Improve Your CRS Score

Securing a high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is crucial for candidates wishing to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry system. A higher CRS score increases your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Below are detailed strategies to help you improve your CRS score, enhancing your prospects in the Express Entry pool.

1. Enhance Your Language Proficiency
Language skills are a significant component of the CRS score. Improving your English or French language proficiency can lead to substantial gains in your score. Consider the following:

• Retake Language Tests: Achieving higher scores in language proficiency tests like IELTS (for English) or TEF Canada (for French) can dramatically increase your CRS points.
• Learn a Second Official Language: Demonstrating proficiency in both of Canada’s official languages (English and French) can add up to 22 points under the language factor alone, and even more under the skill transferability factors.

2. Gain Additional Work Experience
Work experience, both in Canada and abroad, can significantly impact your CRS score.

• Canadian Work Experience: Additional years of work experience in Canada can substantially increase your score, especially under the Canadian Experience Class.
• International Work Experience: While Canadian work experience scores more points, international work experience can also add to your CRS score, particularly when combined with good language proficiency or Canadian work experience.

3. Pursue Higher Education
The level of education significantly affects your CRS score. If possible, consider:

• Completing Additional Degrees, Diplomas, or Certificates: Higher educational attainment can increase your score. If you have the opportunity to pursue further education in Canada, this can also provide additional points for Canadian educational credentials.
• Have Your Education Assessed: If you haven’t had your foreign education credentials assessed, doing so can add points to your score.

4. Secure a Job Offer in Canada
Although not required for all Express Entry candidates, a valid job offer from a Canadian employer can add up to 200 points to your CRS score, depending on the NOC skill type of the job.

5. Obtain a Provincial Nomination
Securing a nomination from a province or territory through one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) is one of the most effective ways to increase your CRS score, as it adds 600 points to your total score.

6. Consider Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner’s Credentials
If you are applying with a spouse or common-law partner, their language proficiency, level of education, and Canadian work experience can contribute to your overall CRS score.

• Improving Your Spouse’s Language Scores: Encourage your spouse to take language tests or improve their existing language test scores.
• Evaluate Your Spouse’s Education: Having your spouse’s education assessed and recognized in Canada can add points to your score.

7. Continuous Improvement and Reassessment
The CRS score is dynamic, and candidates can leave and enter the pool, and their circumstances can change. Regularly update your profile to reflect any improvements in your situation, such as higher language scores, additional work experience, or new educational credentials.