Multiple Profiles or One Success Story?

Creating an Express Entry profile is the initial step if you want to move to Canada permanently as a skilled worker. They use a system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate your profile based on factors like education, skills, work experience, and language ability. Your score and rank in the Express Entry pool determine whether you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

It’s essential to note that you’re allowed only one Express Entry profile at a time, as per Canada’s immigration law. Having multiple profiles won’t improve your chances of being invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency, nor will it let you apply under a different program.

DUPLICATE PROFILES IN THE EXPRESS ENTRY POOL.

As of 2023, the immigration system allows candidates to have only one active profile, but they can make a new profile by creating a new GCKey—a special login for online government services. In the past, there were only a few duplicate profiles in the system, so no action was taken. However, in 2022, the number of duplicate profiles increased significantly.

By January 9th, 2023, there were 29,945 duplicate profiles linked to 10,229 unique candidates. The government identified these unique candidates by comparing details like name and date of birth to spot duplicate profiles.

The report does not identify why any applicants created multiple profiles, but it states that:

In 70% of cases, there was no change in CRS scores between any two given profiles of a candidate. Such a high figure does not indicate an attempt to game the system.
53% of all duplicates have been inactive for 100 days, suggesting that many duplicates have been abandoned.
The number of candidates that had more than one profile increased by 57% from October to November, which strongly indicates a response to the November 16th deadline to update profiles with NOC 2021 information.

The report said that while there’s no evidence of dishonesty in the Express Entry system, the high number of duplicate profiles might mean that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) should consider cleaning up the pool.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

To qualify for Express Entry, you need to meet the requirements of at least one of three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

The FSWP is Canada’s primary economic immigration pathway. The minimum requirements include:

At least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Validated intermediate or better language ability in English or French
For candidates educated outside of Canada, an educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report

For the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you need to meet minimum requirements for work, language skills, and education. Plus, you must score at least 67 points in their points system.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for international students and foreign workers with Canadian work experience. To qualify, you need at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within the last 3 years and meet language proficiency criteria.

The FSTP is available to candidates who want to become permanent residents on the basis of qualifying for a skilled trade. Eligibility criteria include:

A minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the 5-year period prior to submitting an application
Meeting the job requirements of the skilled trade
Having a full-time job offer in Canada for a period of at least 1 year or possessing a certificate of qualification in the skilled trade that has been provided by an official Canadian authority
Meeting language proficiency criteria