In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and co-host Alicia Backman-Beharry dive into one of the most critical yet confusing areas of Express Entry: what happens when your situation changes after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Whether it’s a job change, a new family member, or realizing you made an error in your profile, what you do next could mean the difference between permanent residency or a five-year ban for misrepresentation.

They walk you through the consequences of making changes post-ITA, what types of changes are most common, and—most importantly—how to handle them properly using Letters of Explanation (LoEs). This episode is an essential listen for anyone who’s received an ITA and wants to avoid costly mistakes that could derail their immigration journey.

🔎 If you’ve received an ITA or plan to submit your eAPR soon, this episode is packed with guidance to help you avoid misrepresentation and ensure a smooth Express Entry process.

Key Topics Discussed

⚠️ What’s the Big Deal About Post-ITA Changes?

Why changes made after receiving an ITA can lead to refusal, inadmissibility, or even a 5-year ban.

Explanation of the A11.2 assessment and how IRCC uses it to assess eligibility.

The legal obligation to notify IRCC of material changes to your application.

📝 Common Post-ITA Changes That Could Sink Your Application

Incorrect NOC codes and what happens if you realize the wrong one was used.

Adjusting job duties or hours of work—and the risk of being accused of misrepresentation.

Adding or removing work history and how it can affect your points or eligibility.

Updating expired or incorrect language tests and educational credential assessments (ECAs).

Changing marital status (getting married or having a baby) and how it affects your score and application.

💡 How to Make Corrections Safely and Strategically

When it’s okay to remove or change work history in your eAPR.

The role of Letters of Explanation (LoEs) in mitigating risk and explaining changes.

Strategies for dealing with expired documents or expiring test scores before submission.

🚫 What NOT to Do After Receiving an ITA

Ignoring changes or inconsistencies—IRCC can see your original profile details.

Failing to declare new family members or trying to game the system by adding a spouse later.

Relying on old Express Entry advice or advice from forums that no longer applies.

📬 The Power of Being Proactive

Why you should explain changes upfront to avoid being accused of misrepresentation.

How to address big mistakes like an undisclosed prior work history or education credentials.

Key Takeaways

✅ Always review your application carefully post-ITA—your situation may have changed. ✅ Use a Letter of Explanation to disclose and clarify any changes. ✅ Misrepresentation doesn’t require intent—it can happen from simple errors or omissions. ✅ If you’re unsure, get legal advice before submitting your eAPR. ✅ Being proactive is always better than trying to fix a problem later.

Quotes from the Episode

📢 Mark Holthe: “You never want to leave anything up to the discretion of an officer. The moment you get an ITA, everything you do next has to be 110% accurate.”

📢 Alicia Backman-Beharry: “Doing the right thing is usually hard. But it’s better to lose an application than be barred from Canada for five years.”

Links and Resources

Watch this episode on YouTube

Canadian Immigration Podcast

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Disclaimer

This episode provides general information about Canadian immigration and is not intended as legal advice. For personalized assistance, consult an immigration lawyer.