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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?
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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:
Another extra point earner if your French language abilities. You can get a maximum of 50 additional points:
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
