not recommended, some people may choose to fill out the paperwork by hand. If the visa officer reviewing the file cannot read the applicant’s handwriting, or if they doubt the responses, the application will be denied. Moreover, it takes too much time to transfer data from a handwritten form because it can’t be validated, which slows down the processing of the document.
Applying online will help you prevent this kind of Express Entry mistake. Another advantage of utilizing a computer to fill out immigration paperwork is that you can save the files to your flash drive for future reference.
Having an out-of-date Express Entry profile
The results of your language examination are only applicable for two years. If you retook the exam, the results from the new attempt should be included in your profile. Similarly, if there have been any changes to your medical history, criminal record, financial situation, or level of schooling, you should notify the institution as soon as possible.
An out-of-date EE profile can cause unwanted difficulties because it cannot be updated after the ITA has been issued. Having a team of skilled and well-respected Canadian immigration lawyers on your side is a very smart move since successfully completing EE application can often be a complex process.
Not attaching a French or English translation
Canada recognizes both English and French as official languages. Therefore, only documents written in English or French will be accepted. Your application may be flagged as incomplete or rejected if you have not included a translation with your submission.
If the original document is not in English, you’ll have to submit a translation prepared by a certified translator. We recommend providing both the original document and the translated version alongside an affidavit from the translator. You can get your paperwork translated into either English or French.
When submitting an application to IRCC, applicants are required to provide translations of any supporting documents that are not in English or French. These include:
- An English or French translation with the seal of a qualified translator or an attestation from the individual who prepared the translation
- The translation deliverable should also contain a copy of the original document referenced by the translator along with the translated text. The affidavit should either include a translator’s stamp or refer to the original document and the translated version.
- A scanned original document or a scanned copy of an original document that has been certified as being an exact copy
Using the wrong payment optionÂ
Each type of immigration service has a unique set of payment options. If you try to submit the Right of Permanent Residence payment using a bank draft sent to the foreign visa office, it will most likely be sent back to you, delaying your application. This payment must be made in Canadian dollars to the Canadian Immigration Office and that too through an online payment system.
Visa offices often take local currency for immigration processing expenses. To find out how much that is in the local currency, you need to go to the office’s website and look it up there; the current exchange rate won’t give you an accurate estimate. If you submit an application with an inaccurate fee, it can be delayed or even returned to you.
Not being well-prepared for the IELTS exam
Your immigration to Canada could be jeopardized if you don’t study hard enough for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Even if you consider yourself to be proficient in English, the test environment is different. English proficiency alone will not ensure that you score well.
Don’t risk having your immigration application denied because of something you could have avoided. If you want to do well on the IELTS, take breaks often so that you can really take in the material you’re studying. To get the best possible IELTS score, it’s important to plan ahead of time and give yourself plenty of time to study.
Hiring an unlicensed Canadian immigration advisor or company
If you want to increase your chances of being accepted, hiring a representative to assist you with the application process is a good idea. However, in your desperate need for counsel, you might fall prey to scams. Many dishonest businesses may charge you excessive fees for a “guaranteed” visa that they cannot possibly provide.
Don’t work with someone who isn’t authorized to represent you. Never be afraid to request proof of credentials from potential Canadian immigration consultants. The International Committee for Responsible Consultancy in Immigration (ICCRC) must accredit immigration consultants before they can start offering any advisory services.
Get Professional Advice From a Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant or Lawyer
Look no further than Nanda & Associate Lawyers, where you’ll find both Canadian lawyers and immigration advisors who have passed rigorous regulatory examinations. Entrepreneur visas, Intra-Company Transfer work permits, Global Talent Streams, Labor Market Impact Assessments, Spousal Open work permits, etc., are just a few of the immigration inquiries we’ve handled for clients from all over the world.
Schedule an appointment with us today, and we’ll help you with anything from filing your immigration appeal for your case to locating family sponsorship lawyers near you.
Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for legal advice.
