Canada’s Express Entry system is not only one of the most popular ways to immigrate to Canada but is also one of the fastest. Thousands of applicants apply every year in the hopes of making their dreams come true of building a new home in Canada. However, what you may not be aware of is that it is no longer simply enough to just submit your application, get your CRS score and wait for an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

What is CRS Canada score?

In order to rank immigration candidates, the Canadian government developed a merit-based points system which assigns a score to each candidate in the Express Entry pool. This points system is called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the score assigned to each candidate is called the CRS score

This is a points-based system that is used to score and provide a ranking to candidates in the Express Entry pool. The assessment fields for the score include:

• Skills
• Education
• Language ability
• Work experience
• Other factors

Immigration candidates who submit their profiles to the Express Entry pool are assigned a CRS score out of 1200 points. The Express Entry draw is conducted every two weeks and has a required CRS score.

CRS Score – The Breakdown

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a tool used to rank you when you apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry System. You will be able to apply through one of three Canada immigration programs:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program;
• The Federal Skilled Trade Program; or
• The Canada Experience Class

Each program has its own set of criteria that needs to be met in order to qualify. It is important to note that the Federal Skilled worker program requires that you score at least 67 out of a maximum 100 points in order to qualify. This is scored differently to the CRS and is an initial assessment of whether or not you qualify to apply through this program. Once this has been established your points will be scored according to the CRS.

The higher your CRS score, the higher your chances of being selected to receive an ITAs for Canadian permanent residency.

To get an ITA you will have to score the same as the CRS cut-off score or higher, which is released every two weeks once the Express Entry draws have taken place. This score will be different for every draw and is based on the CRS scores of everyone in your draw pool. The higher the average of the cut-off scores in the draw pool the higher the CRS cut-off score. This is why it is so important to make sure that you have the highest score possible.

How Are CRS Points Calculated?

When you apply through Canada’s Express Entry system, you’ll be able to score a maximum of 1,200 CRS points. There are two main categories where you can score CRS points:

• Core points = 600 points; and
• Additional points = 600 points

Core CRS Points

Core CRS points are awarded for the following:

1. Skills and experience factors
2. Spouse or common-law partner factors eg. language skills and education; and
3. Skills transferability eg. education and work experience.

Additional CRS Points

Additional CRS points are awarded for the following:

1. Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates;
2. A valid job offers;
3. A nomination from a province or territory;
4. A brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident.
5. Strong French language skills.

CORE POINTS + ADDITIONAL POINTS = TOTAL SCORE

Below are the categories of CRS score. There are four subsections:

Factors	Maximum Points Available
A. Core / Human Capital Factors	460 (with spouse)
500 (without spouse)
B. Spouse or Common-Law Factors	40
C. Skill Transferability Factors	100
D. Additional Points	600
Maximum Total Points	1200

Core / Human Capital Factors:

Factors	Points
	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
Maximum	460	500

Spouse or Common-Law Factors

Factors	Points
Level of education	10
Official language proficiency	20
Canadian Work Experience	10
Maximum	40

Skill Transferability Factors:

Factor	Points
Education
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a post-secondary degree	50
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree	50
Maximum	50
Foreign work experience
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
Maximum	50
Certificate of qualification (for people in trade occupations)
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a certificate of qualification	50
Maximum	50
Maximum	100

Additional Points

Factor	Points
Brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident)	15
French language skills	30
Post-secondary education in Canada	30
Arranged employment	200
PN nomination	600
Maximum	600

Cut-off score for CRS in 2021

The average cut-off score is 470. A CRS draw is a mechanism used by IRCC, in which they select Express Entry applicants whose CRS scores are above a threshold that they set at each draw. Draws usually take place on Wednesdays every two weeks, but IRCC sometimes deviates from this unspoken rule. 

1. A good CRS score is in the range of 460 to 470. You can expect to get the ITA if you have the score in this range. But, applicants with fewer scores also have the chance of receiving the ITA.
2. The minimum CRS score depends on the scores of all the applicants in the Express Entry Pool who have applied in the same draw, and the score chosen by the CEC. Most ITAs (Invitation to Apply) for permanent residence range between 439 to 465.

Required documents to claim your CRS points

• Work experience:

For salaried employees:

• Reference letter from your employer 
• Include all occupations held during your employment (title, duties, beginning date of employment, if currently employed in the company (end date of employment if not), number of work hours/week, and annual wages and benefits)

For independent/ self-employed individuals:

• Evidence that you own your business.
• Documents for proof of income from clients.

If you have Canadian work experience:

• Copies of your T4 tax information slips.
• Notices of assessment.

Education:

Proof of completed studies in Canada or outside Canada can include copies    of:

• the credentials: copy of your certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree diploma, and/or
• school transcripts showing you completed the requirements of your credential.

Valid job offers:

Your letter of employment must include the following:

• letterhead and contact information of the company, your name, and the name, title and signature of your future immediate superior or HR officer
• job start date, occupation title, duties, numbers of work hours/week, annual salary and benefits
• clarification that the job is on a continuous and full-time basis, for at least one year after issuance of the PR visa.  
• it must also specify you are holding said job currently.

Certificate of qualification:

A copy of your received provincial/territorial certificate of qualification.

Documentation is a crucial part of your Visa process. Let us help you do it correctly.

Relative in Canada:

• Prove that your family member is living in Canada
• Prove of their relationship to you or your spouse/partner
• Proof of your family member’s Canadian citizenship or permanent residence

How to improve your CRS score points in 2021?

• Common-law partner or spouse: Applicants with spouses have a chance of earning extra points. You can gain at least 40 more points from your spouse’s qualification.
• Retake your language test: You can apply for the test again to improve your CRS score. For French, you can take either TEF or TCF. And, for English, you can take CELPIP or IELTS. This will serve as a certification exam for your language abilities.

To reach CLB 9 on the IELTS General Training exam, you have to achieve the following minimum scores: Listening: 8.0, Speaking 7.0, Reading: 7.0, Writing: 7.0

• Provincial Nominee Program: You can gain a massive 600 points if you manage to get provincial nomination
• Educational level: Applicants can gain more points if they get more degrees. Technical schools that teach vocations that are valid in Canada count.
• Job offer: If you get a Canadian job offer, you increase the chances of scoring more points.
• Type of arranged employment: Opt for full-time work that has a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
• Work experience: Work in Canada will get you more points than non-Canadian work experience. The more years you have, the higher your score will be.
• Seek help from a professional: Novaturient Immigration consultant has ample experience in helping applicants with immigration and visa consultancy services. With the most experienced immigration lawyers and a dynamic staff with extensive knowledge, you can be rest-assured that your visa is only a call away!

Novaturient is a Licensed Immigration consultant that offer Visa services in acquiring Permanent Resident Visa, Student Visa and Visit Visa for countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Schengen Countries and the UK.

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