The Express Entry system, no doubt, is the most popular and the quickest way to get a Canada PR. If you are thinking of migrating to Canada in 2022, then you can consider applying under the Express Entry program.
Before you apply under this program you must first make sure that you are eligible to apply for the program. For this you must score 67 points out of 100. Applicants score points on factors such as age, language, education and work experience.
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Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
Another important aspect of the Express Entry program is the Comprehensive Ranking System or the CRS.
The CRS is a points-based system that is used to score and assess immigrants. Using the CRS, a score is given to the immigrants registered in the Express Entry pool. Based on the CRS score, Invitation to Apply (ITA) to apply for a PR visa is issued to Express Entry candidates.
Immigration candidates who submit their profiles to the Express Entry pool are assigned a CRS score out of 1200 points. The Express Entry draw is conducted at regular intervals and each draw has a different CRS score. Those who meet the required CRS score for that particular draw are invited to apply for the PR visa. Your chances of being eligible for the draw improves if you have a high CRS score.
The assessment factors for the CRS score include:
- Skills
- Education
- Language ability
- Work experience
- Other factors
The CRS score is determined by the average score of all the applicants in the Express Entry draw pooI. The CRS score is directly proportional to the average CRS score of candidates in the pool. The higher the average, the higher the CRS cut-off score. So, it is important that you have the highest to get an ITA from the Express Entry draw.
If you do not meet the required CRS score you will have to find ways to improve your points.
Before we look at how you can improve your CRS points, let us examine the factors that determine your CRS score.
- Age: You can score the maximum points if you are between 18-35 years. Those above or below
- this age will gain lesser points.
- Education: Your minimum educational qualification must be equal to the higher secondary education level in Canada. Higher level of educational qualification means more points.
- Work experience: To score the minimum points you should have at least one year of work experience. If you have more years of work experience you will gain more points. Canadian work experience also gives you more points
- Language ability: You must have at least 6 bands in your IELTS equivalent to CLB 7 to be eligible to apply and score the minimum points. Higher scores mean more points.
- Adaptability: You can score ten points on the adaptability factor if your family members or close relatives are living in Canada and will be able to support you when you move in there. You can also gain points if your spouse or legal partner is ready to migrate with you to Canada.
Human capital and spouse common law partner factors: You can score a maximum of 500 points under both these factors. Your human capital score will be calculated based on the criteria mentioned above.
Regarding the points you can score under the spouse/common law partner factor, you can score a maximum of 500 points if your spouse/common-law partner is not coming with you to Canada. You can score a maximum of 460 points if your spouse is coming with you to Canada.
| Human capital factor | Accompanied by spouse/common law partner | Not accompanied by spouse/common law partner |
| Age | 100 | 110 |
| Educational Qualification | 140 | 150 |
| Language proficiency | 150 | 160 |
| Canadian work experience | 70 | 80 |
Skill Transferability: You can gain a maximum of 100 points under this category. The three important factors considered under Skill Transferability include:
Education: A high-level of language proficiency and a post-secondary degree or Canadian work experience combined with a post-secondary degree can give you 50 points.
Work Experience: Foreign work experience combined with high-level language proficiency or Canadian work experience with foreign work experience will give you 50 points.
Canadian qualification: A certificate of qualification with a high level of language proficiency will give you 50 points.
| Education | Maximum Points |
| Language Skills (English/French) + Education | 50 |
| Canadian Work Experience + Education | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience | Maximum Points |
| Language Skills (English/French) + Foreign Work Experience | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience + Canadian Work Experience | 50 |
| Certificate of Qualification (Trades) | Maximum Points |
| Language Skills (English/French) + Education Certificate | 50 |
Additional points: It is possible to gain a maximum of 600 points based on various factors. Here is a breakdown of the points for the various factors.
| Factor | Maximum points |
| Sibling in Canada who is a citizen or PR visa holder | 15 |
| French language proficiency | 30 |
| Post-secondary education in Canada | 30 |
| Arranged employment | 200 |
| PNP nomination | 600 |
CRS points for Express Entry draws in 2021
A look at the Express Entry draws held so far in 2021 show that the CRS score requirements for the draws ranged between 300 to 1200 points.
CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of October 12, 2021
| CRS score range | Number of candidates |
| 601-1200 | 693 |
| 501-600 | 3,225 |
| 451-500 | 40,679 |
| 491-500 | 1,857 |
| 481-490 | 4,796 |
| 471-480 | 12,820 |
| 461-470 | 11,332 |
| 451-460 | 9,874 |
| 401-450 | 44,341 |
| 441-450 | 8,912 |
| 431-440 | 9,539 |
| 421-430 | 7,119 |
| 411-420 | 8,631 |
| 401-410 | 10,140 |
| 351-400 | 56,847 |
| 301-350 | 31,597 |
| 0-300 | 5,751 |
| Total | 183,133 |
Source-canada.ca
The figures in this table represent the total number of participants in the pool at the time of the invitation round.
Immigration for 2022
As per the Canadian government, the immigration target set by the government for 2022 is 390,000. Most of these immigrants (58 percent) are expected to come through economic class programs, of which the Express Entry program is an important part.
Having a high CRS score will work to your advantage if you plan to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry program.
Improve your CRS score
Increase your language score: This is arguably one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to improve your CRS score, and there are two options- become fluent in a second language or simply take your first language test again.
You can earn the maximum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of CLB 9, so if you’ve received a lower score, there’s always potential for improvement. For example, if you are already fluent in English and have always desired to study French, you may be eligible for an additional 22 points if you apply with your spouse or partner, and 24 points if you apply alone.
Apart from this, your French language skills can give you additional points. If you speak French, you may be eligible for up to 50 bonus points under Canada’s Express Entry immigration system.
Candidates who have demonstrated proficiency in both French and English will gain up to 50 additional CRS points, up from the previous 30.
Candidates with proven French aptitude will receive an additional 25 points from the government, even if they do not have excellent English skills. This had previously been set at 15 bonus points.
Increase your years of work experience: If you’re applying for a Canadian visa from outside the country and don’t have more than three years of work experience, it’s a good idea to add a year or two to your job experience to obtain additional skills transferability points. The same is true if you are already working in Canada on a temporary work permit. In fact, you’ll be able to claim more CRS points if you have five years or more of Canadian work experience, so strive for that. Also, when you create your Express Entry profile, make sure to mention that you are still employed in Canada so that your points will automatically increase as your work experience grows.
Apply under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Applying for a PR visa under the PNP will get you 600 additional points for your Express Entry profile if you get an invitation.
Get a job offer in Canada: Getting a job offer in Canada before you move is always a good idea, but it’s vital to remember that it must match specific conditions if you want to claim points for it. It must be a full-time, ongoing paid employment offer for at least one year, and your employer must make the offer in writing. With this, you will be able to add up to 200 CRS points to your score.
Get additional educational qualification: Even though this will take time, it can effectively assist you in improving your CRS score. With a higher degree of education, you will not only be able to earn more human capital points, but you will also be able to earn more skills transferability points.
Apply with your spouse: When you apply for a visa with your spouse, you can get bonus points for both of you. Language skills of your spouse will be worth 20 points. The level of education and Canadian work experience of your spouse will be worth 10 points in each category. As a result, you can add up to 40 points to your CRS score.
If you make efforts to improve your CRS score and ensure that it is above average then you have better chances of receiving an ITA and migrating to Canada in 2022 through the Express Entry program.
If you are looking to Work, Study, Invest, Visit, or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.