Express Entry Applications at Risk! IRCC’s Strict Incompleteness Rules Cause Spike in Cancellations

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has significantly intensified its scrutiny of immigration applications, particularly those submitted through the Express Entry system. A marked increase in application rejections due to minor errors or incomplete documentation has left many applicants frustrated, facing extended waiting times, and in some cases, experiencing considerable setbacks in their immigration goals.

In 2024 alone, Canada rejected approximately 2.36 million temporary resident visa applications, reflecting a 50% rejection rate—a significant rise from the previous year’s 35%. This heightened vigilance underscores the critical importance of submitting complete and accurate applications to avoid delays or outright denials.

Rigid Triage System: Is It Truly Beneficial?

Under IRCC’s current triage system, incomplete applications are promptly returned to applicants without processing, requiring resubmission. Previously, IRCC would contact applicants to rectify minor omissions—such as the city of birth of a non-accompanying family member—typically causing a processing delay of about two to three months. Today, IRCC simply returns incomplete applications, forcing applicants to restart the entire process from the beginning.

Although IRCC advertises shorter processing times due to this new approach, applicants are often disadvantaged by having to resubmit their documents entirely. This frequently entails obtaining updated or renewed versions of previously submitted documents that may have expired, leading to delays significantly exceeding the previous two- to three-month timeframe.

Federal Court Upholds IRCC’s Strictness

Several recent Federal Court decisions highlight IRCC’s increasingly stringent standards regarding application completeness:

Zuhair Shihab v. Canada – Refusal to Reconsider: In a notable March 2025 decision, Madam Justice Furlanetto determined it was reasonable for IRCC to refuse reconsideration of an Express Entry application rejected due to incompleteness. Specifically, if an applicant admits that the original submission was incomplete, IRCC is justified in refusing updated or additional information, as the application is no longer active.

Karami v. Canada – Expired Passport: Mehrdad Karami’s immigration consultant mistakenly submitted an expired passport rather than his current one. The Federal Court upheld IRCC’s rejection decision, asserting that documents submitted must precisely match the application data. Even minor inconsistencies can result in outright rejection, emphasizing the need for applicants to meticulously verify all submitted documentation.

G. v. Canada – Proof of Funds: In this decision, the applicant submitted bank statements instead of the required official bank letter. The Court supported IRCC’s strict policy requirement for an official bank letter, highlighting the necessity for applicants to carefully adhere to specified instructions when providing proof of funds.

Sheikh v. Canada – Typographical Error: Here, the Federal Court supported IRCC’s decision to reject an application due to a typographical error in the date of birth. The ruling emphasized applicants’ responsibility to ensure accuracy, reiterating that failure to follow clear instructions can lead to significant consequences, including rejection of the application.

But Sometimes, IRCC Goes Too Far

However, IRCC’s rigid stance has occasionally been challenged successfully. In Thompson v. Canada, IRCC rejected Mr. Thompson’s application because he provided a certificate of completion from the University of Alberta instead of a formal diploma or degree. The Federal Court overturned this decision, finding that a certificate issued by a reputable university sufficiently demonstrated Mr. Thompson’s educational credentials. This case underscores the Court's willingness to question IRCC’s overly strict interpretations.

Additional Pitfalls to Avoid

Express Entry applicants should also be particularly cautious about several common pitfalls:

• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): IRCC mandates ECAs from specific accredited institutions such as World Education Services (WES). Applicants must explicitly request these ECAs for "immigration" purposes. ECAs obtained for other purposes, like employment or education, will not be accepted, leading to outright rejection.

  
  

• Police Certificates: It is essential to adhere strictly to IRCC’s instructions regarding police certificates. For instance, applicants who have resided in Australia for more than six months must provide a police certificate. Additionally, those who lived in Victoria or Queensland must also submit a detailed traffic history or a full license history report to meet completeness requirements.

  
  

• Financial and Employment Documentation: Applicants must meticulously prepare financial documents, including proof of funds, employment records, and comprehensive supporting evidence of their foreign and Canadian employment history. Failure to provide accurate, current, and sufficient evidence frequently results in rejection.

  
  

• Document Validity and Consistency: All documents must be valid, current, and internally consistent. Applicants should carefully cross-check documents against the information entered in their applications, including passport numbers, birth dates, and names, to prevent minor errors that may result in application rejection.

  
  

Recommendations for Applicants

Given IRCC’s intensified scrutiny, applicants must:

• Carefully verify every detail in their application multiple times.

  
  

• Precisely follow IRCC’s instructions, closely reviewing application guidelines.

  
  

• Ensure submitted documents exactly match IRCC’s specified requirements and checklists.

  
  

• Regularly confirm document validity and expiry dates.

  
  

• Consider consulting an immigration expert to minimize risks and enhance the chance of application success.

  
  

How We Can Help

We understand the heightened pressures and complexities applicants face under IRCC’s strict standards. We truly do! Our firm offers meticulous application preparation, comprehensive document review, and proactive identification of potential pitfalls. So, we ensure your immigration journey proceeds smoothly and efficiently, minimizing risks associated with incompleteness or errors.

We are genuinely committed to provide reliable, transparent, and tailored advice that meets IRCC’s rigorous requirements, facilitating a successful immigration application and securing your Canadian future.

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About the Author

I’m Ahmet Faruk Ocak, a Canadian immigration lawyer and the founder of Blacksy Immigration Law Firm 🌊. 

At Blacksy, we specialize in providing honest, straightforward, and tailored immigration solutions to individuals and businesses worldwide. Our brand promise is simple: no unnecessary fuss, no false hopes, and no empty promises—just realistic, reliable guidance to help you achieve your immigration goals.

Whether you’re expanding your business to Canada, transferring top talent, or planning your future here, we’re here to guide you with precision, transparency, and care.

Visit us at www.blacksyimmigration.com to learn more or to start your journey.