When to Decline an Express Entry Invitation: Important Considerations

Deciding Whether to Accept an Express Entry Invitation

Receiving an Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA) is a crucial step in the immigration process. However, accepting the ITA without meeting all eligibility criteria can lead to significant issues. In certain situations, declining the invitation may be the wiser choice.

When to Consider Declining an ITA:

  • Incorrect CRS Score: Errors in work experience, education level, or language scores can artificially inflate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. If correcting these errors would lower your score below the draw cut-off, it is advisable to decline the ITA.
  • Incomplete Work Experience: The system calculates work experience in months, not exact days. If you have not completed the required work experience by the submission deadline, declining the ITA is a safer option.
  • Expiring Language Test: Your language proficiency test results must be valid when submitting your Permanent Residency (PR) application. If your test results expire and you are unable to retake the test in time, declining the ITA is the better choice.
  • Changed Family Situation: Any changes in your family composition, such as a spouse, partner, or sibling in Canada, can impact your CRS score. If these changes result in a score below the cut-off, declining the ITA is recommended.
  • Withdrawn Provincial Nomination: If your provincial nomination is withdrawn, resulting in a loss of 600 CRS points, you no longer qualify for the ITA and should decline it.

Consequences of Declining an ITA:

Declining an ITA carries no penalties. Your profile returns to the Express Entry pool and remains eligible for future selections. However, failing to decline the ITA and not submitting your PR application within 60 days leads to the removal of your profile, necessitating a fresh start.

Exception for Age: Losing CRS points due to a birthday after receiving an ITA does not require you to decline the invitation. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes an exception in such cases.

It is important to note that declining an ITA is not a setback. In many instances, it is a strategic decision to safeguard the success of your future application.