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How can I improve my Express Entry CRS score?

Good scores at the languages tests are key to your success
Home > Work in Canada > Permanent Residency > Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide > How can I improve my Express Entry CRS score?
Guy running in an airport in Canada, improving his score (CRS)
Express Entry is an increasingly competitive system. Only applicants with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are invited to apply to become permanent residents.

Candidates have to then complete and submit their online application. Most applications are processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within six months.
This article summarizes how a candidate, who has been waiting in the pool for some time, can boost its rank and its CRS points, and ultimately receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Language proficiency

Language tests are high points earners. You could see a significant rise in your CRS points with higher language scores. So it is wise to practice and give your best for the language tests.

You need to differentiate two point earners:
​
  • First, you will get more CRS language points with a better Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) result. For example, if you are single, when you improve your score first language score from CLB 7 to 9 in each ability, you will get 14 points per ability, so 14 x 4 = 56 more points in total.
 
  • Second, you could get 100 additional points from skill transferability factors, almost guaranteeing you to be drawn from the pool. For candidates in the Federal Skilled Workers program (that do not have Canadian work experience), scoring a CLB 9 in all four language abilities is what could make you stand out:
    • ​​If you have at least CLB 9 in all four abilities, and a Master's degree (which theoretically had to obtain a Bachelors first that is usually 4 years long), you will get an additional 50 points. This is why it is extremely important to assess all your credentials with an ECA and not just your highest degree (check here for the ECA page), it will not cost you more money if you do it in one take.
    • If you have at least CLB 9 in all four abilities, and 3 years of non-Canadian work experience, you will get an additional 50 points.

Another extra point earner if your French language abilities. You can get a maximum of 50 additional points:
  • 50 points if you get CLB 7 in French and CLB 5 in English (in all abilities), or
  • 25 points if you get CLB 7 in French and less than CLB 5 in English, or no English test results at all.

Education Points

For the Canada Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, you can earn up to 230 additional points if you provide educational credentials:
​
  • You can earn 15 or 30 points if your credential is Canadian. 15 points if one or two years long and 30 points if three or more years long.
 
  • You can earn up to 150 points if you have a non-Canadian credential and provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The number of points depends on your highest level of education.
 
  • You can earn up to 50 additional points if you combine your education with Canadian work experience or with your language proficiency.

Non-Canadian work experience Points

If you have under 3 years of work experience outside Canada, wait until you get to your 3-year work anniversary. You will receive additional points under the skill transferability point section. 

If you have CLB 9 on all language abilities, and 2 years and 9 months of non-Canadian work experience, you just wait 3 more months, and you will add 25 additional points to your CRS score (you go from 25 points to 50 points). 

Spouse/Partner Points

You need to be very strategic when choosing who will be the principal applicant in the couple. We would recommend that each person in the couple calculates its score and see which combination gets the couple the maximum points. 

If for example, the spouse is 27 years old, and the principal applicant has 35 years, it might be more beneficial for the spouse to be the principal applicant as he/she will get maximum points for age.  

Job Offer Points

If you succeed in finding a job offer that is valid, you will be rewarded with a 50 or 200 points bump in your CRS score depending on its NOC code:
  • 200 points if the job offer is under NOC TEER 0, Major Group 00, or
  • 50 points for any other NOC TEER 0 (other than Major Group 00), 1, 2 or 3.
​*​ Major Group 00 of the NOC (Legislative and senior managers) corresponds to the 6 NOC codes, from 00010 to 00015

Provincial Nominee Programs

If you have no other choice, and need an additional 600 points, you have to get to know the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

If interested, you will need to apply for a province or territory, which takes more time, energy and money. For Ontario for example, you might need to wait for at least 2 months to get your Nomination, and  pay $1,500. However, if you feel like there is no possibility for you to get to the CRS cutoff, this might be your only way to get an Invitation to Apply. 

​Check out which PNPs are currently open here.
What's next?
Express Entry Step-by-Step Guide
​Check out our 10-step Guide to succeed in your PR application!
Map of Canada with Provincial Nominee Programs PNP
Check our Live PNP Monitor to find out which PNPs are open!
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  • Home
  • Accueil
  • Services
    • Order GCMS Notes
  • Services
    • Commander Notes GCMS
  • Work
    • Permanent Residence >
      • Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide
      • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
      • Family Sponsorship
      • Atlantic Immigration Program
      • Start-up Visa Program
      • Self-Employed Persons Program
    • Temporary Work Permits >
      • Work Permit Application
      • International Experience Canada (IEC)
      • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
      • Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
      • Free Trade Agreement Business People
  • Travailler
    • Résidence Permanente >
      • Entrée Express : Le Guide Ultime
      • Programme des Candidats des Provinces (PCP)
      • Parrainage Familial
      • Programme d’Immigration au Canada Atlantique
      • Visa pour Démarrage d'Entreprise
      • Programme des Travailleurs Autonomes
    • Permis de Travail Temporaires >
      • Demande d'un Permis de Travail
      • Expérience Internationale Canada (EIC)
      • Permis de Travail Ouvert Transitoire (PTOT)
      • Programme des Travailleurs Agricoles Saisonniers (PTAS)
      • Gens d'Affaires des Accords de Libre-Echange
  • Study
    • Study Permit
    • Student Direct Stream (SDS)
    • Working with a Study Permit
    • Studying in Quebec
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
    • Work as a co-op Student or Intern
    • Extend your Study Permit
  • Etudier
    • Permis d'Etudes
    • Volet Direct pour les Etudes (VDE)
    • Travailler avec un Permis d'Etudes
    • Etudier au Québec
    • Permis de Travail Post-Diplôme (PTPD)
    • Travailler en tant que Stagiaire
    • Proroger votre Permis d'Etudes
  • Visit
    • Do you need a visitor visa?
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
    • Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor)
    • Super Visa
  • Visiter
    • Avez-vous besoin d'un visa?
    • Autorisation de Voyage Electronique (AVE)
    • Visa de Résident Temporaire (Visiteur)
    • Super Visa
  • Prepare
    • Major Canadian Cities Guide >
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Canadian Education System
    • Canadian Healthcare System
    • Transportation Guide
    • Pre-Arrival To-Do List
    • Money Transfer Guide
    • Bringing your cat, dog, or other pets
  • Préparer
    • Guide des Principales Villes Canadiennes >
      • Montréal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Système Educatif Canadien
    • Système de Santé Canadien
    • Guide des Moyens de Transport
    • Liste "A ne pas Oublier" avant votre Départ
    • Guide du Transfert d'Argent
    • Amener votre chat, chien ou autres animaux
  • Living
    • Your First Week >
      • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • Permanent Resident (PR) Card
      • Provincial Health Insurance Card
      • Canadian Banking Guide
      • Accommodation Guide
      • Cell Phone Carriers Guide
      • Understanding Sales Taxes in each Province and Territory
    • How to get a Driver's Licence
    • Income Tax Returns Filings
    • Free & Cheap Things To Do in ... >
      • Vancouver
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      • Toronto
  • S'établir
    • Votre Première Semaine >
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      • Carte de Résident Permanent (RP) Canadienne
      • Carte d'Assurance Maladie Provinciale
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      • Comprendre les Taxes de Vente dans chaque Province et Territoire
    • Obtenir un Permis de Conduire
    • Déclaration de revenus
    • Activités Gratuites à Faire à ... >
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