In Canada, Express Entry candidates have two PR application options if their CRS score changes after acquiring an ITA. They can either decline their ITA or continue to submit their PR application to IRCC. Under the Express Entry, candidates can only apply for Canadian permanent residence through an ITA from IRCC.

An Express Entry is an application management system that manages applications from the following:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP),
  • The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and 
  • the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Under Express Entry, Canada also has category-based draws that target five in-demand sectors and one targeting specific language attributes.

When a candidate acquires an invitation to apply (ITA) under Express Entry, they are referred to as Applicant. After that, they have 60 days to submit their application for permanent residence to IRCC.

What If My CRS Score Changes After Acquiring an ITA?

In certain situations, notable changes may arise that affect the candidate’s eligibility for the ITA extended by IRCC. This can either be positive or negative.

IRCC noted that if a candidate’s situation has changed, the CRS score changes, or the details on their profile that were used to issue an ITA do not remain true, they have the following two options: decline their ITA or continue to submit their PR application. Let’s understand them in detail.

It’s notable that IRCC recommended that before proceeding with any of the options, Candidates must recalculate their CRS score per the changes in the situation.

PR Application Options if CRS Score Changes After Acquiring ITA

The following are the two options if your CRS Score Changes After Acquiring ITA or your circumstances change:

Decline the Invitation To Apply (ITA)

If there is a change in circumstance that can negatively impact CRS score, Express Entry candidates are encouraged by IRCC to decline their ITA.

This is because dropping an ITA is the only way to revise the information in the Express Entry profile. 

A negative impact in circumstance change can be anything that is poor for candidates. This can impact the ability of candidates to satisfy the minimum entry criteria (MEC) for the program they applied to. Or this can lower their recalculated CRS score below the minimum required CRS score for their invitation round.

Proceed with Submitting the PR Application to IRCC

If your CRS score changes but you don’t intend to drop your ITA, you can continue to submit your PR Application to IRCC.

However, it’s notable that if you choose to continue with your PR application, you must ensure that the change in circumstances is adequately reflected in the application.

 This implies that whether the change was positive or negative, the candidate has to take time to amend the information that IRCC transferred from their Express Entry profile to their APR prior to completing the application.

What Are the Potential Changes That May Affect the CRS Score

The following are some potential ways that may affect an applicant’s CRS score after acquiring an ITA.

The CRS score of an applicant may increase if :

  • They graduate from a higher schooling level
  • They attain the threshold for an additional year of Canadian work experience
  • They acquire a qualification certificate
  • They enhance their language test scores

The CRS score of an applicant may decrease if :

  • They reappear for a language test after their original scores expire but get lower test results
  • They lose an eligible offer of arranged employment

Based on the addition of a spouse or common-law partner to their Express Entry application, the CRS score of an applicant may either 

increase or decrease. This is because their score can either increase or decrease depending on the human capital factor of their spouse or partner.

Note that there is a change that does not impact an applicant’s CRS score after acquiring an ITA. This is if their birthday happens after their ITA was issued. 

Age is a notable factor in Express Entry. However, IRCC has provided an exemption that prevents an applicant from losing CRS points.

What If You Decline An Express Entry ITA? 

When an applicant under Express Entry declines their ITA, they revert to “candidate” status. Now, the candidate’s profile is returned to the Express Entry pool.

After this, the profile remains active until it remains valid. When a candidate’s profile is returned to the Express Entry pool, they can update their information. 

In the pool, they will be considered for a new ITA in upcoming Express Entry draws until they continue to satisfy the MEC.