Maple News reports that submitting an Express Entry profile is the first step toward immigrating to Canada as a skilled worker. Applicants are evaluated through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which ranks them in the Express Entry pool based on criteria such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence are issued to top-ranking candidates.
However, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), individuals are permitted to have only one active Express Entry profile at a time. Canadian immigration regulations clearly prohibit maintaining multiple profiles under the same individual, regardless of the immigration program under which they might be eligible.
Despite this rule, a 2023 Strategic Policy and Planning report revealed a growing number of duplicate profiles in the Express Entry pool. By January 9, 2023, there were nearly 30,000 duplicate profiles tied to just over 10,000 unique candidates. Most duplicates showed no variation in CRS scores, with 70% displaying no changes between entries, indicating that few users were attempting to manipulate the system.
IRCC researchers believe this surge in duplicate profiles was likely due to procedural updates, specifically the November 16, 2022, deadline requiring users to revise their profiles to comply with the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021 code transition. The number of duplicate profiles jumped by 57% from October to November 2022, suggesting that confusion or an effort to ensure compliance triggered the increase.
Interestingly, over half of these duplicate profiles had been inactive for more than 100 days, suggesting abandonment rather than misuse. While the data does not point to systemic abuse, IRCC has acknowledged that the growing presence of duplicate profiles may necessitate a general cleanup of the system to maintain its efficiency and integrity.
Applicants aiming for Express Entry must qualify under one of Canada’s three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Once eligible, candidates can create a single online profile through IRCC’s portal and wait for an invitation based on their CRS score.
While some have created new GCKeys to submit fresh profiles—effectively bypassing some system limits—IRCC stresses that doing so does not increase a candidate’s chances of selection and could complicate the process. The Express Entry system is designed to be fair and efficient, and multiple profiles may cause unnecessary delays or confusion.
In conclusion, maintaining a single, up-to-date Express Entry profile not only aligns with IRCC regulations but also keeps your immigration process on track. With upcoming policy changes and growing demand for skilled immigrants, staying informed and compliant is critical for success.