Here’s some crucial advice for Express Entry candidates aiming to enhance their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and secure Canadian Permanent Residency (PR).
Express Entry stands out as one of the most prominent and expeditious routes to attain Canadian Permanent Residency (PR). However, only candidates with the highest CRS scores receive invitations to apply (ITAs) for Canadian Permanent Residency. Given the competitive nature of the Express Entry pool, it becomes imperative to understand the various strategies to boost your CRS score.
If you’ve already submitted your Express Entry profile and find that your CRS score falls below the current demand, there are several options available to improve it. This resource aims to guide you in identifying the most effective methods for increasing your overall CRS score. Whether you’re seeking just a few additional points to reach your target score or require a significant boost for your invitation to apply, we’ll assist you in determining the most suitable approach(es) for your situation.
To ascertain the specific CRS score needed to secure an invitation to apply, refer to the latest Express Entry Draw list for the most up-to-date information.
Understanding the Comprehensive Ranking System Matrix:
Once you’ve identified your eligibility criteria within one of the Express Entry-aligned immigration streams, established an Express Entry profile, and acquired a CRS score, it may appear that all that’s left is to patiently await an invitation to apply. However, this is contingent upon obtaining a commendable CRS score; without it, the wait could be prolonged.
Within the Comprehensive Ranking System of the Express Entry Pool, numerous opportunities exist to enhance your standing among fellow candidates. Despite having created your Express Entry profile, your CRS score is not set in stone. Given the dynamic nature of the system, you can proactively take steps to refine it.
While certain improvements may only yield a marginal increase in your CRS score, even a slight boost can have a significant impact. Conversely, some enhancements have the potential to add up to 600 points to your overall CRS score, virtually ensuring an invitation to apply in the subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.
Checklist:
Ensure you’ve claimed the necessary points to make yourself eligible
Review the CRS score comprehensively to identify any overlooked opportunities to claim points. Examine the list below in detail and confirm that you have claimed points for all relevant factors within your individual profile.
Siblings in Canada
Verify whether you or your common-law partner or spouse has a sibling living in Canada, holding either permanent residency or Canadian citizenship. This familial connection can be established through blood relations, marriage, adoption, or common-law partnership. If this applies to your situation, demonstrating the appropriate relationship can result in an additional 15 points being added to your overall CRS score.
Education
This specific approach is tailored for individuals seeking Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) under the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In contrast to applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), those applying through FSTC and CEC are exempt from providing an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) or any academic documents from a Canadian university or college to qualify for the Express Entry Program. This implies that educational qualifications alone can contribute up to 200 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Educational documents carry a value of 150 points, and an additional 50 points can be earned through credible language proficiency test scores and Canadian work experience.
When constructing your Express Entry Profile, it is essential to include all valid education completed to date. Even if you possess a one-year diploma from eight years ago that is unrelated to your current occupation, you can still accrue points for it in your Express Entry Profile. You will need to obtain an ECA report for all your educational credentials, unless the education was not completed in Canada. The Express Entry System assigns points for your education irrespective of the field of study, and whether the degree or diploma aligns with your current employment is not a determining factor.
Second Language Proficiency
You can potentially boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by claiming points for proficiency in both French and English. If you are adept in both languages, ensure to take approved language tests for both French and English to secure additional points for your language skills. Additionally, bilingual candidates may qualify for bonus points, and specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams prioritize applicants fluent in French.
If you possess language proficiency in both French and English, seize the opportunity to enhance your overall CRS score.
However, if you have diligently followed the eligibility criteria to claim points, yet your score falls below the competitive threshold, consider earnestly implementing the strategies outlined below to elevate your CRS score.
Effective Strategies for Swiftly Boosting Your CRS Score
Discover key suggestions to reliably enhance your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score promptly. With dedication and sincere time and effort, you can achieve significant improvements within a few months, if not weeks, as you work towards your ultimate goal.
Prepare for your language assessments
If you haven’t yet reached your desired language test scores, this option offers a quicker and short-term path to achieve a competitive CRS score.
A candidate’s language proficiency is valued at a maximum of 260 points, and up to 270 points when applying with a spouse. Therefore, language abilities in English and/or French are not only the most crucial human capital factor in the Express Entry System but also contribute significantly to incremental gains in your overall CRS score.
Even a slight improvement of 0.5 points in each language ability (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) results in additional points. This improvement threshold is met when a candidate attains a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 9 in each ability. Achieving CLB 9 triggers a substantial increase in total points under the skills transferability factor, which considers points for educational credentials and total work experience. A small increase in your language ability score can lead to a significant boost in your total CRS score.
The skills transferability factor is worth a total of 100 points, so efforts should be made to maximize points in this category.
To reach CLB 9 on the IELTS General Training examination, you need to achieve the following minimum scores in each ability:
- Listening: 8.0
- Speaking: 7.0
- Reading: 7.0
- Writing: 7.0
Similarly, to attain CLB 9 on the CELPIP General test, you must obtain a minimum score of 9 in each of the four abilities.
Immigration experts can assist you in developing strategies to obtain the required language scores.
Strategies for Enhancing Your CRS Score Over the Long Run
For those prepared to pursue immigration to Canada through Express Entry, there are also gradual approaches available to boost your CRS score. Some of these methods may yield results in a few months, while others may take several years. However, they represent significant gains in long-term planning.
Accrue additional professional experience
If you possess fewer than three years of full-time or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience gained outside Canada, it is recommended that you acquire more work experience. While your overall work experience may not contribute to your score in the human capital factors, it can significantly enhance your points in the skills transferability combinations.
For immigrants currently employed in Canada under a work visa, maintaining continuous employment is particularly crucial. This is due to the potential to earn additional points in the Canadian work experience category, provided that they uphold a legalized work status throughout the entire duration.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Securing a nomination from a specific Canadian province can significantly boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by up to 600 points.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is increasingly favoring provinces participating in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream. Reciprocally, these provinces actively engage with the Express Entry pool, selecting candidates possessing in-demand skills and work experience deemed valuable for the province’s economic development.
In recent months, Canadian provinces have been strategically utilizing Express Entry-aligned PNP streams. For example, Ontario has pinpointed professionals in the Information Technology (IT) sector, while Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia have introduced PNP streams accessible to individuals across various occupations, eliminating the need for a prior job offer. British Columbia maintains its unique immigration system, welcoming candidates, and Manitoba and Alberta have developed their immigration programs linked to the Express Entry System. Other provinces are similarly issuing nomination certificates to eligible and skilled candidates from the Express Entry pool.
Six hundred points can make a significant difference! These points are available to candidates applying for the Provincial Nominee Program either independently or in conjunction with their Express Entry Profile. It’s essential to review the eligibility requirements for each province under their respective PNP streams to secure the necessary points.
Participating in an additional educational program
Participating in an additional educational program is a key component of a comprehensive, long-term strategy to boost your CRS score. Enhancing your educational qualifications not only contributes points through your academic degrees and diplomas but also adds to the skill transferability factor within the Express Entry System.
The skill transferability factor allows you to earn a maximum of 100 points, making it imperative to strategically choose the right educational path to maximize your CRS score. To achieve this, it is advisable to pursue the following level of education based on your existing qualifications:
Complete two or more post-secondary educational credentials, with at least one program spanning a duration of three years or more.
If you’ve already attained a bachelor’s degree, consider enrolling in an additional one-year study program. This move will not only enhance your skills but also earn you extra points in the skill transferability factor. While committing to another one or two-year educational program may require time and dedication, the investment is worthwhile, especially if your goal is to immigrate to Canada
Move through a Canadian job offer
To accrue specific points within the Canadian Express Entry System based on a job offer, the offer must adhere to stringent criteria. While the benefits of securing such an offer, which now contributes merely 50 CRS points compared to the previous 600 points, may seem less substantial, obtaining a qualifying job offer remains a crucial factor.
Leverage the assistance of your spouse or partner to enhance your CRS score.
Spousal/Partner Criteria
If you’re considering immigration to Canada with your spouse or common-law partner, it’s important to note that you can accrue a maximum of 20 points based on your partner’s language proficiency. Additionally, their education level and work experience gained in Canada are valued at 10 points each. This amounts to a total of 40 points that can be attributed to your spouse or partner’s qualifications.
However, even if you’re applying as a sole applicant, these 40 points can still be allocated across various other factors within your own profile. Single applicants simply need to claim these points based on their individual qualifications.
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