Understanding Express Entry’s Tie-Breaking Rule: A Simple Guide

If you're aiming for Canadian permanent residency (PR) through the Express Entry system, the tie-breaking rule can play a crucial role in determining whether you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Here’s how it works in simple terms.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is Canada’s online immigration system designed to manage applications from skilled workers who want to become permanent residents. It oversees three key programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Eligible candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores profiles based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills. The Canadian government routinely conducts draws, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for PR by issuing ITAs.

How Does the Tie-Breaking Rule Work?

During an Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues a specific number of ITAs to the top-ranking candidates. For instance, if IRCC decides to issue 3,000 ITAs in a draw, the 3,000 candidates with the highest CRS scores are selected.

However, sometimes multiple candidates share the same CRS score. This is where the tie-breaking rule comes into play.

• The tie-breaking rule prioritizes candidates based on the date and time they submitted their profiles to the Express Entry pool.
• If your CRS score matches the cut-off score for a draw, your profile submission timestamp will determine whether you receive an ITA.

Example of the Tie-Breaking Rule in Action

Let’s take an example to understand this better:

• Lara and Jean both have a CRS score of 542.
• Lara submitted her profile on September 18, 2024, while Jean submitted his on September 20, 2024.
• In a November 2024 draw, the CRS cut-off is 542, and the tie-breaking rule specifies that only candidates who submitted their profiles before September 19, 2024 will receive ITAs.

Outcome:
Lara receives an ITA, while Jean’s profile remains in the pool for future draws.

Why is the Tie-Breaking Rule Important?

The Express Entry pool has been growing steadily over the years, increasing the likelihood of multiple candidates having the same CRS score. This makes the tie-breaking rule vital for ensuring fairness and transparency in determining who receives an ITA.

What Happens if You Make Changes to Your Profile?

• Profile Updates: Making changes to your Express Entry profile (e.g., updating your work experience or language scores) does not alter the original timestamp.
• Deleting and Resubmitting: If you delete your profile and resubmit later, the new submission will have a fresh timestamp, which may affect your chances under the tie-breaking rule.

Key Takeaways

1. CRS Score is the Primary Factor: While the tie-breaking rule helps differentiate candidates with the same CRS score, your score remains the most critical factor for receiving an ITA.
2. Early Submission is Advantageous: Submitting your Express Entry profile as early as possible can give you an edge in tightly contested draws.