How To Improve Your CRS Score

There has never been a better time to migrate to Canada than right now. The government of Canada plans to welcome more than 800,000 newcomers in the years 2022 and 2023 combined. The Canadian economy is banking on this fresh pool of talent and skills to recover the dents made by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, immigrants benefit from Canada’s high quality of life and free society. Express Entry, the merit-based ranking system established in 2015, is the gateway that enables this exchange. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assesses each applicant based on openly declared criteria called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The following are some steps you can take to improve your CRS score.

Maximize Language Test Scores

It is a common mistake to think the language test an isolated factor in the CRS points breakdown. In fact, a good language test score has a multiplier effect on a candidate’s CRS score. It applies across three of the four main factors – Human Capital, Spouse/Common-Law Partner and Skills Transferability.

A brief explanation of language testing is due here. To demonstrate competence in English, the IRCC accepts the English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). In the former, a candidate must take the General Training test, and in the latter, the General Test. For French, the IRCC accepts Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada). As these tests each employ their unique scoring systems, the IRCC then translates them into a common standard called the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

Based on the CLB, candidates stand to earn additional points on each of the three main factors listed above. Under Human Capital, a candidate with a CLB of 10 or more can earn 32 points per ability tested. The scores max out at 128 points for an applicant with a spouse, and 136 for a single candidate. Under Skills Transferability, a candidate with CLB 7 can earn up to 25 points depending on their educational level. However, a candidate with CLB 9 or more can earn up to 50 points. To illustrate the point further, a candidate with a post-secondary degree of one year or longer will get 13 points if the CLB is 7. On the other hand, a candidate with the same education will get 25 points if the CLB is 9 or more. On top of this, a spouse or common-law partner can also contribute points with their language proficiency. However, a spouse/partner with CLB 5 can only contribute a maximum of 5 points, while a spouse/partner with CLB 9 can contribute 20 points.

Being able to communicate in one of Canada’s official languages helps prospective immigrants to reach their full potential in their new home. It goes without saying that the skills a candidate earns by improving their language tests will stay with them throughout their professional lives.

These language certifications come with an expiry date, so candidates must make sure their results are valid for the duration their Express Entry application stays active. If the certification expires, candidates must speedily retake the test and update their scores on their Express Entry profiles.

Canadian Education

With many of its universities and colleges ranking highly in the world, Canada is a prime destination for higher education. Canada tries to retain much of that talent pool by incentivizing them to apply for Permanent Residence. In his mandate letter addressed to Minister Sean Fraser, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listed immigration pathways for international students as a commitment to be delivered. The additional points available to candidates with Canadian education is one of the many ways this policy is manifested.

A Study Permit, the document international students receive to enrol in a Canadian education institution, goes hand in hand with the Post Graduate Work Permit. The latter allows international students to transition into a job in their field of study and gather Canadian work experience. In order to be eligible, international students must complete a Diploma or Degree of eight months minimum duration at a Designated Learning Institution.

Taken in combination, a candidate with Canadian education stands to gain additional points for their Canadian education, Canadian work experience and CLB level. For instance, a candidate with a Bachelor’s Degree receives 112 points (accompanied by a spouse). If that candidate received his or her education in Canada and acquired a year’s Canadian experience, there would be 13 additional points.

Bear in mind that Canadian work experience also opens the candidate to apply through the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs targeting international students.

Advanced Education

As competition in the Express Entry pool intensifies, candidates may find themselves waiting for cut-off scores to lower or for a Provincial Nominee Program to open. While gathering foreign work experience improves a candidate’s scores, the maximum CRS points available are capped at three-year’s experience. Completing further education that has Canadian equivalency is another effective means of scoring additional points.

For instance, a candidate with a Bachelor’s Degree (minimum three years) will receive 112 points. If that candidate acquires another Certificate, Diploma or Degree, points will increase to 119. A Master’s Degree will get the candidate 126 points, while a PhD will get 140. A similar incremental scoring system applies to the candidate’s accompanying spouse, though it caps out at 10 points maximum. Combined with foreign work experience, these additional points could prove decisive for a candidate in the Express Entry pool.

Apply Early

For those who seek a new life in a peaceful new home with vibrant opportunities, Canada opens many doors. While working towards maximizing CRS scores, candidates must also apply early. If pushed out of the optimal age bracket, candidates might find themselves losing some of those hard earned points. In order to get more advice tailored to your individual circumstances, book a consultation with one of our immigration consultants.

The information in this blog is not to be interpreted or construed as legal advice. Everyone’s immigration goals, objectives and situations are different. Please contact us to speak to a consultant for advice.

About Us

Canada By Choice is a Canadian Immigration Firm based in Windsor, Ontario. Founded in 2007, Canada By Choice Immigration is widely considered as one of the most respected immigration firms in our region. We have earned our reputation as a world class firm by providing dedication and personalized service to each and every unique case before us.

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How To Improve Your CRS Score

Anna Rue

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