If you’re part of Canada’s Express Entry system—either just entering the pool in 2026 or already holding a profile—it’s important to understand that there are certain situations where you may need to decline your Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence if you receive one. Knowing why you might need to do this, and how it affects your immigration journey, can help you avoid serious complications and ensure your application remains compliant with Canada’s rules.
When a candidate receives an ITA through Express Entry, they normally have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. If you cannot meet that deadline with all required documents or if your personal situation changes materially after the ITA is issued, declining the ITA can sometimes be the best choice. If you do decline, your profile simply returns to the pool and you can be considered for future rounds. There’s no penalty just for declining, but it’s critical that you take action if you know your application wouldn’t be accurate or complete.
Here are the main examples of situations where declining an ITA may be necessary:
1. Errors in Your CRS ScoreOccasionally, candidates receive an ITA based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score that turns out to be inaccurate due to mistakes in their profile. This can include overstating work hours, misclassifying experience, entering language results incorrectly, or claiming a higher level of education than earned. If a recalculation shows your true CRS score falls below the cut-off for that round, it’s generally best to decline the ITA. Continuing with an incorrect score could lead to a misrepresentation finding, which can result in refusal and a ban from Canadian immigration for up to five years.
2. You Haven’t Actually Met Work Experience RequirementsSometimes Express Entry profiles calculate work experience in months and years rather than exact days, which can give the impression you meet a program’s requirements when you don’t quite. For example, you might appear to have 12 months of experience when, in reality, you completed slightly less. If you cannot meet the required experience before the 60-day deadline, it’s usually better to decline the ITA and remain in the pool.
3. Language Test Results Are Too Old or ExpiringLanguage test results must be valid both when you create your profile and when you submit your application. If your test results will expire before you can file your application, you may need to decline the ITA rather than risk an incomplete submission.
4. Changes in Family StatusYour CRS score can change if your family situation changes. For instance, if you had claimed points for a spouse or a sibling living in Canada who then moves away, your score could drop. If lost points lower your CRS below the round’s cut-off, declining the ITA may be necessary.
5. Provincial Nomination Is WithdrawnIf your ITA was based on a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination and the nomination is later withdrawn, you may no longer meet eligibility criteria. Since a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, losing it can dramatically affect your score. In that case, declining the ITA is the correct step.
There is also an age-related exception: if your birthday occurs between receiving an ITA and submitting your application, causing your CRS age points to drop, the system recognizes this and does not require you to decline for that reason alone.
If you decide to decline the ITA, your profile returns to the pool and could be selected again in future draws. However, if you do nothing and the 60-day window passes, your ITA expires and your profile is removed, meaning you’d need to submit a new one.
Accurately disclosing changes and including necessary documentation is crucial if you proceed with an application. Failing to do so can lead to misrepresentation findings, refusals, and bans.
Written by Shubhi Abrol
