Express Entry Application: 5 Ways to Avoid Being Refused

Have you double-checked your employment letter before submitting your Express Entry profile?

Express Entry  is one of the most popular pathways to permanent residence in Canada. But lately, we’re seeing more applicants face refusals or delays because their supporting documents don’t clearly prove their work experience.

At Northia Immigration, we often meet clients who completed their profile correctly, had the right CRS score, and submitted their application confidently… only to be refused because IRCC wasn’t satisfied with the proof of employment.

The good news? Many of these refusals are preventable with the right preparation.

Below are 5 practical ways to strengthen your EE application and avoid common mistakes.

1) Don’t assume your employment letter is “good enough”.

Your employment letter isn’t just a formality, it’s one of the most important documents in your entire application.

IRCC officers use your letter to confirm that your work experience is real, valid, and meets EE requirements. They want to see that:

• Your job duties align with the NOC you selected
• Your employment dates are clearly stated
• Your hours and salary are included and consistent
• Your employer is legitimate and verifiable
  

Northia Tip: If your letter is missing key information—even one item—it can trigger doubt, delays, or refusal.

2) Match your NOC code properly (not just your job title)

Here’s the mistake we see all the time: applicants choose a NOC that sounds right, but doesn’t match what they actually do day-to-day.

Remember: your job title doesn’t matter as much as your job duties.

To reduce refusal risk:

• Use the most recent NOC system
• Compare your actual duties to the NOC lead statement
• Make sure your duties align with the majority of the NOC’s listed duties
• Avoid picking a NOC simply because it gives better points

 Northia Tip: A strong NOC match doesn’t just protect your application—it helps ensure your CRS points are calculated correctly.

3) Write real job duties (and never copy/paste from the NOC website)

If your job duties look copied, officers will notice.

Even if your experience is legitimate, copying duties directly from the NOC description can look generic or “too perfect.” Instead, your duties should sound natural, specific, and realistic.

A strong employment letter should include:

• Job title (and ideally the NOC code used in your application)
• Detailed job duties that reflect your real tasks
• Start and end dates of employment
• Salary, work hours, and employment type (full-time/part-time)
• Employer contact details (address, phone number, email, website)
• Signature from HR or an authorized person
  

Northia Tip: Your letter should “prove” your experience—not just describe your role. Specific details build credibility.

4) Make sure your numbers don’t contradict your documents

Want to know one of the fastest ways to get flagged? Conflicting dates, salary, or hours.

Even small inconsistencies can raise questions, such as:

• Your letter says one salary, but pay stubs show another
• Your dates don’t match across documents
• Your hours are unclear or change without explanation
• Your duties don’t match your claimed NOC level
  

Common supporting documents that should align with your letter include:

• Pay stubs
• Contracts
• T4s / Notices of Assessment (if applicable)
• Record of Employment (ROE)
• Employer verification information
  

Northia Tip: IRCC is not only checking what you submitted—they’re checking whether everything fits together logically.

5) Avoid these common EE application refusal triggers

Most refusals don’t happen because the applicant isn’t qualified—they happen because the evidence is incomplete or unclear.

Some of the most common refusal risks include:

• Missing or incomplete documentation
• Letters that are vague (“worked full-time” without hours)
• Discrepancies in dates, salaries, or job details
• Not demonstrating continuous work experience (where required)
• Weak proof that the employer is real and operating
  

Northia Tip: If an officer feels they can’t “verify” your work experience confidently, they may refuse the application—even if you are eligible.

Northia Quick Check (Before You Submit)

Before you submit your EE application, ask yourself:

✔ Does my letter include exact hours per week (not just “full-time”)?
✔ Are my duties specific and realistic, not copied from the NOC page?
✔ Do my duties match the NOC lead statement + majority of duties?
✔ Do my documents support my salary and dates?
✔ Can my employer be easily verified (phone, address, email, online presence)?

If any of these are unclear, it’s worth fixing before submitting.

Bringing it to Northia

Express Entry is competitive—but refusals are often avoidable with the right strategy and documentation.

At Northia Immigration, we help clients strengthen their files by:

• Reviewing and improving employment letters to meet IRCC standards
• Ensuring the selected NOC matches the applicant’s real job duties
• Identifying red flags before IRCC does
• Making sure supporting documents align clearly and consistently

If you’re preparing your Express Entry application and want confidence before submitting, we’re here to help.

Book your consultation with Northia Immigration to review your Express Entry documents and increase your chances of approval.

SOURCES: https://www.canada.ca/en.html