Canada selects applicants on the point-based system. Those candidates who meet the minimum CRS score are selected for immigration through the Express Entry draw. Here let us see how you can improve your CRS score.
What are the Express Entry Draws?
The IRCC announces express Entry draws after estimating the average score of the applicants in the Express Entry pool. These candidates are choosen from the express entry pool to meet the point score requirement. The benchmark score for eligibility is set through CRS Score, which ideally changes after every two weeks. The CRS score calculation is based on three factors-
- Human Core Capital – 500 points
- Skill Transferability – 100 points
- Bonus points – 600 Points
The calculation of Human core capital Points is based on Age, Language Proficiency, Education, and Work Experience.
What All is Comprehensive Ranking System Score (CRS Score)?
As mentioned earlier, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a tool used to rank when applying for permanent residence through the Express Entry System. You can apply through one of Canada’s three immigration programs.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program;
- Federal Skilled Trade Program;
- Canada experience class
Each program has its own set of criteria that must be met in order to qualify.
To qualify, it is important to note that training federal skilled workers requires at least 67 points out of a maximum of 100 points. This is a different score than CRS and is the first assessment of your ability to sign up for this program. Once this is determined, the points will be evaluated according to the CRS.
The Canadian Express Entry Lottery is so popular that it means you’re going to have some competition. The higher the CRS score, the more likely you are to be selected to receive a permanent resident ITA in Canada.
To earn an ITA, you must achieve a score equal to or higher than the CRS cutoff score published every other week when the Express Entry lottery is held. This score varies from lottery to lottery and is based on the CRS scores of everyone in the lottery pool. The higher the average draw pool cutoff value, the higher the CRS cutoff value. Therefore, it is very important to get the highest possible score.
However, before we dive into how to maximize your CRS score, let’s take a closer look at how to calculate CRS points.
How to Calculate Canada Express Entry Points?
Let us consider the following scenario. We have completed a free assessment to determine your eligibility for permanent immigration to Canada through one of the Express Entry programs. You have now profiled your Express Entry and received the CRS score you have been awarded, and now you are waiting for the right time to see when your score will drop, and finally, your application invitation.
Generally speaking, this is what most candidates considering moving to Canada do. They only get an average CRS score and are unaware that it is entirely wrong unless the score is high enough to qualify for the invitation.
If you’re also pessimistic about your Express Entry profile, don’t be surprised if you don’t receive an invitation, no matter how many Express Entry you make each month. Also, unless you do your best to raise the score, you may not get all points you are justified for.
Ways to Improve your CRS Score
A decent CRS score can make you eligible for more options for the PR status. Meet the CRS core is step one towards selecting Canadian PR status.
There are ways to increase CRS points, and some of the ways of doing so you can find below.
- Education: Additional points for Educational Qualification get added in CRS, and a Postgraduate degree or diploma has more points than a graduation degree. This is a longer route, but the appellant can increase the education by taking up some additional degrees and getting more points in the ECA.
- Work experience: You can work for a few more years and get your work experience for six years or more to achieve the highest score for work experience.
- Language Proficiency: High scores in IELTS Language is a good way of scoring high points and increasing the eligibility chances. This is the most popular way of improving the CRS score. Next, the candidate can retake the IELTS test and aim for a high IELTS score. Higher the IELTS score better are the chances of selection
- Take up another official Language: There are extra points for those candidates who know Canada’s official languages. For example, if you know English, you can learn French for higher points.
- Provincial Nominee Program(PNP): It is an alternative method of getting selected for Canada PR. Due to the pandemic situation, there have been many program-specific draws, which means many PNP-specific draws. Therefore, the provincial nomination allots applicants with additional 600 points, thereby helping in improving the CRS score for the subsequent express entry draw.
So far, the year 2021 and 2022 has seen only program-specific draws for Canadian immigration. From the pandemic’s start, The IRCC has aimed to invite-only applicants already living in Canada. This way, the travel will be less, and the IRC will also meet its immigration. Targets. Thus, if you have a nomination or Canadian work experience on your side, then this is the best time for you to relocate to Canada in a program-specific draw.
FAQ’s: Some CRS Score Facts You Should Know
What is a Good CRS Score?
The average CRS score for applicants who participated in the Express Entry Draw Pool in 2019 ranged from 350 to 499, which does not mean that they automatically received the ITA. The average CRS cutoff score was between 439 and 456, averaging about 461.
In 2020, the average CRS cutoff score increased slightly to about 551. The CRS score goes up and down on a regular basis, so it’s very important that you have the opportunity to raise your CRS score whenever you have the opportunity. Anything above 470 CRS points is a good score, but this depends on the cutoff score for a particular draw pool and it doesn’t guarantee to receive an ITA.
What is the minimum CRS score required to obtain Permanent Resident (PR) status in Canada?
Again, this depends on the cutoff score of the current draw pool, I think the higher the score, the better, but if the score is above 500, the next draw should be fine.
What if my CRS score is less than 400?
There are several ways to improve your CRS score, but if you want to make sure you get an ITA, getting a PN is the best way to do it. There is an additional value of 600 points. In other words, you will almost certainly get an ITA for permanent residence in Canada.
