Yes. If your Express Entry profile expires, you can create a new Express Entry profile and enter the pool again, provided you still meet the eligibility requirements. In fact, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms that an Express Entry profile that does not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) within 12 months automatically expires and is removed from the system. You can then create a new profile if you want to remain in the Express Entry pool.
For many applicants, however, the process can raise questions. Do you need a new account? Can you use your old Express Entry profile number? Will your CRS score remain the same? What happens to your language test or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)? And should you create a new profile before the old one expires?
This guide explains what happens when an Express Entry profile expires and how to create a new profile.
What Happens When an Express Entry Profile Expires?
An Express Entry profile is not permanent.
According to IRCC, if you are not invited to apply for permanent residence within 12 months of submitting your Express Entry profile, the profile automatically expires. IRCC removes the expired profile from the system and sends a message to your account.
This does not mean that you are permanently excluded from Express Entry.
Instead, an expired profile generally means that you need to create and submit a new profile if you still want to be considered for future Express Entry invitation rounds.
Think of the Express Entry profile as an expression of interest that remains in the pool for a limited period. If that period ends without an invitation, you can submit a new expression of interest, assuming you continue to meet the applicable requirements.
Can You Create a New Express Entry Profile After It Expires?
Yes.
IRCC specifically states that you can create a new Express Entry profile after your previous profile expires. The new profile will be considered separately from the old one.
You should not expect the old profile to simply become active again.
Instead, you need to create a new profile and provide your information again. This includes details about your education, language ability, work experience, family situation and other information required by the Express Entry system.
Your new profile must also meet the Express Entry requirements that apply when you submit it.
This is important because immigration rules and your personal circumstances can change over time.
Should You Create a New Profile Before the Old One Expires?
Generally, no.
IRCC advises applicants not to create a new Express Entry profile while their existing profile is still active. If you want to create a new profile before the old one expires, you must first withdraw the existing profile.
For most applicants, the simpler approach is to allow the existing profile to expire and then submit a new one.
If your profile is approaching its expiration date, prepare your documents and information in advance so that you can submit the new profile without unnecessary delays.
Does IRCC Save Your Old Express Entry Information?
This is one of the most important points to understand.
IRCC currently does not save the information in an expired Express Entry profile for the purpose of automatically creating your next profile.
IRCC explains that the system does not retain the profile information in a way that allows applicants to simply restore the expired profile. Applicants who want to remain in the Express Entry pool need to complete and submit a new profile.
IRCC recommends saving screenshots of your profile before it expires. These screenshots can make it easier to enter your information again when creating a new profile.
However, do not blindly copy every detail from the old profile.
Use your current information when completing the new profile. If your employment, education, marital status, language results, work experience or other circumstances have changed, the new profile should reflect those changes.
Will You Get a New Express Entry Profile Number?
Yes.
When you submit a new Express Entry profile, you receive a new Express Entry profile number. IRCC also states that a new profile comes with a new Job Seeker validation code for Job Bank.
Therefore, you should not expect to reuse the old Express Entry profile number for the new profile.
Keep the new profile number somewhere safe after submitting the new profile. You may need it when communicating with a province or territory, updating an immigration-related application, or managing other parts of your immigration process.
Will Your CRS Score Stay the Same?
Not necessarily.
Your new Express Entry profile receives a CRS score based on the information in that new profile and the CRS rules that apply at that time.
The Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS, is used to rank eligible Express Entry candidates. It considers factors such as age, education, language proficiency, Canadian work experience, foreign work experience and other applicable factors.
Your score may therefore increase or decrease after creating a new profile.
For example, you could gain points because you:
- Improved your language test results
- Obtained additional education
- Gained additional eligible work experience
- Obtained Canadian work experience
- Received a provincial nomination
- Became eligible for an applicable category
On the other hand, your score could change because you are older, your language test results have expired, your family circumstances have changed, or another factor affecting your CRS calculation has changed.
It is a good idea to review your potential CRS score before submitting your new profile.
Check Your Language Test Before Creating a New Profile
Language test validity is particularly important.
Your language results must meet the requirements applicable to your Express Entry program and remain valid when required. IRCC identifies expired language test results as one reason a profile may become ineligible.
If your IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada results are approaching their expiration date, check the applicable IRCC requirements before relying on the old result.
Do not assume that a language test used successfully in your previous profile will automatically be acceptable for your new profile.
A new profile is assessed using the information and requirements applicable to that profile.
What About Your Educational Credential Assessment?
The same principle applies to your Educational Credential Assessment, commonly called an ECA.
An ECA is used to verify the Canadian equivalency of certain foreign educational credentials for immigration purposes. If your previous ECA is no longer valid for the purpose for which you are applying, you may need a new assessment or an updated document.
IRCC lists an expired ECA among circumstances that can cause an Express Entry profile to become ineligible.
Before submitting a new Express Entry profile, check the validity of your ECA and make sure the information you enter accurately matches your documentation.
Does an Expired Profile Affect Your Immigration Chances?
An expired Express Entry profile does not automatically mean that you can never immigrate to Canada through Express Entry.
The important issue is whether you remain eligible when you create the new profile.
For example, your previous profile may have expired simply because there were no invitation rounds that resulted in an ITA for you within the 12-month period.
You can create another profile if you still qualify.
However, there is no guarantee that a new profile will result in an ITA. IRCC ranks eligible candidates using the CRS and invites candidates according to the applicable invitation rounds.
This is why applicants should use the time between profiles to improve their overall immigration position where possible.
How to Create a New Express Entry Profile After Expiration
Creating a new profile generally involves repeating the profile process.
Step 1: Confirm That Your Old Profile Has Expired
Check your IRCC secure account and confirm the status of your previous profile.
If it has expired, it will no longer remain in the Express Entry pool.
Step 2: Review Your Eligibility
Before starting again, check whether you still qualify for at least one Express Entry program.
Your circumstances may have changed since your first profile.
Review your:
- Age
- Education
- Language results
- Work experience
- Canadian work experience
- Family information
- Settlement funds, where applicable
- Provincial nomination status
- Other eligibility requirements
IRCC notes that a profile can become ineligible when circumstances change, including when work experience no longer meets program requirements, language results expire, an ECA expires or the applicant no longer has enough funds.
Step 3: Prepare Updated Information
Gather your current information before starting the new profile.
Your previous profile may be useful as a reference, but your new profile should accurately reflect your current situation.
Save screenshots of the old profile if you still have access to them. This can help you remember information you previously entered.
Step 4: Sign In to Your IRCC Account
Use your IRCC secure account to start a new Express Entry profile.
You will need to complete the required questions and provide your current information.
Step 5: Complete and Submit the Profile
IRCC says applicants have 60 days to complete and submit an Express Entry profile once they begin creating it.
Review every answer carefully before submitting.
Incorrect information can create serious immigration problems, particularly if an applicant deliberately provides false information or leaves out important details.
Step 6: Check Your New Profile Number
After successfully submitting your new profile, note the new Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker validation code, if applicable.
Do not confuse these with the numbers associated with your previous profile.
Can You Use the Same IRCC Account?
The expiration of an Express Entry profile does not mean you must abandon your IRCC account.
The key distinction is between your IRCC account and your Express Entry profile.
Your account is where you access IRCC services, while your Express Entry profile is the specific profile you submit to enter the pool.
Follow the current instructions in your IRCC account when creating a new profile rather than assuming that you need to create an entirely new account.
What If Your Situation Has Changed Since Your Old Profile?
This is actually one of the most important reasons to carefully review your information.
Suppose you created your original profile two years ago. Since then, you may have:
- Changed employers
- Gained additional skilled work experience
- Completed another qualification
- Taken a new language test
- Married or divorced
- Had or adopted a child
- Received a provincial nomination
- Moved to a different occupation
IRCC requires Express Entry candidates to keep their profile information up to date when their circumstances change.
Therefore, your new profile should not simply be a copy of the old one. It should be an accurate picture of your current situation.
What If Your Profile Expired While You Were Waiting for a Provincial Nomination?
This situation can be more complicated.
If a province or territory has an application or nomination process connected to your Express Entry profile, you should follow the instructions of that province or territory.
For example, Ontario states that candidates need to maintain a valid Express Entry profile during relevant stages of its Express Entry-linked nomination process and may need to provide updated Express Entry profile information if the profile expires.
Do not assume that creating a new federal Express Entry profile automatically updates a provincial application.
If you have an active provincial nomination application, check the province’s current instructions and notify the appropriate authority when required.
What If You Accidentally Withdrew Your Profile?
An expired profile and a withdrawn profile are not exactly the same situation, but the solution can be similar.
IRCC states that if you accidentally withdraw your Express Entry profile, you need to create a new one if you want to enter the pool again. You must also meet the Express Entry requirements that apply at that time.
This is another reason to check the status of your profile carefully before taking action.
Should You Try to Improve Your CRS Score Before Creating a New Profile?
If your previous CRS score was not competitive, the period before creating your new profile can be a useful opportunity to improve your situation.
Possible ways to improve your profile can include improving your language results, gaining additional eligible work experience, obtaining additional education where it meaningfully affects your score, or exploring provincial nomination opportunities.
However, applicants should always verify the current CRS rules before making decisions.
For example, IRCC removed CRS points for job offers effective March 25, 2025. This means older articles explaining Express Entry scores may contain outdated information.
This is an important reminder to rely on current IRCC information rather than old immigration blog posts when making decisions about your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Express Entry automatically renew after 12 months?
No. If you are not invited to apply within 12 months, your Express Entry profile expires. You need to create and submit a new profile if you want to enter the pool again.
Can I create a new profile after my Express Entry profile expires?
Yes. IRCC confirms that you can create a new Express Entry profile after the previous one expires.
Can I use my old Express Entry profile number?
No. A newly submitted profile receives a new Express Entry profile number.
Does IRCC keep my old Express Entry information?
IRCC currently says that the system does not retain your expired profile information for automatically creating a new profile. Saving screenshots before expiration can make re-entering your information easier.
Will my CRS score remain the same?
Not necessarily. Your new CRS score is calculated using the information in your new profile and the CRS rules applicable at that time.
Can I create a new profile before the old one expires?
You should not create a new profile while your existing one is active unless you first withdraw the existing profile, according to IRCC’s instructions.
Does an expired Express Entry profile mean I cannot immigrate to Canada?
No. An expired profile simply means that the profile is no longer in the pool. You may create a new profile if you meet the applicable eligibility requirements.