The Canadian government uses the CRS to score and rank Express Entry candidates.
Anyone who is considering immigrating to Canada under an Express Entry program will very quickly encounter the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Canada started using the CRS when it introduced Express Entry in 2015.
The CRS is a detailed and evidence-based approach designed to identify immigrants who have the best chance of succeeding in the Canadian labour market. It does this by awarding Express Entry candidates points based on core human capital criteria such as age, education, language skills, and work experience. Candidates are then ranked against each other based on their CRS score. Canadian Experience Class (CEC). A CRS score will only be given to candidates in these programs.
How it works
CRS scores are calculated using a variety of factors and can go as high as 1200 points. The higher you score, the more likely you are to get an invitation to apply (ITA).
There are four factors (also called “sections”) under which you can gain CRS points:
- Core/Human Captial (age, skilled work experience in Canada, education, and language)
- Spouse or common-law partner (education, language, work experience)
- Skill Transferability (combinations of language, education, and work experience)
- Additional factors (Provincial nomination, sibling in Canada, proficiency in English and French)
- Core/human capital
Core/human capital factors can add up to a maximum of 500 points with language the highest number of points at 150 as a single applicant, followed by education at 140, age at 100 and Canadian work experience at 70 points.
The highest number of additional points comes from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Candidates who receive a notification of interest from a province can apply for nomination to immigrate to a specific province. If they are successful in their provincial nomination, it is an automatic 600 CRS points on their Express Entry profile, which is higher than most candidates’ score and is likely to result in an invitation to apply for permanent residency from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
How can I improve my CRS score?
Focus on the factors within your control. You cannot control your age, but if you are 30 or older, you begin to lose points for your age, so you may decide it is best to enter the Express Entry pool sooner rather than later to maximize your age points.
One factor you may wish to improve on is your language test score, given that this is the human capital factor that can get you the most CRS points. It is common for Express Entry candidates to retake a language test until they get the CLB score they are content with.
If you are not eligible for an Express Entry program, or if you want to boost your CRS score, it may be possible to come to Canada on a temporary work permit or as a student. Gaining Canadian work and study experience is an asset when it comes to the CRS.
What if my CRS score is low?
A low CRS score shouldn’t be the end of your immigration journey to Canada. If you have completed your language testing and submitted your ECA, you should still submit an Express Entry application. Express Entry applications are free and you have nothing to lose by trying. Being in the pool gives you some chance of getting an ITA. For instance, a province may decide to invite you to apply to their PNP, which would virtually guarantee you an ITA for permanent residence.
Other human capital scores can always be improved. For example, there is no limit to the number of times you can submit your language test scores. IRCC will always use the highest score in your profile. You can update your Express Entry profile as often as you wish.
Remember that CRS score cut-offs are constantly changing in response to Canada’s evolving policies and economic priorities. You are also welcome to pursue other Canadian permanent residence pathways at the same time. IRCC does not prevent candidates from entering the Express Entry pool and also applying to other federal and provincial immigration programs.
