If your Express Entry profile is about to expire, you may be wondering what happens to your application, CRS score, documents, and chances of getting Canadian permanent residence.
The good news is that an expired Express Entry profile does not mean you are permanently excluded from Canada’s immigration system. However, your old profile is removed from the Express Entry pool, and you generally need to create and submit a new profile if you still want to be considered.
This guide explains what happens when an Express Entry profile expires, whether you can renew it, what happens to your CRS score and profile information, and what you should do before and after expiration.
Important: Immigration rules and procedures can change. The information in this article is based primarily on current guidance published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Always check the official IRCC website before taking action on your immigration application.
How Long Is an Express Entry Profile Valid?
An Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months if you do not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during that period.
IRCC states that if you are not invited to apply for permanent residence within 12 months of submitting your Express Entry profile, the profile automatically expires and is removed from the system. The expiration date can be viewed in your account.
This means an Express Entry profile is not a permanent registration.
For example, imagine you submit your profile on August 23, 2026. If you do not receive an ITA during its validity period, the profile will eventually expire according to the expiration date shown in your IRCC account.
Your profile does not automatically remain in the pool indefinitely.
What Happens When Your Express Entry Profile Expires?
When your Express Entry profile expires, it is removed from the Express Entry pool.
You will receive a message in your account, and you will no longer be considered in Express Entry draws through that profile.
This is important because being in the Express Entry pool is what allows an eligible candidate to be considered for invitations.
Once the old profile expires, you cannot simply continue waiting for an ITA using that profile.
If you still want to pursue permanent residence through Express Entry, you will generally need to:
- Review your immigration situation.
- Make sure you still meet the requirements for an Express Entry program.
- Update your documents and personal information.
- Calculate your potential CRS score again.
- Create a new Express Entry profile.
- Submit the new profile to enter the pool again.
Creating a new profile gives you a fresh opportunity to be considered in future draws.
Can You Renew an Expired Express Entry Profile?
No. An expired Express Entry profile is not simply renewed or extended.
Instead, you must create and submit a new Express Entry profile if you want to remain in the Express Entry system.
IRCC specifically advises candidates whose profiles are about to expire to complete and submit a new profile if they want to stay in the pool.
This distinction is important.
Think of your Express Entry profile as an entry ticket to the pool that remains valid for a limited period. When that period ends, the old profile is no longer active. If you still qualify, you need to enter the pool again with a new profile.
Does IRCC Save Your Express Entry Profile Information?
This is one of the most important questions for people whose profiles are expiring.
According to IRCC’s current Help Centre guidance, the system does not keep your profile information after the profile expires. IRCC previously considered allowing profile information to be saved for easier completion of a future profile, but states that this option is not currently available.
Therefore, you should not assume that all the information from your old profile will automatically appear when you create a new one.
This is why preparing before expiration can save you considerable time.
IRCC recommends saving screenshots of your profile if it is close to expiring. These screenshots can help you re-enter information when creating a new profile.
Will Your CRS Score Be Saved?
Your old CRS score does not simply carry over to a new profile.
Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is based on information in your profile, including factors such as age, education, language ability, work experience and other applicable factors.
When you create a new profile, your CRS score will be calculated using the information you provide in that new profile.
This can be either good or bad depending on what has changed.
For example, you may have:
- improved your language test results;
- gained additional eligible work experience;
- completed another credential;
- received a qualifying job offer;
- obtained a provincial nomination; or
- experienced changes that reduce your CRS score.
A new profile can therefore provide an opportunity to improve your ranking, but it can also result in a lower score if your circumstances have changed.
Will You Keep Your Old Express Entry Profile Number?
No. A new Express Entry profile is a new profile, so you should expect to receive a new profile number.
IRCC also indicates that submitting a new profile results in a new Job Seeker validation code where applicable.
Do not assume that your old profile number will remain attached to your new submission.
Keep records of both profiles for your personal immigration records, but understand that the new profile is what places you back into the pool.
Will You Keep Your Old Position in the Express Entry Pool?
You should not expect to keep the age or submission date of your expired profile.
A new profile is a new entry into the pool. The previous profile’s history does not simply transfer to it.
This can matter in situations where Express Entry tie-breaking rules are relevant. IRCC’s Express Entry reporting explains that candidates are ranked according to the requirements of each round, and tie-breaking rules can use the date and time profiles entered the pool.
Therefore, an expired profile should not be treated as if it were merely paused.
What Should You Do Before Your Express Entry Profile Expires?
If your profile is approaching its expiration date, preparation is the best approach.
1. Check Your Expiration Date
Log in to your IRCC account and check the status and expiration date of your profile.
Do not rely only on memory or the date you think you submitted the profile.
2. Save Your Existing Information
Before your profile expires, save screenshots or personal records of the information you entered.
This can make creating a new profile easier because IRCC says the system does not currently retain the expired profile information.
Never share sensitive account information, passwords or security details with another person simply to preserve your records.
3. Check Your Language Test Results
Language tests are especially important because they have their own validity periods.
If your language test has expired or will expire, determine whether you need a new test before submitting another Express Entry profile.
Do not assume that an old test result remains valid simply because it was valid when you created your previous profile.
4. Review Your Education Information
If you have completed a new educational credential since creating your previous profile, check whether it can affect your eligibility or CRS score.
If you studied outside Canada, make sure you understand the requirements surrounding an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), where applicable.
5. Update Your Work Experience
Additional eligible work experience may affect your eligibility or CRS score.
Make sure your employment history is accurate and that you can support the information with appropriate documentation if you later receive an ITA.
6. Recalculate Your CRS Score
Do not automatically copy your previous CRS score into your planning.
Your circumstances may have changed since you first entered the pool.
A new language score, additional work experience, change in marital status, education or other factor could affect your ranking.
Can You Create a New Express Entry Profile Before the Old One Expires?
This is an area where candidates should be careful.
IRCC advises that you should not create a new profile while your existing profile is still active. If you decide to create and submit a new profile before the old one expires, IRCC says you will need to withdraw the existing profile first.
In other words, do not create duplicate profiles simply because your current profile is approaching its expiration date.
If you need to replace an existing active profile, follow IRCC’s instructions for withdrawing it before creating a new one.
What If My Express Entry Profile Has Already Expired?
If your profile has already expired, do not panic.
First, confirm the status in your IRCC account.
If you were not invited to apply and the profile has expired, the usual next step is to determine whether you still qualify for Express Entry and, if so, create a new profile.
Before submitting the new profile, take the opportunity to review everything.
Ask yourself:
Has anything changed since my previous profile?
For example:
- Is my language test still valid?
- Has my education changed?
- Have I gained more eligible work experience?
- Has my marital or family situation changed?
- Has my job situation changed?
- Am I still eligible for the same Express Entry program?
- Is there another immigration pathway I should consider?
- Can I improve my CRS score before entering the pool again?
Starting again can be frustrating, but it can also be an opportunity to submit a stronger and more accurate profile.
What If You Receive an ITA Before Your Profile Expires?
An Invitation to Apply is different from an Express Entry profile.
If you receive an ITA, you must follow the instructions in your IRCC account and submit your permanent residence application within the applicable deadline.
IRCC states that an ITA is valid for 60 days.
Do not confuse the 12-month profile validity period with the 60-day ITA deadline.
The 12 months apply to the profile while you are in the Express Entry pool.
The 60 days apply after you receive an invitation to apply.
Once you receive an ITA, your priority should be gathering the required documents and submitting a complete application within the deadline.
What If My Profile Expires While I Am Waiting for a Draw?
If your profile reaches its expiration date without an ITA, it will be removed from the pool.
There is no benefit in simply waiting for the expired profile to become active again.
If you still qualify and want to pursue Express Entry, you should prepare a new profile.
The key lesson is to monitor your profile rather than assuming that IRCC will automatically renew it.
Can an Expired Profile Affect Future Express Entry Applications?
Having an Express Entry profile expire does not automatically mean you are banned from applying again.
The important issue is whether you continue to meet the applicable eligibility requirements when you create the new profile.
However, a new profile should be completed carefully and honestly.
If your circumstances have changed, update the information rather than copying old information without checking it.
For example, if your language test has expired, you should not present it as valid simply because it was valid when you created your first profile.
Accuracy matters because the information in your Express Entry profile can later be assessed against supporting documents if you receive an ITA.
What If Your CRS Score Is Too Low Before Expiration?
Profile expiration is not the only reason a candidate may need to reassess their strategy.
You may still have an active profile but a CRS score that is not competitive enough for recent invitations.
In that situation, consider whether there are legitimate ways to strengthen your profile.
Depending on your circumstances, this might include improving language scores, gaining additional eligible work experience, completing qualifying education, pursuing a provincial nomination where eligible, or reviewing whether you qualify for category-based selection.
IRCC uses different types of invitation rounds, including category-based selection, and eligibility requirements can vary by round.
Do not make major financial or career decisions solely because you expect a particular Express Entry draw or CRS cutoff. Invitation scores can change, and meeting a minimum requirement does not guarantee an invitation.
Express Entry Profile Expiration Checklist
If your profile is approaching expiration, use this simple checklist:
- Check the expiration date in your IRCC account.
- Save screenshots or records of your existing profile.
- Review your language test validity.
- Check your ECA or education information where applicable.
- Update your work experience information.
- Review your family and personal information.
- Recalculate your potential CRS score.
- Check whether you remain eligible for Express Entry.
- Review current Express Entry categories and requirements.
- Prepare updated supporting documents.
- Follow IRCC instructions about withdrawing an active profile if you need to replace it.
- Create a new profile if your old profile expires and you still want to enter the pool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Express Entry Profile Expiration
Does Express Entry automatically renew my profile?
No. An Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. If you do not receive an ITA during that period, the profile expires and is removed from the system.
Can I create a new Express Entry profile after expiration?
Yes. If you still meet the requirements, you can create and submit a new Express Entry profile to enter the pool again.
Will IRCC save my old profile information?
No. Current IRCC guidance says profile information is not retained after expiration. Save screenshots or your own records before the profile expires.
Will my CRS score remain the same?
Not necessarily. A new profile is assessed using the information you provide at that time. Changes in your circumstances can increase or decrease your CRS score.
Do I lose my chance of immigrating to Canada if my profile expires?
No. Profile expiration ends that particular profile. It does not automatically prevent you from creating another profile if you remain eligible.
Should I create another profile before the current one expires?
Be careful. IRCC advises candidates not to create a new profile while an existing one is active unless they first withdraw the existing profile as instructed.