Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and how to improve it
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) — Score & How to Improve It
The CRS is a points-based system that we use to assess and score your profile and rank it in the Express Entry pool. It’s used to assess your:
- skills
- education
- language ability
- work experience
- other factors
Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factor
Factors — Points per factor (Maximum 40 points)
- Level of education 10
- Official language proficiency 20
Summary of Maximum Points per Factor
| Factors | With a spouse or common-law partner | Without a spouse or common-law partner |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 100 | 110 |
| Level of education | 140 | 150 |
| Official languages proficiency | 150 | 160 |
| Canadian work experience | 70 | 80 |
Skill Transferability Factors (Maximum 100 points)
Education — Points per factor (Maximum 50 points)
- With good/strong official languages proficiency and a post-secondary degree — 50
- With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree — 50
Foreign work experience — Points per factor (Maximum 50 points)
- With good/strong official languages proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level 7 or higher) and foreign work experience — 50
- With Canadian work experience and foreign work experience — 50
Additional Points (Maximum 600 points)
| Factor | Maximum points per factor |
|---|---|
| Brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident) | 15 |
| French language skills | 50 |
| Post-secondary education in Canada | 30 |
| Arranged employment – TEER 0 Major group 00 | 200 |
| Arranged employment – NOC TEER 1, 2 or 3, or any TEER 0 other than Major group 00 | 50 |
| PN nomination | 600 |
When CRS is Low
Examining the most recent Express Entry results is the best way to determine which Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are able to compete for those expecting to be invited to apply for a Canadian PR.
You should not be disheartened if your CRS score is currently lower than the most recent CRS cut-off requirements. Each Express Entry draw has different CRS score requirements. CRS cut-off changes can be extremely volatile.
You may patiently wait if your CRS score is just a little bit below the most recent cut-offs in the hope that eventually the cut-off will take your CRS score into account. You can also consider ways to raise your CRS score.
You shouldn’t feel discouraged if your CRS score is significantly lower than the most recent cut-offs. A provincial nomination, which is possible if you are in the Express Entry pool, will essentially ensure that you will be successful under Express Entry. You can also try to get a job offer in Canada, raise your CRS score, enroll in additional Canadian immigration schemes, or pursue a study path that will lead to a permanent resident visa in the interim.
On Express Entry Scores
Raising Express Entry CRS Score
You can improve your Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score by doing the following:
- Ensure that you claim all of the CRS points for which you are eligible
- Improve your language test score; this is most effective and important approach
- Make your spouse the primary applicant, if the spouse ranks better in qualifying factors
- Increase your education, if possible study in Canada
- Obtain additional work experience
- Work experience or Job offer in Canada can earn an additional 50 or 200 CRS points.
Raising Express Entry Score Through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Getting a provincial nomination is the greatest approach to raise your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranking. You can achieve this by making a direct application to a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream that is compatible with Express Entry. Additionally, you can join the Express Entry pool so that a province may ask you to apply through its PNP. Getting a provincial nomination will give you 600 more CRS points, which will ensure that you get an invitation from IRCC to apply for permanent residency.
Difference Between PNP and Express Entry
Provinces and territories can inform the federal government that an immigrant candidate satisfies the economic needs of their region through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Such candidates receive a provincial nomination, which they can submit with their federal application for permanent residence.