The Comprehensive Ranking System ranks eligible applicants to enter Canada via Express Entry. Points are awarded in age level of education, Professional Language Proficiency, Second Official Language, and Canadian work experience. Improve your CRS score for better eligibility status.
The Comprehensive Ranking System Score is utilized in each draw of Express Entry.
It would be best if you determined your CRS score before making an application in Express Entry to determine your eligibility. If you’re interested in improving your CRS score to be selected as a participant in one of the Express Entry draws, there are many ways! Achieving higher CRS scores is the most effective way to increase your invitation odds. Discover the best eight steps for improving Your CRS Score.
What Is Canada CRS Score?
In each of the sections below, several points are given. The amount of points you can earn is based on your age, degree of education, and whether you are in an adult conjoint or common-law relationship.
Five Subsections of Core Factors: The following five subsections are the most fundamental, key factors that form the bulk of the ranking process for candidates individually.
How to improve your CRS Score
Age
The maximum amount an individual can receive in terms of the age of 100 (with a spouse or common-law partner) and 110 points (without a spouse or common-law partner. To be eligible for the highest number of points for each category, you must be within the age range between 20 and 29 years old.
The minimum amount of points given for age applies to those under 17 years old or older than 45 (both zero points). For those between 17, 45, and over, the number of points awarded differs throughout the spectrum of age and peaks at 20-29. To determine which age group you are in, check out the complete table below.
Level of Education
The maximum you’re granted for your level of education is 150 points. This applies to university-level credentials up to the Doctoral level. This is with or without a spouse or common-law partner (except for spouses, you’ll be awarded 140 points). Let’s take a look at how issues are different for people who don’t have spouses or common-law partners (for those who have spouses, points are awarded slightly smaller)
- A little less than high school equivalent less than secondary or high school equivalent
- Secondary school or equivalent high school 30 points
- A post-secondary credential for one year of 90 points
- Two-year post-secondary degree credential with a score of 98 points.
- Certification for post-secondary programs of 3plus years 120 points
- Two or more post-secondary qualifications, at least one lasting 3or more years 128 points
- A master’s degree from a university or entry-to-practice degree for a job,) identified as NOC Level A as well as b) requires a license from the provincial regulator 135 points
- The University-level credential is at the Doctoral level of 150 points.
Related: How To Write A Scholarship Letter Of Intent (with PDF Samples)
Official Language Proficiency
Language abilities are divided into four categories: writing, reading, and talking. The maximum points given for each of these subcategories is either 32 (with a spouse or common-law partner) or 34 (without a spouse or common-law partner).
Thus, when all of these subcategories are added together, the maximum amount of points an individual could be given is 128 (with a spouse or common-law spouse) and 136 (without a Common-law or spouse).
Points are awarded per CLB level, and those who have CLB 4 or less are awarded zero points. People who have reached CLB 10 or more receive the highest number of issues, 32/34 (depending on whether they are a spouse or a common-law partner).
Second Official Language
For proficiency in a second official language, The subcategories are the same as the above, and the maximum number of points is 22/24. You will receive six points for each category in addition to the total amount of points being set at 22 if you are either a spouse or common-law partner (you are awarded the maximum amount of points, 24 even if you don’t).
Canadian Work Experience
The maximum number of points you can receive in exchange for Canadian job experience is (with the spouse/common-law companion) and 80 (without the spouse or common-law member) in five or more years. Let’s look at how points are calculated in the absence of the presence of a spouse or common-law partner:
- In less than a year: zero points
- One year 40 points
- Two years 53 points
- Three years 64 points
- The 4th year: 72 points
- Five years or older, five years or more: 80 points
This brings us to the end of this section. The maximum amount of points you can earn for this section is: 460 points (with the spouse/common-law member) or 500 points (without any spouse/common-law partner)
Common law or Spouse circumstances (if relevant)
We’re aware that there aren’t all spouses or common-law partners. So If this isn’t the case for you, you can ignore the sections below wholly. If it does, take a look at the following areas:
Spouse / Common-Law Partner’s Level Of Education
The points that are awarded in this category vary from 0 to 10. The maximum-level classes are Master’s Degree university level and university-credential at Doctoral level, both 10 points. Refer to your CIC table to determine where your spouse or common-law partner ranks.
Spouse / Common-Law Partner’s Official Languages Proficiency
Also, the official languages proficiency section is divided into four distinct categories: writing, reading, and talking. Each subcategory can be awarded to your spouse, or your common-law partner could receive up to five points with a maximum score of 20 points.
Spouse / Common-Law Partner’s Canadian Work Experience
The maximum amount of points your spouse or common-law partner can receive in this section is 10 points. This applies to five years of more Canadian working experience. The points you are awarded are:
- A year less: zero points
- 1 year 5 points
- 2 years 7 points
- 3 years 8 points
- 4 years 9 points
- 5+ years 10 points
The maximum number of points that your spouse or common-law partner can score in this portion is 40, bringing your total to 500 points (core/human capital factors plus spouse/common-law factor for partners).
How else to improve your CRS Score
Skill Transferability Factors
The final section of Express Entry 2015’s CRS criteria covers your education level, Canadian work experience, overseas work experience, and the necessary qualifications to work in trades. Some of these sections consider your language proficiency to improve your total score.
The first section for transferability of skills in education is based on two elements. This includes two: the first is a) an undergraduate degree accompanied by an excellent proficiency in the official language and the second) an advanced degree with Canadian job experience. The maximum score you can earn in this section can be 100 points (max of 50 points per section) and will vary based on your education level.
Education (With A Post-Secondary Degree With Good Official Language Proficiency)
To earn points for proficiency in a language, you must demonstrate at least a CLB 7 or greater for your language proficiency, and your score will be determined by your degree of education. To score the maximum of 50 points, you need to have at least a CLB 9 or greater to demonstrate your language proficiency and the highest level in education (two or more post-secondary education programs with qualifications, with at least one lasting three years or more).
Education (With A Post-Secondary Degree And Canadian Work Experience)
This section considers your level of education and the amount of Canadian work experience (either one year or two years or more of experience in the workplace). The maximum score you can earn in this section is 50 points.
Foreign Work Experience (With Official Language Proficiency)
The highest you can score for work experience in foreign countries is 50 points. However, it also considers the level of your proficiency in English. Similar to the education section, you need to have the ability to speak CLB 9 or higher to earn the highest number of points. This is in addition to three or more years of experience in foreign employment.
Canadian Work Experience + Foreign Work Experience
To earn the maximum of 50 points, you must have attained the entire three years of work experience abroad (like the previous section) and the maximum of 2plus years of Canadian working experience.
Certification Of Qualifications (Applies To Trade Occupations) (With Official Language Proficiency)
If you possess a certificate of achievement, accompanied by a CLB score of 5+ on all your first officially recognized language abilities (with at least one below 7), You will receive 25 points. A maximum of 50 points are awarded when you possess a certificate of achievement accompanied by a CLB 7+ in the four official languages of your first capabilities.
The subtotal for this section is 600 points.
- Arranged employment
- Nominations for provincial or territorial offices
The maximum amount you are given using the Express Entry 2015 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is 1200 points.