CRS Score – Tips To Increase Canada Express Entry
Canada Express Entry immigration system is the fastest and most affordable way to Canadian Permanent Residence (PR), but highly competitive. While many applicants can create an Express Entry profile and get a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and wait for an invitation to apply (ITA) to be issued to apply for the Canadian PR, the number of ITA issued is still limited, and only those candidates with the highest CRS score receives an ITA.
What if my CRS score is low?
Since you must compete in the Express Entry pool to get ITA, knowing the various ways to increase your CRS score is essential. You can improve your CRS score if you have already submitted your Express Entry profile and your CRS score is lower than in demand.
ARNIKA believes this is the wrong direction if you have had an active Express Entry profile for a long time and still waiting to receive an ITA in each upcoming draw. It would be best if you actively tried to improve your CRS points to get an ITA for the next round of invitations rather than waiting for the points to drop. But how can you increase your CRS score?
Luckily, the following extensive guide will help you identify the best options for increasing your total CRS score and becoming eligible for the selection in one of the subsequent Express Entry draws.
Although some improvements will only increase your CRS score to a few points, this slight increase could make a massive difference. On the other hand, some improvements can bring you as many as 600 additional points in your total CRS score, guaranteeing you will receive an ITA in the next draw from the Express Entry pool. Lastly, check the latest Express Entry draw results page for the lowest CRS score needed to receive an ITA.
How can I raise my CRS above 500?
Here are vital steps to improve your CRS:
1-Retake the IELTS or TEF language tests for bonus points
Retaking the IELTS or TEF language test is usually not the first choice for applicants because of the cost involved, and the outcome is not guaranteed. Did you know that language ability is worth up to 260 CRS scores for a single candidate or 270 points for a couple? If you haven’t maximized your language test scores, this choice could be the key to getting a higher CRS point.
2-Change the principal applicant
Your spouse may be a better candidate than you regarding your CRS point. In addition, your spouse may be eligible for a PNP while your occupation isn’t. So, changing the principal applicant could increase your chances of obtaining a PNP nomination. Indeed, both spouses can create an Express Entry profile independently by naming the other one as the accompanying spouse on their profiles. There is a chance that the individual with the lower score may have work experience in an occupation in demand by a province under a PNP stream so that they could shoot up their CRS score to get ITA. Finally, if both spouses receive ITAs simultaneously, only one permanent residence application should submit.
3-Job offers in Canada
Getting a job offer in Canada may seem unattainable, but it is worth considering. In Canada, many industries are experiencing labour shortages, so they hire foreign nationals with relevant experience. Labour shortages were one of the reasons why the Atlantic Immigration Program Pilot Program was initially introduced and finally became a permanent program. ARNIKA would recommend you seek your job in the Atlantic provinces and contact designated employers in your field of expertise.
Although the advantage of obtaining a job offer is not as significant as before, a job offer in Canada can increase your CRS point by either 50 or 200 points and open the door to Provincial Nominee Programs to end up with 600 points. Thus, the job offer is essential to your CRS points.
The job offer should meet specific requirements and be approved to claim certain points under the job offer received from Canada in the Express Entry System.
4-Education
Education could count for up to 200 CRS scores if you studied only outside of Canada and up to 250 points if you have a post-secondary credential from Canada, along with credible language proficiency test scores and Canadian work experience. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required to obtain CRS points for education obtained outside of Canada.
You can improve your initial education score by getting additional credentials, such as completing another degree or obtaining additional ECAs for existing degrees.
For candidates in the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FST) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), no ECA is required to become qualified for the Express Entry Programs to enter the Express Entry pool.
Even if you hold a one-year diploma completed many years ago and are irrelevant to your current job, you can also claim points in your Express Entry Profile. So, you need an ECA to claim additional points.
Thus, while creating your Express Entry profile, you must mention all the excellent education you have completed. Express Entry System awards points for your education regardless of the field of study and whether the degree or diploma relates to your current work.
5-Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
A provincial nomination program would improve your CRS score by additional 600 points. The points are available to candidates who apply for a Provincial Nominee Program individually or with their Express Entry Profile.
Usually, you will need a job offer or previous studies in the province to be nominated by a province in Canada. Nevertheless, some programs are open to all Express Entry candidates who fit the employment needs of the province under their “express entry streams.” So, you should always be informed about each PNP, check out the eligibility requirements under each PNP stream, and be ready to apply when they open.
This fantastic opportunity could get an additional 600 points towards your CRS points that guarantee to receive an ITA.
6-Second Language
You can get bonus points for French and English language ability in your total CRS score. It would be best if you sat for an approved language test exam for both languages to ensure getting extra points for your language abilities. Plus, there are bonus points available for bilingual candidates.
In addition, for bilingual candidates, bonus points are available in PNP streams prioritizing French speakers. Thus, you won’t miss out on the chance to improve your CRS score when you are competent in both English and French.
Therefore, if you have language proficiency in both languages, do not miss this opportunity to improve your overall CRS score. It would be best to sit for an approved language test such as IELTS for English and TEF for French to claim all the points available for both languages.
7-Get support from an RCIC (optional)
To claim as many scores as possible for your qualifications, you need an Expert RCIC to guide you accordingly, as getting an ITA is not always easy. RCICs are professional and knowledgeable and comprehend the best strategy to optimize your skills, qualifications, Language, and experiences and provide you with the best immigration solutions. So you can get the maximum possible CRS score in your application. If you’re thinking about starting your immigration journey and navigating all your immigration challenges is to have an Expert RCIC on your side.
CRS Score FAQs
It is unlikely that the CRS cutoff will drop below 480 in 2023. The enormous number of applicants that consistently enter the Express Entry pool with high CRS scores is the cause. The number of applicants added to the high score ranges currently exceeds the number of ITAs issued, which is why the CRS cutoff is decreasing.
The Comprehensive Ranking System gives you 600 extra points when you accept a nomination (PNP) (CRS). Your chances of being invited to apply will improve.
However, several PNPs sponsor applicants for the Canada PR visa even with relatively low CRS scores, or below 400 points. For instance, the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program accepts applications from candidates with CRS scores as low as 300.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off will probably be above 500 points when Express Entry drawings for FSW and CEC resume in July 2022. For the early draws, it is anticipated to remain high, but if regular draws are in place, it may finally drop to pre-pandemic levels.
The latest Express Entry draw was #241– February 15, 2023. 699 ITAs were issued to Express Entry Federal-Provincial Nominee Program with a CRS cut-off set at 791 points.
Those in their 20s gain the most points under this factor because Canada favours younger immigrants. There are no age-related points awarded to those over the age of 45. Being older than the target audience does not exclude you from being competitive.
The changes in the make-up of your family will impact your application. If your spouse wants to immigrate to Canada with you, your CRS ratings can alter. Look up the cutoff scores for the draw where you received the ITA.
The ideal age to immigrate to Canada under the Fast Entry system is between 20 and 29. If you apply with your spouse, you will receive 100 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points; if you apply alone, you will receive 110 CRS points.
The applicant’s language proficiency, education, work experience, and age all significantly influence the CRS points awarded. Additional points are available for having a sibling living in Canada, speaking fluent French, getting a job offer there, and getting nominated by a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
- Get a genuine job offer from Canada
- Get a nomination (Provincial Nominee Programs).
- Finish a different course of study.
- Take the language exam again.
- Review all your prior academic achievements.
- Sixth Language.
- Modify the primary applicant
- Increase professional experience.
- A Canadian sibling.
A legitimate job offer via Fast Entry will boost your ranking in the Comprehensive Ranking System. Even though it is an open work permit, a work permit by itself does not constitute a job offer. Provide the LMIA number while creating your Express Entry profile to demonstrate that you have a legitimate employment offer.
If you have a legitimate job offer in a skilled occupation, you are eligible for the 50-point award. A job offer is deemed legitimate by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if it involves full-time, ongoing compensation.
If necessary, your employer must submit an LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada. Offers of employment accepted using Express Entry are worth an additional 50 or 200 CRS points.
A valid job offer through Express Entry is worth either 50 or 200 additional CRS points, and arranged employment is worth 15 points on the FSW selection factors.
Only which occupations are eligible for points under NOC 2021, not how the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) or Federal Skilled Worker Program selection factor points are computed.
- Get a job offer from a company in Canada.
- Get a provincial nomination for an additional 600 points.
- Make a sensible choice for the main applicant.
- Retake the language exam to earn a higher grade. TEF Canada, TCF Canada, CELPIP, IELTS
- Develop your second language skills.
- Have all your international credentials evaluated.
- Study in Canada.
