The Express Entry system is a popular immigration pathway for skilled workers seeking to obtain Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada. At the heart of this system is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which determines a candidate’s eligibility and ranking within the Express Entry pool. This blog will provide an in-depth look at what Express Entry is, how the CRS impacts your application, and a step-by-step guide on how to calculate your CRS points for Express Entry. We’ll also explain why partnering with an experienced agency like GCI Visa can significantly boost your chances of success.
What is Express Entry?
Canada Express Entry is an online immigration application system used by the Canadian government to manage and process applications for three main federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for any of these programs can create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool of candidates. Once in the pool, candidates are ranked against each other based on their CRS scores. Regular Express Entry draws are held, and candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for PR.
How CRS Affects Your Application in Express Entry
The CRS is a points-based system that assesses and scores candidates in the Express Entry pool based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and more. The higher your CRS score, the better your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residency.
Key Factors in CRS Calculation:
- Age: Younger candidates typically score higher, with the maximum points awarded to those aged 20-29.
- Education: Higher education levels, such as a Master’s degree or PhD, result in more CRS points.
- Language Proficiency: Strong language skills in English and/or French can significantly boost your CRS score.
- Work Experience: Both Canadian and foreign work experience are taken into account, with Canadian experience being highly valued.
- Additional Factors: Factors like having a valid job offer, Canadian education, a sibling in Canada, or a provincial nomination can add substantial points to your CRS score.
The CRS score ultimately determines whether you will receive an ITA in one of the regular Express Entry draws. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to calculate your CRS score accurately and identify ways to improve it.
How To Calculate CRS Points for Express Entry
Calculating your CRS points involves assessing your profile across the various factors that make up the Comprehensive Ranking System. Below is a detailed guide on how to calculate CRS points for Express Entry.
1. Core/Human Capital Factors (Up to 500 Points)
These factors include age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
- Age: Maximum of 110 points (if you are without a spouse) or 100 points (if you are with a spouse).
Example: If you are 28 years old, you may receive 100-110 points depending on whether you have a spouse.
- Education: Maximum of 150 points.
Example: A Master’s degree could give you up to 135 points, while a PhD could earn you 150 points.
- Language Proficiency: Maximum of 136 points (first official language) and 24 points (second official language).
Example: Scoring CLB 9 in all four English language abilities (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) could earn you 124-136 points.
- Canadian Work Experience: Maximum of 80 points.
Example: One year of Canadian work experience might give you 40 points.
2. Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors (Up to 40 Points)
If applicable, your spouse’s education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience can contribute to your overall CRS score.
- Spouse's Education: Maximum of 10 points.
Example: A spouse with a Bachelor’s degree might contribute 8-10 points.
- Spouse's Language Proficiency: Maximum of 20 points.
Example: If your spouse scores CLB 9 in all English language abilities, you may receive an additional 16-20 points.
- Spouse's Canadian Work Experience: Maximum of 10 points.
Example: If your spouse has one year of Canadian work experience, you could earn up to 10 points.
3. Skill Transferability Factors (Up to 100 Points)
This category rewards candidates who have a combination of education, work experience, and language proficiency.
- Education and Language Proficiency: Maximum of 50 points.
Example: A Master’s degree combined with strong language scores (CLB 9+) can earn you up to 50 points.
- Foreign Work Experience and Language Proficiency: Maximum of 50 points.
Example: Three years of foreign work experience combined with strong language scores could add up to 50 points.
4. Additional Factors (Up to 600 Points)
These factors can significantly boost your CRS score.
- Provincial Nomination: 600 points.
Example: Receiving a provincial nomination will automatically add 600 points to your CRS score, almost guaranteeing an ITA.
- Valid Job Offer: 50-200 points, depending on the job type.
- Canadian Education: 15-30 points.
- French Language Proficiency: 15-30 points.
- Sibling in Canada: 15 points.
Example of CRS Calculation
Let’s consider a sample profile to demonstrate CRS calculation:
- Age: 29 years old (110 points)
- Education: Master’s degree (135 points)
- Language Proficiency: CLB 9 in all abilities (124 points)
- Canadian Work Experience: 1 year (40 points)
- Spouse's Education: Bachelor’s degree (8 points)
- Skill Transferability (Education + Language): 50 points
- No Additional Factors
Total CRS Score = 110 (Age) + 135 (Education) + 124 (Language) + 40 (Canadian Work Experience) + 8 (Spouse’s Education) + 50 (Skill Transferability) = 467 Points
In this example, the candidate would have a CRS score of 467, which could be competitive depending on the latest Express Entry draw cutoffs.
Also Read: Latest CRS Score in Canada
Calculating your CRS points for Express Entry is a critical step in your journey towards Canadian Permanent Residency. By understanding how each factor contributes to your CRS score, you can take strategic actions to improve your score and enhance your chances of receiving an ITA.
For those looking to maximize their CRS score and navigate the complexities of the Express Entry system, partnering with an experienced Canadian immigration consulting agency can make all the difference.
GCI Visa is one of the best agencies to apply for PR in Canada, offering expert guidance and personalized services to help you achieve your immigration goals. With GCI Visa by your side, you can confidently navigate the Express Entry process and improve your chances of success.
Contact
- Phone: +1778 928 2424
- Email: info@gcivisa.com
- Website: https://gcivisa.com/