The Hidden Risk in Express Entry: Why Thousands of Applicants Are Denied Before Review

Planning to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry system? While it's known for its faster processing times and streamlined application model, many hopeful applicants are blindsided by an alarming issue: more than 1 in 4 applications are rejected before they’re ever reviewed.

At NextGen Immigration, we help professionals and families navigate this high-stakes process with precision and peace of mind. If you’re preparing to submit your application or if you’ve recently received an Invitation to Apply (ITA)read on to learn how to avoid the most common mistakes that could cost you your chance at permanent residency.

What Is Canada’s Express Entry System?

Launched in 2015, Express Entry is Canada’s digital system for managing permanent residence applications from skilled workers. It covers the:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Canadian Experience Class

• Federal Skilled Trades Program

• Provincial Nominee Program

Candidates enter a pool, are ranked based on a points system (CRS score), and only the top-ranking applicants receive invitations to apply. While the goal is efficiency, the system has one major flaw: if your application isn’t 100% complete when submitted, it can be rejected outright.

Unlike the older paper-based system, you don’t get a second chance unless you’re re-invited—which isn't guaranteed.

Fast Doesn’t Always Mean Fair

Express Entry applications are known for quick turnaround. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has consistently promoted their six-month processing goal. And yes, most approved applications meet that standard.

But here’s what isn’t mentioned often enough:

A massive number of applications never even make it past the initial completeness check.

In one annual report, IRCC processed over 22,000 applications—but more than 5,600 were rejected due to missing or incorrect documents. That’s over 25% of applicants who invested months preparing only to be turned away before review.

Top Reasons Express Entry Applications Are Rejected Without Review

Even small oversights can lead to an incomplete application. Here are the most frequent pitfalls we see among Express Entry applicants:

1. Misunderstanding Police Certificate Requirements

When applying for immigration or permanent residency, it’s essential to include valid police clearance certificates. These documents are required from both your current country of residence and any country where you've lived for a continuous period of six months or more within the past decade or since turning 18, whichever comes later. Misunderstanding the timing or requirements for these certificates can lead to delays or even refusals.

Current Country of Residence

If you’re living in a specific country at the time of your application, you must obtain a police certificate from that country. This certificate must be dated within six months of your application submission. However, if you’re applying from inside Canada, you generally do not need to include an RCMP certificate. While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may still request one during processing, this is uncommon.

Countries You Lived in Previously

Applicants must also submit police certificates for every country where they lived continuously for at least six months during the past ten years or since their 18th birthday. The key detail here: the certificate must have been issued after you left that country. If you submit a certificate that was issued while you were still living there, it won’t be accepted even if it's recent.

A common mistake occurs when individuals reuse a police certificate they obtained for a previous visa or work permit (such as for the International Experience Canada program) while still residing in that country. If that same certificate is used for a permanent residence application later on, it will likely be rejected because it doesn’t meet the required timeline criteria.

2. Incomplete “Best Effort” Explanations

When it’s difficult to obtain a police certificate within the 60-day deadline, IRCC expects:

• A receipt or proof that you've requested it

• A written letter explaining your efforts

Doing only one of these (e.g., uploading a receipt without a letter) could still result in rejection.

3. Ignoring Deadlines in Your IRCC Account

IRCC often asks for follow-up documents with very short windows—sometimes as little as 7 days. If you don’t check your account regularly, you may miss your chance to respond.

4. Uploading the Wrong Files

The portal doesn’t let you preview uploads after submitting. That means many applicants mistakenly upload the wrong document or a blank file. Organizing your documents in clearly labeled folders ahead of time can help prevent this.

5. Skipping Required Documents Based on Online Advice

Forum users may say they left out a document and still got approved. Don’t gamble on that. Unless you know you qualify for a specific exemption, include every item listed in your personalized document checklist.

The Consequences of a Rejected Application

Being rejected due to incompleteness doesn’t just delay your plans—it can derail them entirely:

• You lose your ITA and might not receive another

• Your provincial nomination may expire

• You may no longer meet the CRS cut-off score

• You can’t extend your expiring work permit through the BOWP program

A System Focused on Speed, Not Flexibility

IRCC’s focus on meeting processing benchmarks sometimes means they’re quick to reject applications for even the smallest errors. While Canadian courts have emphasized fairness in some family sponsorship cases, there is still little flexibility in the Express Entry stream.

In fact, past communications from IRCC have suggested that internal pressure to maintain fast processing times may even overshadow procedural fairness—leaving many applicants frustrated by a lack of recourse.

Express Entry may look simple on the surface, but one small oversight can result in a lost opportunity. If you’ve worked hard to secure your place in the pool and finally received an invitation, don’t risk throwing it all away on a technicality.

Let our experienced team help you get it right the first time.

About the Author: Lauren Shannan is a Senior Immigration Consultant with 10 years of experience helping foreign nationals navigate their journey in Canada. With her extensive knowledge of immigration processes and policies, Lauren provides valuable insights to those looking to make Canada their new home.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized advice, please consult with a licensed immigration professional.