Key Facts About the Comprehensive Ranking System Explained

If you're considering immigrating to Canada through the Express Entry program, gaining a thorough understanding of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) can be a game changer. The CRS is a points-based system used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to rank and select candidates who have the potential to fill important roles in Canada’s workforce. With the country’s ever-growing need for skilled labour, understanding how the system works and how you can improve your score is crucial.

In 2023 alone, Canada issued 110,266 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency through the Express Entry system, and it plans to issue even more in 2024. The country has set an ambitious goal of welcoming 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry as part of its Immigration Levels Plan 2024-26. Given the competition, having a solid CRS score could greatly increase your chances of receiving an ITA and securing your future in Canada.

What Is the CRS and What Is Its Importance?

The CRS is an online scoring system developed by the Canadian government to evaluate candidates applying through the Express Entry pool. It assigns a score based on various factors that reflect an individual’s potential to contribute to Canada’s economy. The higher your score, the more likely you are to receive an ITA. Since ITAs are only extended to candidates with top-ranking scores, a deep understanding of the CRS and how it works can improve your chances of being invited.

Express Entry itself is a system that manages applications for three federal immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Each program has its eligibility criteria, but once you qualify for any of these, your profile will be added to the Express Entry pool and assigned a CRS score.

How Does the CRS Work?

The CRS awards points based on four key sections: Core Human Capital, Spouse or Common-Law Partner factors, Skills Transferability, and Additional factors. Each section evaluates different aspects of your profile, from your age and education to your language proficiency and work experience. The maximum score that you can achieve is 1,200 points. This is how the points are broken down:

1. Core Human Capital

This section evaluates four key factors: age, education, official language proficiency, and Canadian work experience. The number of points you can earn depends on whether you're applying as a single applicant or with a spouse. If you’re applying without a spouse, you can receive up to 500 points for these factors. If you’re applying with a spouse, the total is reduced to 460 points, but your spouse can earn up to 40 points based on their qualifications and experience, making up the difference.

• Age: Younger candidates generally score higher because Canada wants to attract individuals who have many working years ahead of them.
• Education: Higher levels of education help you get more points. For example, candidates with a PhD can score more than those with a bachelor's degree.
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English and/or French is another critical factor. Candidates who score highly on language tests like IELTS or TEF can significantly boost their CRS score. Mastery of both languages earns the most points.
• Canadian Work Experience: If you have work experience in Canada, you’ll earn extra points. This experience is highly valued as it shows you can successfully integrate into the Canadian labour market.

2. Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors

If you're applying with a spouse or common-law partner, up to 40 additional points can be awarded based on their skills. The points in this section are divided into three categories:

• Education: Similar to the principal applicant, a spouse’s educational qualifications can contribute additional points.
• Language Proficiency: If your spouse demonstrates proficiency in either English or French, you’ll receive more points.
• Canadian Work Experience: Your spouse's Canadian work experience also adds points to your overall score.

3. Skills Transferability

This section evaluates how well your different qualifications and skills complement one another. Points are awarded based on combinations of factors such as:

• Foreign Work Experience + Canadian Work Experience: You can earn points if you have both foreign and Canadian work experience.
• Post-Secondary Education + Language Proficiency: If you have a post-secondary degree and high language test scores, you’ll earn extra points.
• Post-Secondary Education + Canadian Work Experience: Candidates who combine Canadian work experience with a post-secondary degree also benefit from extra points.
• Foreign Work Experience + Language Proficiency: If you have foreign work experience and strong language skills, you can score up to 50 points.

The maximum number of points available in the Skills Transferability section is 100, making it a crucial area to focus on.

4. Additional Factors

These points are awarded based on a variety of extra factors that can give your CRS score a final push:

• Provincial Nomination: One of the most valuable factors, receiving a provincial nomination from any province or territory in Canada automatically awards you 600 points. This is often enough to guarantee an ITA in upcoming draws.
• Arranged Employment: Having a valid job offer in Canada also adds points, depending on the type of job. Senior management roles in the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Major Group 00 can add 200 points, while other skilled positions may add 50 points.
• French Language Skills: Given Canada’s goal of increasing the number of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec, proficiency in French can add up to 50 points.
• Siblings in Canada: If you have a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can gain additional points.
• Canadian Education: Candidates who have completed post-secondary education in Canada receive extra points. A three-year program will earn 30 points, while shorter programs can add 15 points.

How Does Canada Use the CRS to Issue ITAs?

IRCC holds periodic Express Entry draws to invite candidates from the pool to apply for permanent residency. During each draw, candidates with CRS scores above a certain threshold receive ITAs. This threshold, or cut-off score, varies depending on the type of draw, whether it’s a general draw or a category-specific one.

In 2023, the lowest cut-off score for a general draw was 481 points, while category-based draws for occupations in agriculture and agri-food had lower cut-offs, with the lowest being 354 points. In 2024, as of this writing, the lowest cut-off for general draws was 524 points, while category-specific draws, such as French language proficiency, saw cut-offs as low as 338 points.

How Can You Improve Your CRS Score?

While certain factors in your CRS score, like age, cannot be changed, there are several ways to increase your score:

1. Improve Your Language Skills: Proficiency in English and French is one of the most significant factors in the CRS. Retaking language tests like IELTS or TEF to improve your scores could result in a significant boost. Keep in mind that Canada values proficiency in both languages, so studying both English and French could work in your favour.
2. Pursue Higher Education: A higher level of education results in more points. For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree, pursuing a master’s or PhD can increase your score. In addition, Canadian education is particularly valuable. You can earn additional points if you’ve completed a program of at least one year in Canada.
3. Gain More Work Experience: Canadian work experience is highly valued in the CRS. If you have the opportunity to work in Canada, this can be a game changer for your score. Even foreign work experience can increase your points when combined with other factors.
4. Get a Provincial Nomination: As mentioned earlier, receiving a provincial nomination is one of the fastest ways to guarantee an ITA. Research different Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and see if you meet the criteria for any of them.
5. Obtain Arranged Employment: Having a valid job offer in Canada can also increase your CRS score. Depending on the job category, you could earn anywhere from 50 to 200 points.
6. Consider Your Spouse’s Qualifications: If your spouse has higher qualifications or work experience that aligns with Canada’s immigration priorities, consider having them apply as the principal applicant. This could increase your combined CRS score.

Alternatives to Express Entry

If you don’t qualify for Express Entry or if your CRS score isn’t high enough to receive an ITA, there are other immigration pathways available:

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some provinces and territories offer PNPs that operate outside of Express Entry. These programs allow them to select candidates who meet specific local labour needs. Successful nominees can then apply for permanent residency through IRCC.
• Family and Spousal Sponsorship: Canada also has programs that allow citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members for immigration.
• Refugee and Humanitarian Programs: For those seeking asylum or fleeing persecution, Canada offers various refugee and humanitarian immigration programs.

Conclusion

The Comprehensive Ranking System is an essential component of Canada’s immigration process, and understanding it can greatly enhance your chances of securing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency. By focusing on areas where you can improve your score—such as language skills, education, and work experience—you can increase your likelihood of success. With Canada’s focus on economic immigration and its need for skilled workers, now is an excellent time to take the steps necessary to improve your CRS score and pursue your dream of becoming a permanent resident.