If you’re aiming to immigrate to Canada through an Express Entry program, understanding the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is essential for boosting your chances of success.
In 2023, Canada issued over 110,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through Express Entry, with similar targets set for 2024.
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To receive an ITA, you’ll need a competitive CRS score. The CRS was created by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to prioritize candidates who meet Canada’s economic needs.
The higher your CRS score, the better your chances of receiving an ITA—and ultimately, of obtaining permanent residency in Canada.
Who Can Receive a CRS Score?
Only candidates eligible for one of these three Express Entry programs are assigned a CRS score:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
How Canada Uses CRS for PR Selection
IRCC regularly holds Express Entry draws, inviting the highest-scoring candidates to apply for PR. All candidates in the pool who meet or exceed the CRS cutoff score receive ITAs. If there’s a tie, the date of application is used as a tiebreaker.
The CRS awards points across several factors:
- Skills
- Education
- Language Proficiency
- Work Experience
- Age
- Family Ties in Canada
- Arranged Employment
How CRS Scores Are Calculated
The CRS breaks down scores into four key sections:
1. Core Human Capital
This section awards points for age, education level, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience. Candidates without a spouse can earn up to 500 points, while those with a spouse can receive up to 460 points for their own profile, with an additional 40 points based on their spouse’s qualifications.
2. Spouse or Common-Law Partner
If assessed with a spouse, up to 40 points are awarded based on the spouse’s qualifications in areas like education, Canadian work experience, and language skills. Together, the Core Human Capital and Spousal sections provide a maximum of 500 points.
3. Skills Transferability
Candidates gain points through combinations of skills and experience, such as:
- Foreign Work Experience + Canadian Work Experience: up to 50 points
- Foreign Work Experience + Language Proficiency: up to 50 points
- Post-Secondary Credential + Canadian Work Experience: up to 50 points
Up to 100 points are available in total for Skills Transferability.
4. Additional Points
Extra points are awarded for:
- Sibling in Canada (citizen or PR)
- French Language Skills (supporting Canada’s French-speaking targets outside Quebec)
- Canadian Education (up to 30 points)
- Arranged Employment (based on job’s NOC classification)
- Provincial Nomination (earns an additional 600 points, making an ITA almost certain)
How High Does My CRS Score Need to Be?
In 2023, IRCC introduced category-based draws to fill key labour gaps. CRS cutoffs in these draws often trend lower than general draws. For instance, the lowest cut-off score in 2023 was 354 for agriculture-related occupations, while the lowest for general draws was 481.
If you want to calculate your score, Canada offers a CRS calculator to help estimate points based on your skills and qualifications.
Improving Your CRS Score
Several CRS factors can be improved over time:
- Language Skills – Proficiency in English and French can significantly impact your score. Improving these skills and retaking language tests can boost points, though only your latest score is counted.
- Education – Higher education levels earn more points, especially Canadian education credentials. Foreign degrees must be verified through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Work Experience – Candidates with Canadian work experience can earn up to 70 points in the Core Human Capital section, plus additional points under Skills Transferability.
- Arranged Employment – Senior management roles (NOC Major Group 00) receive 200 points, while other roles can earn up to 50 points.
- Spouse’s Qualifications – Those with a spouse should compare their respective scores to decide who would be the best principal applicant.
What if I Don’t Qualify for Express Entry?
If Express Entry isn’t an option, other pathways include:
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) – Base PNPs allow provinces to nominate candidates outside Express Entry. Candidates must meet the specific PNP stream requirements.
- Family Sponsorship and Humanitarian Programs – Canada also offers family and spousal sponsorship, as well as refugee and humanitarian options for qualifying individuals.
Ready to explore your options? Begin with a free immigration assessment to find out if you’re eligible!
