Canada uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate and score immigration candidates who want to immigrate through one of the federal economic programs managed under Express Entry. Introduced in 2015, the CRS is a points-based system that ranks candidates based on age, education, work experience and language ability.
The CRS plays a pivotal role in Express Entry, Canada’s main pathway for economic immigration. During each Express Entry draw, the government invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residency. Therefore, understanding how the CRS works is key for candidates who want to maximize their profile and chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Comprehensive Ranking System, including:
- What the CRS is and how it operates
- How points are allocated across different factors
- What score is needed to be competitive
- Tips and strategies to improve your CRS ranking
A high CRS score is one of the best ways to achieve Canadian immigration dreams. Read on to learn how this vital system works and how you can optimize your score.
What is the Comprehensive Ranking System in Canada?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the scoring system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to evaluate and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool, such as international students who study abroad in Canada or skilled employees who want to work overseas.
Introduced in January 2015, the CRS replaced the old first-come, first-served model under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Now, the CRS acts as a dynamic points system that ranks candidates based on their likelihood to economically establish themselves in Canada.
The CRS evaluates candidates on core factors as follows:
- Age
- Level of education
- Official language proficiency in English and/or French
- Canadian work experience
Additional points are also awarded for:
- A spouse or common-law partner’s skills and qualifications
- Skill transferability like foreign work experience
- Other criteria like a job offer or Canadian education
In each Express Entry draw, the highest-scoring candidates are issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. This competitive system ensures Canada selects immigrants who are most likely to thrive and meet the country’s economic needs.
How Does the Comprehensive Ranking System Work?
The Comprehensive Ranking System is a points-based system that awards candidates up to 1,200 points based on their profile. The CRS thoroughly evaluates candidates across four main sections:
Core/Human Capital Factors (maximum 500 points)
This section focuses on the candidate’s core human capital including age, education, languages, and Canadian work experience. There is a maximum of 500 points available for single applicants.
The principal applicant can score up to 460 points for candidates with a spouse or common-law partner. The remaining 40 points are awarded based on the spouse’s education, language skills, and Canadian work experience.
Some key point ranges under core factors:
- Age: 100 points max for candidates with spouses, 110 points max for single candidates. Younger applicants gain more points.
- Education: 150 points max. More points for higher credentials like master’s and doctoral degrees.
- Languages: 136 points max for single applicants’ first language, 128 max for married applicants’ first language. More points for higher proficiency.
- Canadian work experience: 80 points max for single applicants, 70 points max for married applicants. More points for more years of skilled experience.
Spouse Factors (maximum 40 points)
If the candidate has an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, they can contribute additional points based on their education, official language proficiency, and any Canadian work experience.
The spouse can score up to:
- 10 points for education credentials
- 20 points for language ability in English and/or French
- 10 points for Canadian work experience
Including spouse points is essential for maximizing a candidate’s CRS score.
Skill Transferability Factors (maximum 100 points)
This section evaluates combinations of a candidate’s skills and qualifications, awarding up to 100 total points.
Points are awarded for skill combinations like:
- Foreign work experience + strong English and/or French skills (up to 50 points)
- Canadian work experience + post-secondary education credential (up to 50 points)
- Certificate of qualification in a skilled trade + strong English and/or French skills (up to 50 points)
There are capped maximums within this section. Candidates can only claim certain combinations.
Additional Factors (maximum 600 points)
This final section gives candidates essential opportunities to increase their scores substantially. Extra points are awarded for:
- Provincial Nomination – 600 points
- Qualifying job offer – 200 points max
- Canadian education credentials – 15-30 points
- Strong French language skills – up to 100 points
- Sibling in Canada – 15 points
IRCC sets a minimum CRS cut-off score in each biweekly Express Entry draw and issues Invitations to Apply to candidates above that score. This cut-off fluctuates over time based on the pool size and the number of ITAs issued in a draw.
Understanding how to maximize points in each section is key to achieving a high ranking.
Core Human Capital Factors
Let’s take a closer look at how the maximum 500 points for core human capital factors are distributed:
Age (maximum 110 points)
Younger candidates receive more points based on their age on the day their profile enters the pool:
- 17 or less: 0 points
- 18: 99 points
- 19: 105 points
- 20-29 years old: 110 points
- 30: 105 points
- 35: 77 points
- 40: 50 points
- 45 or older: 0 points
Level of Education (maximum 150 points)
Points are based on the highest level of education completed by the candidate:
- Less than high school: 0 points
- High school diploma: 30 points
- 1-year post-secondary program: 90 points
- 2-year post-secondary program: 98 points
- Bachelor’s degree: 120 points
- Master’s degree: 135 points
- Doctoral degree: 150 points
Canada requires an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to verify equivalency for foreign education. The ECA confirms the Canadian credential that matches the candidate’s completed foreign education.
Official Languages Proficiency (maximum 136 points)
Proficiency in English and/or French is evaluated through standardized language tests. Points are awarded based on ability in reading, writing, speaking and listening in each language:
- CLB 4 or lower: 0 points
- CLB 5: 1 point
- CLB 6: 9 points
- CLB 7: 17 points
- CLB 8: 23 points
- CLB 9 or higher: 34 points (32 points if married)
Most candidates take the IELTS or CELPIP for English testing. For French, the TEF exam is commonly used. Scoring high in both languages can significantly increase CRS points.
Canadian Work Experience (maximum 80 points)
Points are based on periods of skilled work experience gained by candidates in Canada within the last 10 years:
- Less than 1 year: 0 points
- 1 year: 40 points
- 2 years: 53 points
- 3 years: 64 points
- 4 years: 72 points
- 5+ years: 80 points
To qualify, this experience must be in a skilled NOC 0, A, B or C occupation. Core human capital factors aim to assess the candidate’s long-term economic potential in Canada.
Spouse Factors
If a candidate has a spouse joining them in Canada, the spouse can contribute up to 40 additional CRS points based on their:
- Level of education (maximum 10 points)
- Official language proficiency (maximum 20 points)
- Canadian work experience (maximum 10 points)
Including details on the spouse’s qualifications in an Express Entry profile is essential for maximizing CRS points.
Skill Transferability Factors
This section aims to assess how easily a candidate’s skills and qualifications can transfer to the Canadian job market.
Points are awarded for combinations like:
- A foreign degree + strong English/French skills (up to 50 points)
- Canadian work experience + post-secondary education (up to 50 points)
- Foreign work experience + Canadian work experience (up to 50 points)
Candidates can only claim transfers for certain skill combinations and earn up to 100 points maximum under this section.
Additional Factors
This section gives candidates meaningful opportunities to significantly increase their score:
Provincial Nomination (600 points): Being nominated by a province acts as an endorsement for permanent residence.
Qualifying Job Offer (50-200 points): Arranged employment can help demonstrate established ties to Canada.
Canadian Education (15-30 points): Credit for credentials earned from a Canadian institute.
Strong French Skills (50-100 points): Candidates with strong French and English abilities are valued.
Siblings in Canada (15 points): Having a sibling permanently established in Canada.
These additional factors can make a big difference in Express Entry ranking. A provincial nomination alone guarantees an ITA in upcoming draws.
Source: https://www.canadim.com/immigrate/express-entry/comprehensive-ranking-system/
What CRS Score Do I Need?
The CRS cut-off score needed to receive an ITA varies from draw to draw based on the following:
- Number of ITAs issued
- Number of candidates in the pool
- Minimum score set by IRCC
The table below shows some sample minimum CRS scores and the number of ITAs issued during 2024 draws:
| Draw # | Minimum CRS Score Required | Date of Draw | # of ITAs Issued |
| 330 | 727 (*Provincial nominees only) | December 16, 2024 | 1,085 |
| 329 | 466 (*French language proficiency only) | December 3, 2024 | 800 |
| 328 | 705 (*Provincial nominees only) | December 2, 2024 | 676 |
| 327 | 463 (*Healthcare occupations only) | November 20, 2024 | 3,000 |
| 326 | 539 (*Canadian Experience Class only) | November 19, 2024 | 400 |
The key is to improve your score as much as possible in case IRCC raises minimums in future draws. While a score of around 470-750 may have led to an ITA in the past, this may no longer be enough in an increasingly competitive pool.
Source: https://www.canadavisa.com/express-entry-invitations-to-apply-issued.html
How Can I Improve My CRS Score?
There are two main ways candidates can improve their ranking under the Comprehensive Ranking System:
Maximize Core Factors
First, focus on maximizing core human capital factors. Aside from fixed age, candidates have some control over improving their education, language, and Canadian work experience.
Language skills, in particular, offer significant potential for point gains. Candidates should consider retaking IELTS, CELPIP or TEF exams to boost their results, especially if initial scores were lower. Even small gains in language can mean 10-20 more points.
Candidates should also get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) done to verify their highest completed credential. Having an ECA confirming your PhD, master’s or bachelor’s degree can help maximize education points.
Moreover, gaining additional skilled Canadian work experience in an NOC 0, A, B or C job can incrementally increase points in this section. Married applicants should also ensure their spouse completes language testing and their education credentials are assessed.
Increase Additional Factors
Secondly, candidates should explore avenues to increase additional factor points. The most impactful option is getting a provincial nomination through the Express Entry stream of a Provincial Nominee Program. This results in 600 additional points – a virtual guarantee of invitation.
Candidates can also consider pursuing post-secondary education in Canada, which awards 15 or 30 points for Canadian credentials of 1+ years. Improving French skills and taking the TEF exam can result in 50-100 extra points if proficiency is adequate.
Validating a qualifying job offer with a Canadian employer can also bolster the profile with 50-200 points depending on the position’s NOC level. Finally, verifying if you have a sibling permanently settled in Canada can garner you 15 extra points.
In summary, being strategic in finding small ways to improve your core factors and leverage additional points can optimize your profile. A high CRS score requires time and effort but maximizes your potential for receiving an Invitation to Apply.
The Bottom Line
A high CRS score is one of the most critical factors in immigrating to Canada through an economic program. The Comprehensive Ranking System assesses a candidate’s human capital and the likelihood of economically establishing themselves in Canada.
Maximizing your score involves understanding Express Entry eligibility and the CRS point grid, accurately assessing your profile, and finding strategic avenues for improvement.
While CRS cut-off thresholds fluctuate over time, focusing on increasing your points will ensure you become a top contender for receiving an Invitation to Apply. Consistently stay up-to-date on the latest CRS trends and draw results as you work towards building your best possible Express Entry profile.
Frequently Asked Questions about Comprehensive Ranking System in Canada
Here are some sample FAQs for this blog post on the Comprehensive Ranking System:
Q: What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?
A: The CRS is the points-based system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to score and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool for immigrating to Canada. Candidates are awarded points based on core factors like age, education, work experience, and languages.
Q: How many points are available in the CRS?
A: There are 1,200 total points available. The core/human capital factors section is worth 500 points. The spouse factors section is worth 40 points. The skill transferability factors section is worth 100 points. Finally, the additional factors section is worth 600 points.
Q: What is the minimum CRS score I need to immigrate to Canada?
A: The minimum CRS score fluctuates each draw based on competition in the pool. In recent draws, it has ranged between the mid-400s to low 800s for candidates without a provincial nomination. With a provincial nomination, candidates have needed a minimum score in the 200s-300s.
Q: How can I maximize my core human capital points?
A: Focus on improving your English and/or French language scores, completing your ECA for highest education, and gaining additional skilled Canadian work experience. Ensure your spouse also completes language testing and credential assessments.
Q: What are the best ways to increase my ranking under additional factors?
A: Obtaining a provincial nomination, improving French skills, completing further education in Canada, and securing a qualifying job offer can significantly boost points.
Article Sources
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Express Entry: How the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Works – canadavisa.com
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) – canadim.com
Everything you need to know about the Comprehensive Ranking System – cicnews.com