An understanding of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is essential if you plan to apply for immigration to Canada under the Express Entry program. It can greatly increase your chances of being accepted. When choosing which candidates to send ITAs for Permanent Residence, the CRS is a key factor.

From the first to the last draw of the year, 110,266 ITAs for PR were issued by Canada using the Express Entry system in 2023. With an eye toward the future, the nation’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2024–2026 establishes a lofty goal of adding 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry by 2024. This illustrates the continued dedication to using Express Entry as the main skilled immigration pathway.

With the Express Entry system, obtaining an ITA for permanent residency requires a high CRS score. The CRS is an evaluation instrument designed by IRCC that is based on points. Its goal is to prioritize applicants under economic immigration programs so that the best candidates are selected to fill the urgent labor shortage in the nation.

Your chances of getting an ITA are greatly impacted by your CRS score because higher scorers are given preference in Express Entry lotteries. As a result, your chances of getting invited to apply will increase with a higher CRS score, which will also enable you to move closer to your immigration to Canada objective.

Is the CRS Score Accessible to Everyone?

To obtain a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, candidates must qualify for at least one of the following Express Entry programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This program is designed for skilled workers who have foreign work experience and want to settle in Canada permanently. Candidates are evaluated based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This program targets skilled tradespeople who wish to become permanent residents of Canada. Eligibility is based on having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority. Candidates are assessed on their work experience, language skills, and other relevant factors.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This program is aimed at individuals who have gained work experience in Canada on a temporary basis. Candidates must have at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years and must demonstrate proficiency in English or French.

Meeting the eligibility criteria for any one of these programs is essential for candidates to receive a CRS score, which is used to rank them in the Express Entry pool for potential invitations to apply for permanent residence.

How does Canada utilize the CRS to decide who qualifies for permanent residency?

Candidates seeking permanent residency through the Express Entry system are ranked according to their scores using the CRS in Canada. Candidates are given points by the CRS according to a number of criteria, including as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and additional requirements like receiving a job offer or a province nomination. The candidate’s likelihood of achieving financial success in Canada is influenced by these variables.

Based on their CRS ratings, candidates are ranked in the Express Entry pool. IRCC holds draws on a regular basis and extends invitations to the top-ranked candidates to seek for permanent residence. An ITA, which permits them to continue with the PR application process, is sent to those whose scores are higher than a predetermined level.

By guaranteeing that immigrants are given priority for immigration based on their likelihood of economic success in Canada, the CRS supports a merit-based selection procedure.

How is a person’s CRS score calculated?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) evaluates a candidate’s score across four key sections.

Core Human Capital

In this section, points are assigned based on four essential criteria:

  • Age: Points are awarded based on the candidate’s age at the time of applying, with younger candidates typically receiving more points.
  • Level of Education: This factor evaluates the highest level of education attained by the candidate, with higher education levels earning more points. Credentials obtained within or outside of Canada may influence the score differently.
  • Proficiency in Official Languages (French or English): Language skills in English or French are assessed, and points are given based on the candidate’s proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Higher language test scores lead to more points, especially if the candidate demonstrates strong abilities in both official languages.
  • Canadian Work Experience: This criterion measures the duration and type of skilled work experience that the candidate has acquired in Canada. More points are awarded for longer periods of Canadian work experience in skilled occupations.

The maximum number of points a candidate can receive for these core human capital factors varies depending on whether they are applying individually or with a spouse or common-law partner.

  • Candidates Applying Individually: A maximum of 500 points can be allocated for these factors, reflecting the candidate’s potential contribution to Canada’s economy based on their skills and experience.
  • Candidates Applying with a Spouse or Common-Law Partner: In this case, the maximum number of points awarded for core human capital factors is 460, while an additional 40 points are assigned for the spouse’s or partner’s human capital factors, which include their education, language skills, and Canadian work experience.

This system ensures a balanced assessment that considers both the primary candidate’s qualifications and, if applicable, their partner’s ability to contribute economically.

Spouse or common law partner

For candidates assessed with a spouse or common-law partner, up to 40 additional points can be earned based on the spouse’s qualifications and skills. These extra points are awarded according to the following criteria:

  • Spouse’s Educational Qualifications: Points are given based on the spouse’s highest level of education. The more advanced the spouse’s education, the more points they can contribute towards the candidate’s overall score.
  • Spouse’s Canadian Work Experience: If the spouse has gained skilled work experience in Canada, additional points are allocated depending on the length and nature of that experience. More extended and higher-level work experience typically results in a higher score.
  • Spouse’s Language Proficiency: The spouse’s abilities in English or French are assessed in areas such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The better the spouse’s language skills, the more points they can add to the candidate’s total score.

Regardless of whether a candidate is being assessed with or without a spouse, the combined maximum score that can be achieved under the core human capital and spousal factors sections remains capped at 500 points. This scoring system ensures a fair evaluation by considering both the primary applicant’s and, if applicable, the spouse’s potential contributions to Canada’s economy.

Skills transferability

Candidates can also earn points based on how their qualifications and skills interact and complement each other, known as skills transferability. This aspect of the scoring system recognizes the value of combining different strengths.

Points are awarded for the following combinations:

  • Foreign Work Experience + Canadian Work Experience: Candidates can earn up to 50 points by having a mix of work experience gained outside of Canada and within Canada.
  • Foreign Work Experience + High Proficiency in an Official Language: Up to 50 points can be awarded if a candidate combines foreign work experience with strong language skills in English or French.
  • Post-Secondary Education + High Language Proficiency: Points (up to 50) are given for the combination of a candidate’s educational background and high proficiency in an official language.
  • Post-Secondary Education + Canadian Work Experience: Candidates can receive up to 50 points by having both educational qualifications and work experience obtained in Canada.

Overall, a maximum of 100 points can be accumulated for skills transferability, providing a boost to candidates whose combined skills and qualifications make them well-suited for success in Canada’s job market.

Extra points

The final section awards extra points based on various additional factors, including:

  • Having a Sibling in Canada: Candidates receive points if they have a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, helping to strengthen family connections in Canada.
  • French Language Skills: Points are given for proficiency in French, aligning with the government’s goal to boost the number of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec.
  • Post-Secondary Education in Canada: Studying in Canada can earn candidates extra points, recognizing the value of Canadian education.
  • Arranged Employment: Points are allocated for having a valid job offer in Canada, with the number of points varying based on the job’s classification under the NOC system.
  • Provincial Nomination: Receiving a nomination from a province or territory provides an additional 600 points, significantly increasing the likelihood of receiving an ITA in upcoming Express Entry draws.

Candidates can earn up to 600 points in total for these additional factors, providing substantial boosts to their overall scores.

What CRS Score Do I Need to Qualify for an Invitation?

The IRCC implemented category-based selection draws in 2023 in an effort to alleviate nationwide labor market shortages. Generally speaking, these categories’ CRS cut-off scores are lower than those for drawings that are program- or general-specific.

For example, on September 28, 2023, candidates in the agriculture and agri-food occupations had the lowest CRS cut-off score for any draw in 2023, which was 354. On March 29, 2023, the lowest cut-off score for general draws that year was 481, which was noticeably higher.

The draw that had the lowest cut-off score (338) among all draws that have been reported as of 2024 was held on March 26 and was centered around French language competence. On March 25, the lowest possible cut-off score for general draws was 524.

The Government of Canada has a comprehensive list of points available for candidates depending on their abilities and qualifications on their website, if you’re interested in finding out your CRS score. For a more precise estimation of your score, you can use a CRS points calculator or manually add up your points based on the given standards.

Can I enhance my CRS score? 

Although there are certain elements of your CRS score that are out of your control, such age, there are a number of areas you can improve to raise your score:

Language Abilities

One of the most important aspects of the CRS is proficiency in both French and English. When paired with additional criteria, achieving good competency in both languages can win you up to 310 points. Consider strengthening your language abilities and retaking the language exam if you want to increase your CRS score. Remember that your total CRS score will be determined using the lower score if it drops on the second try.

Education

Greater CRS points are awarded for more advanced degrees. A master’s degree, for example, is worth 135 points, and a PhD is worth up to 150 points. The CRS also recognises and honors Canadian education. If you successfully complete a three-year or longer post-secondary degree in Canada, you will automatically receive 30 points, and if you complete a one- or two-year program, you will receive 15 points.

To verify that their credentials are comparable to a Canadian credential, candidates with degrees from other countries must complete an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

Work Experience

Increasing your work experience can improve your CRS rating. Make sure that the responsibilities of your position correspond with skilled jobs as listed in Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC). Compute the total amount of time you have worked in skilled positions.

Depending on variables like education and language competency, candidates with Canadian job experience can receive up to 70 points in the Core Human Capital area and an additional point or two in the Skills Transferability section.

Arranged Employment

Typically for top management roles, candidates with arranged employment classed under Major Group 00 of the NOC may obtain up to 200 CRS points. You can receive an extra 50 CRS points if you have organized work in NOC TEER 1, 2, or 3, or any TEER 0 category other than Major Group 00.

Considering Spouse or Common-Law Partner’s Qualifications

It could be wise to consider whether your spouse or common-law partner would be a better primary applicant. You might have a better chance of getting a higher CRS score if your partner is older, more educated, speaks French fluently, or works in an in-demand profession.

What are my options if I don’t qualify for Express Entry?

If you do not qualify for Express Entry, there are alternative pathways for immigrating to Canada. These options include:

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Base PNP Programs: These programs enable provinces and territories to nominate candidates for immigration outside of the Express Entry system. To be eligible, candidates must first meet the specific criteria of a PNP stream. If successful in obtaining a provincial nomination, candidates can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency (PR).

Other Immigration Pathways

Canada also offers immigration pathways beyond economic immigration, including:

Family and Spousal Sponsorship: This pathway allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members or partners for immigration to Canada. Eligible individuals include spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and other relatives. The sponsorship process requires demonstrating a genuine relationship and financial capability to support the sponsored individuals.

Refugee or Humanitarian Programs: Canada provides options for individuals seeking refuge from persecution or those in vulnerable situations through various refugee and humanitarian programs. These programs aim to offer protection and support to individuals fleeing conflict, violence, or other forms of oppression in their home countries.

Exploring these alternatives can provide viable pathways for those who may not meet the criteria for Express Entry but still wish to immigrate to Canada.