Ways to Increase CRS Score for Canada’s Express Entry

Canada’s Express Entry system is a highly competitive points-based immigration program designed to select skilled workers for permanent residency. To succeed in this process, applicants must improve their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which determines their rank in the Express Entry pool. There are several ways to increase CRS score, some of which we have discussed here. This score determines your eligibility for receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. So, boosting your score can significantly improve your chances.

How is the Cut-Off Score for an Express Entry Draw Decided?

The cut-off mark for each Express Entry draw depends on several factors:

Size of the Draw

Each Express Entry draw invites a certain number of candidates to apply for permanent residency. The cut-off score is determined by the CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate who is invited to that specific draw. For example, if IRCC decides to invite 3,000 candidates, the cut-off score will be the CRS score of the 3,000th highest-ranking person in the pool.

Number of Candidates in the Pool

The cut-off score fluctuates based on the number of candidates currently in the Express Entry pool and their CRS scores. If the pool contains many high-scoring candidates, the cut-off score will be higher. If fewer candidates have high CRS scores, the cut-off score may be lower.

Timing of the Draw

When a draw occurs after a long gap, more candidates enter the pool, and the cut-off score is likely to be higher. Conversely, frequent draws reduce the number of high-ranking candidates in the pool, potentially lowering the cut-off score.

Invitations to Specific Groups (Targeted Draws)

Sometimes, the IRCC conducts targeted draws for specific categories of candidates, such as those with provincial nominations, French language proficiency, or experience in specific occupations. These draws can have different cut-offs from general draws, affecting the overall cut-off score pattern.

Previous Draws

The cut-off score in recent draws influences future draws. If a previous draw had a low cut-off score, more candidates would have been invited, leaving fewer high-scoring candidates in the pool for the next draw.

The latest CRS score cut-off for general draws has typically ranged between 450 and 500 points. However, draws occasionally have lower cut-offs, especially during periods of high demand for immigrants or large draw sizes. However, targeted draws such as for Provincial Nominees often have much higher cut-off scores, reaching 600 or more points.

5 Ways to Increase CRS Score for Canada’s Express Entry

1. Obtain a Provincial Nomination

Obtaining a Provincial Nomination is one of the fastest and most impactful ways to increase your CRS score for Canada’s Express Entry system. If you successfully get a nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you will receive an additional 600 points in your CRS score. Given that the CRS cut-off scores for invitations to apply (ITA) often range between 400 and 500, the 600-point boost essentially guarantees that you will receive an ITA for permanent residency in the next draw.

Understanding Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Canada’s provinces and territories run their own immigration programs known as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These programs allow provinces to nominate individuals for permanent residency who have the skills, education, and work experience needed to contribute to the provincial economy. Each province has its own set of requirements, streams, and target occupations.

While each province’s PNP has different criteria, they generally focus on:

• Skills in demand within the province.
• Work experience in high-demand occupations.
• Job offers from provincial employers.
• Language proficiency and adaptability to settle in the province.

Improve Your Language Scores

The language component is another one of the ways to increase CRS scores. It can contribute up to 290 CRS points for a single applicant, and more if you have a spouse. You can improve your language score by either scoring high in one language test or taking two tests if applicable. Usually, your score for any test you take must be converted to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). This is the format for the CRS Score Calculator Canada.

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Scores

The CRS assigns points based on your Canadian Language Benchmark level. This correlates with the scores from your language test (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF). The higher your CLB level, the more points you earn.

• CLB 4 to CLB 5: Basic proficiency—a few points awarded.
• CLB 6: Moderate proficiency—still minimal impact.
• CLB 7: Adequate proficiency—qualifies you for the minimum Express Entry requirement but leaves room for improvement.
• CLB 9 and above: High proficiency, significantly boosts your CRS score and opens up more points in other categories like skill transferability.

Language Score Requirement

Primary Language (English or French)

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you need at least CLB 7 in all four skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). This is equivalent to:

• IELTS: Listening (6.0), Reading (6.0), Writing (6.0), Speaking (6.0).
• CELPIP: Listening (7), Reading (7), Writing (7), Speaking (7).

Achieving this minimum will give you some CRS points but not the maximum. If you are seeking ways to increase CRS score through language, aim for at least CLB 9, which equates to:

• IELTS: Listening (8.0), Reading (7.0), Writing (7.0), Speaking (7.0).
• CELPIP: Listening (9), Reading (9), Writing (9), Speaking (9).

This level of proficiency can yield significant points. It will also allow you to benefit from the skill transferability factors where you can combine your high language score with education or foreign work experience. This gives you the full 50 points under this factor.

Secondary Language (Bilingual Candidates)

Canada places a premium on bilingual candidates. So, if you speak both English and French, you can earn additional CRS points by taking both language tests (e.g., IELTS for English and TEF for French).

You can receive additional points for your second official language if you score CLB 5 or above in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).

CRS Language Points Breakdown

For each ability (reading, writing, listening, speaking):

• Maximum points per ability: 34 points for the first official language.
• Maximum total for all four abilities: 136 points for single applicants or 128 points if applying with a spouse.

For your second language, you can get up to:

• 22 points for single applicants.
• 24 points for applicants with a spouse.

Achieving higher scores in each language ability will push you toward the maximum CRS points available. Hence, it is one of the ways to increase CRS scores.

2. Gain Additional Work Experience

The CRS score rewards both foreign work experience and Canadian work experience, and by maximizing the years and quality of your experience, you can earn more points.

How Points are Awarded for Foreign Work Experience

• Less than 1 year: Foreign work experience under 1 year does not earn any CRS points.
• 1 to 2 years: You can earn points under the human capital section for 1-2 years of foreign skilled work experience, but it won’t maximize your score. You may earn 40 points for 1 year and 53 points for 2 years of experience. However, if you have a partner, you get 35 points for 1 year and 46 points for 2 years of experience.
• 3 years or more: This is the optimal range for maximizing points in the foreign work experience category. You get 64 points if you are alone and 56 points if you have a partner.

How Points are Awarded for Canadian Work Experience

• Less than 1 year: Canadian work experience under 1 year does not earn points.
• 1 to 5+ years: Points increase progressively with the number of years worked in a skilled occupation in Canada. The maximum points are awarded for 5 or more years of work experience. Thus, 1 year gets 40 points, 2 years get 53 points, 3 years get 64 points, 4 years get 72 points and 5 years get 80 points. However, if you have a partner, the points drop. 1 year gets 35 points, 2 years get 46, 3 years get 56 points, 4 years get 63 points, and 5 years get 70 points.

As you can see, the value of Canadian work experience is very high. Adding just one year can contribute an additional 40 points, making it one of the ways to increase CRS score. This is how to get points for PR in Canada if you have the opportunity to work in the country.

3. Pursue Higher Education

The CRS rewards higher education with increasing points as the level of education increases. So, depending on your level of education, you may take diploma courses to increase CRS score. Below is a breakdown of how different levels of education are awarded points:

• Secondary school (high school): Without a spouse, you get 30 points. With a spouse, you get 28 points
• One-year post-secondary credential: Without a spouse, you get 90 points. With a spouse, you get 84 points
• Two-year post-secondary credential: Without a spouse, you get 98 points. With a spouse, you get 91 points
  Bachelor’s degree or a three-year post-secondary credential: Without a spouse, you get 120 points. With a spouse, you get 112 points
• Two or more post-secondary credentials (one must be at least three years): Without a spouse, you get 128 points. With a spouse, you get 119 points
• Master’s degree or a professional degree: Without a spouse, you get 135 points. With a spouse, you get 126 points
• Doctoral degree (PhD): Without a spouse, you get 150 points. With a spouse, you get 140 points.

If you pursue higher education outside of Canada, you will need to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your degree or diploma. This is to ensure it is recognized by Canadian immigration authorities. This assessment will verify that your degree is equivalent to a Canadian educational qualification. Hence, allowing you to claim CRS points for it. ECAs can be obtained through organizations like:

• World Education Services (WES)
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
• Comparative Education Service (CES)

4. Get a Job Offer in Canada

Getting a job offer from a Canadian employer is also one of the ways to increase CRS score. While a job offer is not required to enter the Express Entry pool, it can add either 50 or 200 points to your CRS score. The difference is dependent on the position’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) level. This increase can make a crucial difference in your ability to receive an ITA, as the additional points can push your CRS score above the cutoff in any given draw.

Job Offer for NOC 0, A, or B Positions (50 Points)

For most skilled positions classified under NOC 0 (management occupations), NOC A (professional occupations), or NOC B (technical jobs and skilled trades), a valid job offer will add 50 points to your CRS score. These positions include roles like:

• Engineers
• Nurses
• Financial analysts
• Electricians
• Administrative managers

Job Offer for Senior Executive Positions (200 Points)

A job offer for senior management roles categorized under NOC 00 (executive-level occupations) will add a substantial 200 points to your CRS score. These positions are typically high-level leadership roles that require significant experience and expertise. They include:

• Chief executive officers (CEOs)
• Chief financial officers (CFOs)
• Vice presidents

Conclusion

Improving your CRS score is essential for enhancing your chances of being selected through Canada’s Express Entry system. From boosting language skills and gaining relevant work experience to pursuing higher education and obtaining a provincial nomination or valid job offer, each step plays a crucial role in increasing your score. By strategically maximizing these ways to increase CRS score, you can position yourself for success and improve your likelihood of obtaining permanent residency in Canada. Ultimately, a higher CRS score opens doors to more opportunities, bringing you closer to your goal of starting a new life in Canada.