The CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) evaluates factors such as age, education, work experience, language skills, and other criteria, determining eligibility for an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency.
The CRS is a detailed system used to identify immigrants likely to succeed in the Canadian job market. It awards points to Express Entry candidates based on factors like age, education, language skills, and work experience. Candidates are then ranked by their CRS scores.
It helps the Canadian government pick skilled immigrants for PR on the basis of their qualifications.
The CRS is a points-based system used to evaluate and rank your profile in the Express Entry pool. It scores your:
The CRS gives you a total score out of 1,200 points, divided into core points and additional points.
Core Points (Up to 600):
Additional Points (Up to 600):
Total Score = Core Points + Additional Points
Express Entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to manage and process applications for skilled workers seeking Canadian permanent residence. It handles three main programs:
Age: Younger candidates score higher, as Canada values long-term contributions.
Education: Higher education levels, like a master's or PhD, earn more points.
Work Experience: More skilled work experience increases your score, especially in high-demand occupations.
Language Proficiency: Strong English and/or French skills boost your score.
Adaptability: Having a job offer, Canadian education, or close relatives in Canada adds extra points.
In the latest Express Entry draw on April 10th, 1,280 people were invited to become permanent residents. They needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 549 to qualify.
Category |
Without Spouse/Common-Law Partner |
With Spouse/Common-Law Partner |
Core Human Capital Factors |
Up to 500 points |
Up to 460 points (Principal Applicant) |
|
|
Up to 40 points (Spouse/Common-Law Partner) |
Skill Transferability Factors |
Up to 100 points |
Up to 100 points |
Provincial Nomination |
600 points |
600 points |
Arranged Employment Offer |
Up to 200 points |
Up to 200 points |
Canadian Study Experience |
Up to 30 points |
Up to 30 points |
French Language Ability (combined with English) |
Up to 50 points |
Up to 50 points |
Sibling in Canada |
Up to 15 points |
Up to 15 points |
CRS Score Range |
Message |
0-300 |
Explore alternatives. Candidates with lower scores, especially without skilled Canadian work experience, should consider alternative ways to move to Canada. |
300-399 |
Provinces may start looking for you. Some provinces, like Alberta, have invited candidates with scores in this range through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which can add 600 points to your score. |
400-499 |
Getting better. Small improvements, especially in language skills (aim for CLB 9 or better), can significantly boost your score. Candidates may be invited through category-based draws or additional PNP options. |
500-549 |
Competitive. You are in a good position to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). However, aim to increase your score further to stay competitive, as some all-program draws have cut-offs above 500. |
550+ |
Strong. Congratulations, this is a very competitive score! While not guaranteed, a score above 550+ puts you in a strong position for an invitation. Explore further points-boosting opportunities if needed. |
Points to Note:
Points breakdown, section by section
Age |
With a spouse or common-law partner |
Without a spouse or common-law partner |
17 years of age or less |
0 |
0 |
18 years of age |
90 |
99 |
19 years of age |
95 |
105 |
20 to 29 years of age |
100 |
110 |
30 years of age |
95 |
105 |
31 years of age |
90 |
99 |
32 years of age |
85 |
94 |
33 years of age |
80 |
88 |
34 years of age |
75 |
83 |
35 years of age |
70 |
77 |
36 years of age |
65 |
72 |
37 years of age |
60 |
66 |
38 years of age |
55 |
61 |
39 years of age |
50 |
55 |
40 years of age |
45 |
50 |
41 years of age |
35 |
39 |
42 years of age |
25 |
28 |
43 years of age |
15 |
17 |
44 years of age |
5 |
6 |
45 years of age or more |
0 |
0 |
Maximum |
100 |
110 |
Level of Education |
With a spouse or common-law partner |
Without a spouse or common-law partner |
Less than secondary school (high school) |
0 |
0 |
Secondary diploma (high school graduation) |
28 |
30 |
One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
84 |
90 |
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
91 |
98 |
Bachelor's degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
112 |
120 |
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years |
119 |
128 |
Master's degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) |
126 |
135 |
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) |
140 |
150 |
Maximum |
140 |
150 |
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability |
With a spouse or common-law partner |
Without a spouse or common-law partner |
*Points are awarded for each language ability |
||
Less than CLB 4 |
0 |
0 |
CLB 4 or 5 |
6 |
6 |
CLB 6 |
8 |
9 |
CLB 7 |
16 |
17 |
CLB 8 |
22 |
23 |
CLB 9 |
29 |
31 |
CLB 10 or more |
32 |
34 |
Maximum |
128 |
136 |
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability |
With a spouse or common-law partner |
Without a spouse or common-law partner |
*Points are awarded for each language ability |
||
CLB 4 or less |
0 |
0 |
CLB 5 or 6 |
1 |
1 |
CLB 7 or 8 |
3 |
3 |
CLB 9 or more |
6 |
6 |
Maximum |
22 |
24 |
Canadian work experience |
With a spouse or common-law partner |
Without a spouse or common-law partner |
None or less than a year |
0 |
0 |
1 year |
35 |
40 |
2 years |
46 |
53 |
3 years |
56 |
64 |
4 years |
63 |
72 |
5 years or more |
70 |
80 |
Maximum |
70 |
80 |
Subtotal: A – Core / human capital factors
Spouse’s or common-law partner’s level of education |
With spouse or common-law partner |
Without spouse or common-law partner |
Less than secondary school (high school) |
0 |
n/a |
Secondary school (high school graduation) |
2 |
n/a |
One-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
6 |
n/a |
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical in school, or other institute |
7 |
n/a |
Bachelor's degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute |
8 |
n/a |
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years |
9 |
n/a |
Master's degree, or professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For a “professional degree”, the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) |
10 |
n/a |
Doctoral-level university degree (PhD) |
10 |
n/a |
Maximum |
10 |
Does Not Apply |
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening) |
With spouse or common-law Partner |
Without spouse or common-law partner |
*Points are awarded for each language ability |
||
CLB 4 or less |
0 |
n/a |
CLB 5 or 6 |
1 |
n/a |
CLB 7 or 8 |
3 |
n/a |
CLB 9 or more |
5 |
n/a |
Maximum |
20 |
Does Not Apply |
Spouse's Canadian work experience |
With a spouse or common-law partner |
Without a spouse or common-law partner |
None or less than a year |
0 |
n/a |
1 year |
5 |
n/a |
2 years |
7 |
n/a |
3 years |
8 |
n/a |
4 years |
9 |
n/a |
5 years or more |
10 |
n/a |
Maximum |
10 |
Does Not Apply |
Subtotal: A – Core / human capital + B – Spouse or common-law partner factors – Maximum 500 points
With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 7 or higher) and a post-secondary degree |
Points for CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, with one or more under CLB 9 |
Points for CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities |
Secondary school (high school) credential or less |
0 |
0 |
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer |
13 |
25 |
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer |
25 |
50 |
Maximum |
25 |
50 |
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree |
Points for education + 1 year of Canadian work experience |
Points for education + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience |
Secondary school (high school) credential or less |
0 |
0 |
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer |
13 |
25 |
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer |
25 |
50 |
Maximum |
25 |
50 |
Years of experience |
Points for foreign work experience + CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under 9 |
Points for foreign work experience + CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities |
No foreign work experience |
0 |
0 |
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience |
13 |
25 |
3 years or more of foreign work experience |
25 |
50 |
Maximum |
25 |
50 |
Years of experience |
Points for foreign work experience + 1 year of Canadian work experience |
Points for foreign work experience + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience |
No foreign work experience |
0 |
0 |
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience |
13 |
25 |
3 years or more of foreign work experience |
25 |
50 |
Maximum |
25 |
50 |
Subtotal: A – Core / human capital + B – Spouse or common-law partner + C – Skill transferability factors – Maximum 600 points
Factor |
Points |
Brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident) |
15 |
French language skills |
50 |
Post-secondary education in Canada |
30 |
Arranged employment |
200 |
PN nomination |
600 |
Maximum |
600 |
A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors + C. Transferability factors + D. Additional points = Grand total – Maximum 1,200 points |
Boosting your CRS score in Express Entry is crucial for Canadian permanent residency. A higher score increases your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Here's how to improve your score:
To increase your CRS score through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), apply to any PNP to potentially add 600 points. Ensure you meet eligibility criteria and have an Express Entry account.
Eligible applicants for multiple Express Entry programs are invited based on this order:
Provinces have innovatively used their Express Entry-aligned PNP streams:
A good CRS score enables Canadian authorities to consider your application for a Permanent Residency (PR) visa.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is pivotal in every Express Entry draw. It ranks candidates across all three categories to determine invitations.
Federal Express Entry Draws: The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) typically has bi-weekly draws with lower CRS score requirements.
Provincial Nominee Program: PNP nomination can earn you up to 600 extra CRS points, significantly affecting your score.
Canadian Experience Class: CEC is ideal for those with at least one year of Canadian work experience seeking permanent residence in Canada.
The NOC code can affect the CRS score as it has different categories. As per Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC),
NOC code is of two categories –
Only the applicants choosing the NOC skilled category can get CRS points for work experience. The other categories do not get this benefit.
But, the NOC category 00 can get a maximum point of 875.
To choose the right NOC if you fit multiple categories, you must consider some factors. These are –
To apply for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) through the Express Entry system, you have two options:
Submit an Expression Of Interest (EOI) to the suitable PNP.
For employees:
For self-employed:
If you have Canadian work experience:
Proof of completed studies, whether in Canada or abroad, may include:
Your letter of employment should contain:
Include a copy of your provincial/territorial certificate of qualification.
Express Entry is an online system designed to manage immigration applications from skilled workers who wish to settle in Canada. It comprises three main immigration programs:
This program is for skilled workers who have gained experience working in Canada within the last three years. It's tailored for individuals who have already integrated into the Canadian workforce.
Geared towards skilled workers with foreign work experience, this program has specific educational and eligibility criteria. It's ideal for individuals with expertise gained outside of Canada.
This program is aimed at skilled workers specializing in a qualified trade. It requires either a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification. It's a great option for those skilled in various trades like carpentry or plumbing.
In addition to these programs, candidates eligible for Express Entry can also apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This allows them to earn additional points and increases their chances of selection by provinces based on their specific labour market needs.
Here's a step-by-step overview of how the Express Entry process works:
Candidates determine their eligibility by either answering a series of questions or carefully reviewing the detailed requirements for each program. This initial step ensures alignment with the criteria set forth by the immigration programs.
Eligible candidates who submit their profiles are assigned a CRS score, which serves as a benchmark for ranking within the Express Entry pool. The CRS evaluates various factors, including age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other adaptability factors.
Candidates prepare necessary documents, such as language proficiency test results, educational credentials, and employment records. Timely acquisition of these documents is essential for a smooth application process.
Candidates complete their Express Entry profiles, providing comprehensive information about themselves, including personal details and relevant qualifications. Upon submission, candidates are accepted into the pool and assigned a CRS score.
Candidates with the highest CRS scores receive invitations to apply for permanent residency. ITAs are issued during regular invitation rounds conducted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Invited candidates have 60 days to submit their applications for permanent residency. Complete applications, accompanied by all required supporting documents, are processed by IRCC within a timeframe of six months or less.
Documentation is a crucial part of your Visa process. Our Visa agents will help you do it correctly.
What happens in the Express Entry pool?
The following is a detailed guide of the application process:
1. Finding your NOC (National Occupational Qualification)
In order to be eligible for the Canadian express entry program, check if your employment falls under NOC 0, A, B or D.
2. Assess your educational credential.
There are IRCC approved third parties who assess your foreign education. Based on this, you will know which category to apply for.
3. Take your English/French language test
In order to receive a Canada PR through express entry, you need to be proficient in one of the two federal languages – English or French.
4. Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score
The CRS is a points-based system to assess your profile and rank it in the Express Entry pool. To know your score, use the calculator below.
1. Get into the Express entry pool
To create your Express Entry profile, you need to submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) with information like :
Personal Reference Code, Marital status, Number of dependent family members, ID documents data, Settlement funds amount, Education history and Language test results, Work history, Passport, Provincial choice, and details of valid employment offer, if applicable.
2. You will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
You will receive a mail to your account, asking you to apply. You will get a time period of 60 days to fill up other documents and apply.
1. Document Checklist
Once you receive the ITA, you will have to upload the required document.
2. Acknowledgement of Receipt and passport request
You will get an acknowledgement of receipt of the document. You will be asked to share your passport.
3. Prepare for your stay in Canada
You will be granted a PR now. We provide post-visa assistance to help you settle comfortably.
No, a job offer is not compulsory for permanent residency. You can apply under the programs that do not require a job offer as qualifying criteria.
The cost of immigrating to Canada depends on the immigration program you choose and the number of family members. So, is it expensive to apply for permanent residency in Canada?
IRCC Express Entry Proof of Funds Requirement in 2024
Number of family members |
Funds required in Canadian dollars (CAD) |
Approximate in Indian Rupees (INR) ( **Approx. 1 CAD - INR 60.7) |
1 |
CAD 13,310 |
INR 8,07,931 |
2 |
CAD 16,570 |
INR 10,05,810 |
3 |
CAD 20,371 |
INR 12,36,539 |
4 |
CAD 24,733 |
INR 15,01,317 |
5 |
CAD 28,052 |
INR 17,02,787 |
6 |
CAD 31,638 |
INR 19,20,467 |
7 |
CAD 35,224 |
INR 21,38,136 |
For each additional family member |
CAD 3,586 |
INR 2,17,674 |
Other factors to consider:
Factors |
Amount (In Canadian Dollars) |
Right of permanent residence fee |
$ 500 |
Express Entry processing fee (with a spouse) |
$ 825 |
Each dependent child |
$ 225 |
TEF language test (French) |
$ 440 |
IELTS language test (English) |
$ 319 |
Police clearance certificate |
About $20 |
Medical examination report |
$100 - $500 |
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report |
$ 100 for document evaluation $ 160 for course evaluation |
For a detailed breakdown, refer to this: Cost for Canada PR Visa in 2020 (with Family)
You need to score a minimum of 67 points on the Express Entry calculator in order to qualify for a Canada PR visa under the Express Entry System. These points are calculated on various factors which include your age, work experience, education, language skills, adaptability, etc.
The maximum points you can obtain for these factors are as follows:
Canada Express Entry Eligibility | 67 points on 6 factors
Factor |
Maximum Points Available |
Language skills - in English & French |
28 |
Education |
25 |
Work experience |
15 |
Age |
12 |
Arranged employment (job offer in Canada) |
10 |
Adaptability |
10 |
TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE |
100 |
Scoring 67 points does not grant you the PR visa, but makes you eligible to apply to the Canada PR through the Express Entry system. You are then required to choose the right immigration program for yourself based on your profile traits.
Immigration programs under the Express Entry system are:
The minimum IELTS score required for Canada pr is 6 per band. But, it does not mean that the applicant will get the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for sure.
Cost for Canada PR after applying:
You need to bear the following costs if you are applying for Permanent Residency:
You need to submit your final PR application after you receive your ITA. Then, you need to wait until you receive the Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Up to this point, the process and cost are almost the same for both Express Entry and PNP. Apart from this, you need to bear the cost of getting important documents.
Canada PR application should be processed in 6-8 months. The duration varies based on different factors.
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Free Profile Evaluation: Our visa experts will evaluate your profile, providing a detailed report on point-details, income-scope, visa success chances, and areas for improvement. We offer informed decision-making and suggest the best options for you.
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The tests for English are IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program). For French, the tests are TEF (Test d'évaluation de français) and TCF (Test de connaissance du français).
There is no minimum CRS score required to submit an Express Entry profile. However, to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), your score must meet or exceed the minimum CRS cut-off score in a given draw.
You must disclose any refusals or removals in your application. This does not automatically disqualify you, but you need to provide accurate information and explanations.
The CRS calculator assesses points based on factors like age, education, language ability, work experience, and adaptability. You enter your details into the calculator, and it provides a score to estimate your ranking in the Express Entry pool.
This depends on the individual case. Common tests include IELTS or CELPIP for English, and TEF or TCF for French.
This depends on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) you applied to. The specific province or territory will issue the nomination certificate.
A provincial nomination grants an additional 600 points, significantly increasing your chances of receiving an ITA.
This is specific to the individual. You need to calculate and provide the exact number of years of foreign work experience you have.
You can use the official CRS calculator provided by the Government of Canada. Enter your details such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and any additional factors to get your estimated CRS score.
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