Maple News reports that as of April 2024, there are over 200,000 profiles in Canada’s federal Express Entry pool—yet many candidates may not receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence before their profiles expire.
Express Entry profiles are valid for 12 months from the date of submission. If a profile expires and no ITA has been issued, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not retain the candidate’s data. Although IRCC previously considered allowing profile data to be saved for ease of resubmission, this feature is currently not available.
Candidates who wish to remain active in the Express Entry system must create a new profile once the previous one expires. Maple News recommends that applicants save their profile information elsewhere—for example, by taking screenshots or copying it into a document—so it can be reused in the future.
To create a new profile, applicants must first withdraw their expiring or expired profile. IRCC outlines the withdrawal process as follows:
1. Sign in to your IRCC account.
2. Click “View the applications submitted.”
3. Select “Withdraw profile.”
4. Confirm by clicking “Continue” under the warning section.
After withdrawal, a new Express Entry profile can be submitted using the same online portal. Once submitted, candidates receive a new profile number and a new job seeker validation code. This code allows them to register with Canada’s Job Bank—a critical tool for matching candidates with potential employment opportunities in the country.
It’s also important to note that the Express Entry system does not allow multiple active profiles. Any attempt to create a second profile without withdrawing the previous one may result in errors or application complications.
Maple News encourages candidates to check their profile expiration date regularly and act early if necessary. Remaining proactive ensures continued eligibility within Canada’s highly competitive immigration process.
While waiting for an ITA, candidates can explore ways to improve their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score—such as enhancing language test results, gaining more work experience, or obtaining a valid Canadian job offer—to increase their chances in future draws.
Maple News will continue to monitor Express Entry developments and provide guidance to help applicants navigate Canada’s immigration landscape.