What are the Minimum Points Required for Express Entry?

If you want to work and settle in one of the world’s best and most livable countries, then Canada is undoubtedly the ideal place to be as it is one of the most immigrant-friendly nations of the world. 

Express Entry, as the name suggests, is the fastest way to immigrate to Canada. Read on to know how you can achieve the minimum points required for Express Entry program.

Minimum Points Required for Express Entry System

Indians skilled in IT, medical and other in-demand professions in Canada can easily move to Canada. To get a PR status in Canada, 

• Express Entry Program, 
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and,
• Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP) are the popular pathways. 

For a Express Entry candidate, a minimum score of 67 points out of 100 is required for Express Entry Profile. These points are calculated on various factors.

The maximum points you can obtain for these factors are as follows:

Canada Express Entry Eligibility | 67 points on 6 factors 

Scoring 67 points does not grant you the Canadian Permanent Residence visa, but makes you eligible to apply to the Canada PR visa 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.

If you are accepted into the Express Entry pool, you are not guaranteed to receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. For an invitation, you need to have a high CRS Score.

What is the CRS Score cut off for Canadian Immigration?

You require a score of 67 out of 100 to first be eligible to obtain a PR visa via the Express Entry system. Once you are proved to be eligible, you then need to have a great CRS score too. 

Read on to know how you can achieve this.

• The maximum points in the CRS system is 1200.
• Every Express Entry draw announces a cut-off score.
• Those with a CRS score above the cut-off, receive an invite to apply(ITA) for a PR visa by the Canadian government.
• Applications with a CRS score below 450 can be at risk. You may need a PNP nomination to get through.
• The estimated minimum CRS score points can reduce even further if the need for skilled workers continues to increase, and if the number of applications for permanent residents decreases.

Note: In the latest Express Entry draw that took place on April 13th, 2022, Canadian Immigration Authorities have invited 787 eligible candidates for Permanent Resident visa through Express Entry. 

The number of applications is expected to rise in the next draw.

What’s my CRS Score?

There are at least four different ways to increase your chances in 2024.

1. Apply for a PNP  

A provincial nomination will help you get 600 points for canadian immigration. 

To get a provincial nomination (PNP), you need to first lodge your application in the Express Entry Pool. Many provinces have an automated selection process based on your CRS Points or your NOC code. 

However, you can apply for at least three different options outside the Express Entry Pool:

•  Saskatchewan Nominee Program
•  Prince Edward Island Nominee Program.
•  Quebec Skilled Worker Visa (outside Express Entry Program) 

2. Improve your IELTS score

• A score of 9 in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) wins you 136 CRS points under this language test section.
• Tests like these can fetch you an additional 100 points under the Skill Transferability Section.
• A French-language test can fetch you an additional 24 points.

3. If primary applicant gets married (Common law partner factors)

• Additional points are awarded if you have a spouse or a common-law partner.
• Make your partner the primary applicant if he/she has more chances to get a better score than you do in Express Entry profile.
• If your process in the Express Entry pool has already begun, you cannot change the primary applicant. 

4. Get a job Offer

• An existing job offer can get up to an additional 200 points.
• The Labour Market Impact Assessment must recognize the job offer.

How are the CRS Points Calculated?

The major factors that determine the CRS Points for canadian permanent resident include:

1. Core Human Capital Factors

The maximum points you can get based on your skills are:

• 100 points for age
• 140 points on your qualification
• 150 points in language test  proficiency
• 70 points if you have prior Skilled work experience within the province of Canada

2. Spouse or Common-law partner

This factor adds an edge to your application if you make your accompanying spouse the primary applicant and she has work experience. Under this category, you can gain maximum points of:

• 10 for your level of education
• 20 points for language  proficiency
• 10 points for prior work experience

3. Skill Transferability Factors

• This includes several proficiency levels to be considered.
• 50 points for language proficiency and post-secondary education.
• 50 additional points for a post-secondary degree and work experience in Canada.
• 50 points for official language proficiency and foreign work experience.
• 50 points If you have a certificate of qualification along with language proficiency.

Bonus Tips!

The government of Canada provides some additional bonus to increase the points for permanent resident:

• You can gain up to 600 points if a province of Canada has nominated you.
• You get 200 points if you arrange a temporary job before applying
• 30 points for French language proficiency and an additional 30 points is given for  a bachelor's degree or a post-secondary degree
• Having a sibling residing in Canada fetches you another 50 points to become citizenship of Canada

To know the detailed point breakdown of your CRS Score, read: Canada CRS Calculator: Know if you’re in demand in 2024

Other Important FAQs

What is a Good CRS score?

The CRS score is extremely important for the Canada Express Entry Program

• A score of 450 to 500 is considered as a good score
• An principal applicant with a CRS score between 400 and 450 can expect an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
• For a CRS score below 400, you need to earn additional options 
• Experts think that the CRS score might further reduce in the upcoming years.

Why Express Entry is considered the Best Immigration Program?

• The Express Entry Draw is one of the most famous programs that determine the fate of immigration of foreign citizens.
• The system is based on points and profile rankings.
• Express Entry Pool point’s grid analyzes the applications received.
• This score is known as the Comprehensive Ranking System Score or the CRS score of Express Entry Draw.

Be it the Federal Skilled Worker program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Provincial Nominee Program, or the Canadian Experience Class, all applications are selected based on occupations demand, and the CRS score cut off. 

Which jobs in Canada do not require Labour Market Impact Assessment?

Jobs that are generally exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) are:

• Self-employed engineers, technical workers, creative and performing artists, etc.
• Intra-company transferees with specialized educational qualification and capable of benefitting Canada with their skills & experience.
• Workers under Mobilité francophone. 

Conclusion: 

You can learn more about the 67 points system to be eligible to apply for the Express Entry system.

• The express entry draw is held by Canadian government regularly. They set the CRS cut off score of the express entry draw. 
• This determines if an applicant would be invited to apply. Even if it's a lowest ranked candidate they are still considered eligible.

The government of Canada provides some additional bonus to increase your CRS score:

• You can gain up to 600 points If a province of Canada has nominated you 
• You can get 200 points if you arrange a temporary job before applying

• 30 points for French language proficiency  

• Additional 30 points is awarded given for a bachelor's degree or a post-secondary degree
• Having a sibling residing in Canada fetches you another 50 points

All of these points can add up to 1200 points. 

We can help you improve your score!

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