Why your profile matters
- Your profile is a promise. Everything you enter must match the documents you'll upload after your ITA. If it doesn't, IRCC can refuse your application.
- Your score depends on it. Choosing the right education level, counting work correctly and entering both language tests can change your score by dozens of points.
- Eligibility for draws. The NOC codes you choose decide whether you qualify for category-based draws (healthcare, STEM, trades, etc.).
- It's valid for 12 months. Starting at the right time matters, especially if a birthday or a test expiry is coming.
What you need before creating a profile
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Passport number and dates |
| Language test results | CELPIP, IELTS General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada, less than 2 years old |
| ECA | For foreign education, from WES, ICAS, IQAS, CES, ICES, MCC or PEBC |
| Work history | Every job in the last 10 years: employer, dates, hours per week, duties |
| NOC codes | The NOC 2021 code and TEER level for each skilled job |
| Proof of funds amount | For FSW and FST candidates |
| Family information | Spouse/partner and children, even if they are not coming with you |
| Provincial nomination | If you already have one |
| Personal history | Addresses and activities for the last 10 years, with no gaps (needed later for the PR application) |
How we create your Express Entry profile
- Eligibility review. We check which programs you qualify for: CEC, FSW, FST.
- CRS calculation. We calculate your score both ways if you have a spouse, to choose the right principal applicant.
- NOC selection. We match each job to the right NOC code based on your real duties, not your job title.
- Work history check. We count eligible hours, check continuity and flag anything that won't count (e.g. work during full-time study).
- Document check. We confirm you can prove everything you're claiming before you claim it.
- Profile entry. We complete each section with you in your IRCC account.
- Final review. We check every answer against your documents.
- Submission. Your profile enters the pool, and you get your CRS score and profile number.
- Score plan. We give you a written plan with ways to raise your score while you wait.
Common Express Entry profile mistakes
| Mistake | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Wrong NOC code | Experience not accepted; refusal after ITA |
| Counting work while you were a full-time student | Lower eligible experience than claimed; refusal |
| Counting more than 30 hours/week | Applying before you have one year of eligible experience |
| Wrong education level (e.g. claiming "two or more credentials" without ECAs for both) | Score drops after ITA; refusal |
| Marital status not updated | Wrong score; possible misrepresentation |
| Not declaring a spouse or child | Serious misrepresentation risk; they may never be sponsored later |
| Language test expired before PR submission | Application refused |
| Proof of funds below the minimum (FSW/FST) | Ineligible |
| Typing errors in dates or test scores | Wrong score; mismatch with documents |
Important: If you get an ITA based on a score you can't prove, IRCC can refuse your application. If they think you gave false information, you can be banned for 5 years.
Keeping your profile up to date
Your profile can change while you're in the pool. Update it when:
- You get a new language result or a French test
- You gain another year of work experience
- You complete a new credential or ECA
- Your marital status or family changes
- You get a provincial nomination
- Your age changes (IRCC updates this automatically, and your score may drop)
Before an ITA: you can update most information. After an ITA: your invitation is based on your profile at the time of the draw. Your PR application must prove that score. If a change (for example, a new marital status or an expired test) drops your score below the cut-off, you may no longer be eligible and may have to decline the ITA. Get advice before you submit.
Express Entry profile + BC PNP
If you live or work in BC, you can use your Express Entry profile to apply for Express Entry BC. You'll need your:
- Express Entry profile number
- Job seeker validation code
A BC nomination adds 600 CRS points. We can handle both at the same time.
What's included in our service
- Eligibility review for CEC, FSW and FST
- CRS score calculation (both spouses if applicable)
- NOC code selection for every job
- Work history and hours check
- Full profile creation with you
- Final review against your documents
- Written score improvement plan
- Profile updates while your profile is in the pool
Fee: every profile is different, so we give you a written quote after your free assessment or consultation.