Applying for Express Entry to immigrate to Canada is a competitive process, and even small mistakes can lead to rejection. Understanding the common reasons applications get refused can help you avoid errors and improve your chances of success.
1. Incomplete or Incorrect Documents
Providing incorrect or missing documents is a leading cause of rejection. Common mistakes include:
- Untranslated documents – All documents must be in English or French, with certified translations.
- Missing educational credentials – If you claim education points, you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an approved agency.
- Incomplete proof of work experience – Job reference letters must include job duties, salary, and employer details. Generic letters without enough detail can lead to refusal.
- Expired documents – Police certificates, medical exams, and passports must be valid when submitted.
2. Not Meeting the Proof of Funds Requirement
Applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) must show enough settlement funds. Common issues include:
- Insufficient funds – Bank statements must show the required amount based on family size.
- Funds not in your name – The money must be under the principal applicant or spouse.
- Inaccessible funds – Loans, borrowed money, or non-liquid assets (like property) don’t count.
3. Misrepresentation or False Information
Providing false information—intentionally or accidentally—can lead to rejection or even a five-year ban from reapplying. Common misrepresentations include:
- Exaggerating work experience – Claiming a job title or duties that don’t match official records.
- Providing fake job offers – A job offer must be from a valid Canadian employer with an approved LMIA (if required).
- False family information – Not declaring dependents or providing incorrect marital status.
4. Low CRS Score in the Express Entry Pool
Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score determines if you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Reasons for a low CRS score include:
- Lack of language proficiency – A low IELTS/CELPIP (English) or TEF/TCF (French) score reduces points.
- Limited work experience – More years of work experience (especially in Canada) increase your CRS.
- No provincial nomination – A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination boosts your score by 600 points.
5. Expired Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Once you receive an ITA, you must submit your application within 60 days. If you fail to submit on time, your ITA will expire, and you’ll have to re-enter the Express Entry pool.
6. Medical Inadmissibility
All applicants must undergo a medical exam by an approved panel physician. Reasons for medical inadmissibility include:
- Serious health conditions that may burden Canada’s healthcare system.
- Communicable diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, untreated syphilis).
7. Criminal Inadmissibility
A criminal record (even for minor offenses) can lead to rejection. If you have past convictions, consider applying for criminal rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) before submitting your application.
8. Incomplete Travel History
Failing to provide a complete 10-year travel history (or since age 18) can cause issues. Ensure:
- All trips are listed with correct dates.
- No unexplained gaps in history.
9. Not Meeting the Program’s Eligibility Requirements
Each Express Entry program has specific eligibility criteria:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) – Requires at least one year of continuous work experience in a skilled job (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – Requires one year of work experience in Canada in the past three years.
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST) – Requires a valid job offer or a trade certification from a Canadian province/territory.
10. Incomplete or Incorrect Payment of Fees
Applicants must pay the right fees using an accepted payment method. Common mistakes include:
- Paying the wrong amount for processing fees, biometrics, or the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF).
- Payment failure due to expired cards or insufficient funds.
Avoiding these mistakes increases your chances of Express Entry success.