How to increase your score for immigration to Canada

What is the Comprehensive Ranking System

The CRS is a points-based system that the IRCC uses to assess and rank a candidate's profile for immigration. The higher the CRS score, the more likely a candidate is to get picked under an immigration program.

The CRS was introduced alongside Express Entry in 2015 and is used by the IRCC to manage permanent residence applications through the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Express Entry and the CRS in 2023

In 2023, Canada issued over 110,000 Invitations to apply in 42 draws to meet its 82,880 planned permanent resident admissions target through the three Federal High Skilled programs for workers.

The lowest CRS threshold was 481 for the March 29, 2023 draw, where 7,000 candidates were issued Invitations to apply. The highest recorded was 561 on December 6, where 4,750 candidates received Invitations.

How the CRS works

The CRS consists of Core and Additional factors that combine to 1,200 points.

The Core factors account for 600 points based on factors like your Skills and experience, including your age, level of education, first and second language ability, Canadian work experience, skill transferability and the qualifications and skills of your spouse or common-law partner.

Additional factors that account for the rest of the 600 points include any Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates, a valid Canadian job offer, a nomination from a province through the Provincial Nominee Program, family members already settled in Canada, or French language skills.

Improving your CRS score

• Apply while you're young. Candidates between 20 and 29 are automatically credited 110 CRS points. The older your age group, the fewer the points. Candidates above 45 receive no CRS points. Applying early will benefit you greatly.

• Work on your language score- The easiest way to improve your CRS score is by improving your CLB grade. Online courses and guides can help you prepare for the International English Language Test (IELTS) or equivalent language tests. Work on all aspects of the language: reading, speaking, listening and writing. A CLB benchmark of 4 and 5 carries only 6 CRS points, while the maximum of CLB 10 and above earns you 34 CRS points. A realistic score of CLB 7 or 8 will net you 17 and 23 CRS points.

• Job Offer: Obtain a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. A job offer can add additional points to your CRS score, mainly if it is in a skilled occupation and supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

• Canadian work experience- Having some Canadian work experience benefits your CRS score. A single year of work experience is worth 40 CRS points, while five years of experience gets you 80 CRS points. It can quickly pump up your score and make you eligible for the next round of invitations.

• Gain some foreign work experience- Have relevant work experience in your home country before applying for Permanent Residency. One or two years of non-Canadian experience with a CLB of 9 or higher can get you 25 CRS points. Three or more years of experience with a CLB 9 will get you a whooping 50 CRS points.

• Get as many Educational credentials as possible- A post-secondary program of 3 or more years will get you 120 CRS points. A master's or professional degree is worth 135 CRS points, and a Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) is worth 150 CRS points. Getting educational qualifications is an easy way to boost your CRS scores.

• Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)- Getting nominated by a province gets you an additional 600 CRS points. It guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence.

• Look out for Canadian jobs- An employment offer from a Canadian employer will significantly improve your chances of getting an ITA. You can get 200 CRS points for a valid job offer. Fish around and get in touch with contacts in the Canadian job market.

• Spouse or Common-Law Partner's Skills: A spouse or common-law partner can also improve your chances of a higher score if they are highly qualified in their language skills and educational credentials.

In conclusion, increasing your CRS score involves strategic enhancements to crucial factors such as language proficiency, education, work experience, job offers, provincial nominations, adaptability, and age. By focusing on these areas and maximizing available opportunities, applicants can significantly improve their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and their chances of successfully immigrating to Canada.