Key takeaways
- IRCC says you must update your Express Entry profile if your situation changes
- IRCC’s examples: a new career, gaining or losing a job offer, a new language test, marriage or divorce, or a new child
- You can update a profile only if it was found eligible for the pool; if not, you must create a new profile
- IRCC says updating does not change the date and time it received your profile, so you keep your rank in a tie-breaker situation
- A profile can become ineligible in the pool, for example if language or ECA results expire, you no longer have enough funds, or you changed your primary occupation
- You cannot choose which program invites you; the system sorts your profile
When you must update your profile
IRCC explains this on its page Create an Express Entry profile. It says you must update your profile if your situation changes. IRCC gives these examples:
- You start a new career.
- You gain or lose a job offer.
- You get a new language test.
- You get married or divorced.
- You have or adopt a new child.
Your CRS score comes from the information in your profile. IRCC says you need one of the highest-ranking scores when it sends invitations. This is why an update can change your chances.
How to update your profile
IRCC’s Help Centre answer Q1005 says you can still update your profile after you submit it, if it was found eligible for the pool. IRCC lists these steps:
- Go to the main page of your account and choose “View the applications you submitted.”
- Choose “Check full application status.”
- Choose “View your profile.”
- Choose “Update form” for the section you want to change.
- Choose “Save and exit.”
- Choose “Continue” and follow the instructions to submit.
If the button says only “View form,” your profile was not found eligible. IRCC says you cannot update it. You must create a new profile.
IRCC also says the “Revert changes” button appears even if you did not make any changes.
Some fields are greyed out. IRCC says these fields come from the Come to Canada tool. You change them through “Modify Family Information” (see Q1003).
Does updating change your rank?
In its proof-of-funds guidance, IRCC says: “Updating your profile doesn’t change the date and time that we received it, so you’ll keep your rank if you’re in a tie-breaker situation.”
Your score can still change, because points come from the information in your profile. IRCC does not say how fast a new score shows after you resubmit.
What can make your profile ineligible
IRCC lists these common reasons why a profile may become ineligible while it is in the pool:
- Your work experience no longer meets the requirements. For example, it must be in the 3 years before you apply, and it no longer is because of your time in the pool.
- Your language test results expired.
- Your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) results expired.
- You no longer have enough funds.
- You changed your primary occupation.
IRCC does not give more detail on the occupation change. Read the IRCC page before you change your primary occupation. See also our news on high-wage NOC codes.
You cannot choose your program
IRCC says invitations go to the first eligible program in this order: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It says: “You can’t choose which program we invite you to apply for. The system will sort your profile based on the information you enter.”
Give true and complete information
IRCC says that if it finds you gave false information or left out important details, it can refuse your application, find you inadmissible, and bar you for 5 years from applying to come to Canada.
What this means for you
- Your situation changed: IRCC says you must update your profile.
- Your language test or ECA is close to expiring: IRCC lists expired results as a reason a profile can become ineligible.
- Your profile shows “View form” only: it was not found eligible, and you must create a new profile.
This page is about updates before an ITA. After an ITA, the rules differ. Read what to do if you find an error after an ITA. For the November 3 job offer changes, read Express Entry changes on November 3.
What to do next
- Log in to your IRCC account and open your profile.
- Check the dates on your language test and ECA.
- Update any section that changed, then save and submit.
- Read our Express Entry guide and try the CRS improvement simulator.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to update my Express Entry profile?
IRCC says you must update your profile if your situation changes.
Can I update a profile that was not found eligible?
No. IRCC says you must create a new profile.
Do I lose my rank if I update?
IRCC says updating does not change the date and time it received your profile, so you keep your rank in a tie-breaker situation.
Can I choose which program invites me?
No. The system sorts your profile based on the information you enter.
Sources
- IRCC: Create an Express Entry profile (checked October 18, 2026)
- IRCC Help Centre: Q1005
- IRCC Help Centre: Q1003
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.
