Canada's CRS score system: Everything you need to know to get PR. And how to calculate it?
- Dr Robin
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Canada's Express Entry system is a popular pathway for skilled immigrants seeking permanent residency.One of the most important factors in the immigration process is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which determines who gets an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. In this guide, we’ll break it down in simple terms, explain how points are calculated, and give you tips to improve your score.
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What is the CRS Score?
The CRS score is a points-based system that ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses this score to decide who gets invited to apply for permanent residency (PR).
Your CRS score is based on factors like: ✅ Age ✅ Education ✅ Work experience ✅ Language skills ✅ Provincial nominations
The maximum possible score is 1,200 points, and those with the highest scores get selected in regular Express Entry draws.
How is the CRS Score Calculated?
Your score is made up of different sections. Let’s break them down.
1. Core/Human Capital Factors (Up to 600 points)
These are the most important factors:
Age (Up to 110 points) – Best scores go to those between 20-29 years old. Points start decreasing after 30.
Education (Up to 150 points) – Higher education levels (like Master’s or PhD) get more points.
Language Proficiency (Up to 160 points) – Your IELTS or TEF (French test) scores matter. Higher scores mean more points.
Canadian Work Experience (Up to 80 points) – More years of skilled work in Canada = higher points.
2. Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors (Up to 40 points)
If you're applying with a partner, their education, language skills, and work experience can add points to your profile.
3. Skill Transferability Factors (Up to 100 points)
If you have strong language skills AND good education, you get extra points.
If you have foreign work experience and good language skills, that also boosts your score.
4. Additional Factors (Up to 600 points)
These can make a big difference in your score:
Provincial Nomination (600 points) – If a province nominates you, you automatically get a huge boost!
Canadian Education (Up to 30 points) – Studying in Canada gives extra points.
French Language Skills (Up to 50 points) – If you’re bilingual, you get a bonus.
Siblings in Canada (15 points) – If you have a brother or sister in Canada, you gain extra points.
Strategies to Improve Your CRS Score:
Enhancing your CRS score can significantly increase your chances of receiving an ITA.
Consider the following strategies:
Enhance Language Proficiency: Retake language tests to achieve higher CLB levels.The magic number for IELTS test is 7,7,7,8 which can significantly boost your score. Visit https://www.atomicielts.net/ielts to access a free IELTS lesson. In addition to that French can yield additional points as well.
Pursue Further Education: Obtaining additional educational qualifications or certifications can boost your score. Ensure that foreign credentials are assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm their equivalency to Canadian standards.
Gain Additional Work Experience: Accumulating more years of skilled work experience, particularly within Canada, can enhance your score.
Secure a Provincial Nomination: Research and apply to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that align with your skills and experience. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score.
Leverage Spousal Factors: If applicable, have your spouse or common-law partner undertake language tests and pursue educational advancements to contribute additional points to your overall score.
Stay Informed and Update Your Profile: Regularly update your Express Entry profile with new qualifications, work experience, or language test results. Monitoring CRS cut-off trends can help you strategize effectively, and increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
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