What happens if I give wrong information on my Express Entry profile?

Providing false or misleading information — or withholding material facts — on an immigration application is called misrepresentation under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). It is treated very seriously and the consequences are severe.

If IRCC finds that you misrepresented a material fact (for example, inflating your work experience, hiding a previous refusal, or using fraudulent documents), they can refuse your application and issue a five-year bar from applying for any immigration benefit, including returning to Canada as a visitor. In more serious cases — particularly where fraud is involved — the consequences can include permanent inadmissibility. If misrepresentation is discovered after you become a permanent resident, IRCC can initiate proceedings to revoke your permanent residence status.

Express Entry applications are verified carefully. Documents are checked against databases, employers are contacted, and credentials are reviewed. Errors made innocently — such as rounding dates or omitting a short-term position — can sometimes be addressed by promptly correcting your profile or application before a decision is made. If you realize you have made an error, speak with an immigration lawyer immediately about how to correct the record before IRCC raises it.