Not stating in the expression of interest information about a spouse or about one’s own experience that doesn’t yield points is not forbidden in itself, as long as it doesn’t turn into concealment. The option «may» means a right, not an obligation. The main rule: everything submitted into the process can be used against the applicant, so the scope of disclosure needs to be calibrated, not cut at random.

What’s Allowed in the Expression of Interest

The platform states that you may indicate work experience for both the principal applicant and the spouse. The word «may» leaves room not to do so. It is not an obligation. So if the accompanying spouse doesn’t work, or their experience isn’t needed for points, it can be left out of the declaration. Likewise, the principal applicant need not claim work experience if it doesn’t yield points.

This isn’t a violation as long as it’s a matter of choice rather than omission, meaning concealment. Concealment is considered to be the omission of information that the process requires or that affects the assessment.

What Changes After an Invitation

If an invitation arrives, the applicant must fill out the profile in full. At this point there’s no longer a choice about what to show. If work experience is claimed in the profile, its authenticity and actual performance must be proven. If part of the experience doesn’t match what the applicant wants to rely on for points, or if documentary proof or the legality of the work might raise questions, that part can be left out of the expression of interest, including in a subsequent declaration.

The initial declaration may differ from the next one. The reasons can vary: there was a refusal, or the applicant changed their mind, or an invitation was received and then declined, after which the declaration was changed. Such a change is permissible; there is nothing unlawful about it. But the requirement remains unchanged: information cannot be concealed.

The «Background» Section and the Full Picture

The application itself contains a «background» section (antécédents), visible only at the time of submission. Its purpose is to allow applicants to describe their entire path, including anything not mentioned when describing work experience. So an omission in the declaration doesn’t eliminate the need to disclose this information later, when the form requires it.

Why Applying on Your Own Is Risky

In the case described, the applicant aimed for full transparency and listed work experience spanning more than 10 years. Such completeness wasn’t required, and every extra document opened up a question for the officer. In another case, known only in general terms, everything had already been noted in the system, but the final document didn’t go through, and as a result the applicant could have lost permanent residence over a single detail that puzzled the agent.

Hence the general principle: a balance between omitting nothing and providing only what is strictly necessary. This is where mistakes happen most often. Applying on your own is worthwhile only with sufficient confidence and decision-making ability. A first refusal affects subsequent applications, so it’s better to get it right the first time.