Low CRS score is not a deterrent in migrating to Canada

If you are planning to migrate to Canada under the Express Entry system but have doubts on whether you have the required CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points to qualify for an Express Entry profile. But the fact is a low CRS score should not discourage you from trying to enter the Express Entry pool. And the good news is there is still a very good chance that you will enter the Express Entry pool. Let us see how this is possible.

Express Entry and CRS

The CRS is a points-based system that is used to score and assess immigrants. It is used to give a score to the profile of immigrants and provide a ranking in the Express Entry pool. The assessment fields for the score include:

• Skills
• Education
• Language ability
• Work experience
• Other factors

 Every applicant in the Express Entry system is assigned a CRS score out of 1200 points and if he scores highest points under the CRS, he will get an ITA for the PR visa. The CRS score keeps changing with every Express Entry draw which is held approximately every two weeks by the Canadian government.

Factors that determine the CRS core

The CRS score has four important factors. Your profile will be given a score based on these factors.

The CRS score factors include:

• Human capital factors
• Spouse or common-law partner factors
• Skill transferability
• Additional points

Making it to the Express Entry pool

If you get into the Express Entry pool, there are very good chances of migrating to Canada irrespective of your CRS score.  the reasons for this are:

Variable CRS score:  The CRS score as we mentioned earlier varies with every Express Entry draw, so if you do not have the required score for the present draw, there is every chance that you will meet the required score in a future draw and get an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Improve your CRS score: Even after you enter the Express Entry pool and your CRS score does not meet the requirement, you can find ways to improve it . Here are some ways you can consider:

Here are some ways to improve your CRS score:

• Improve your language score: If you score well in language tests such as the IELTS, you will have significant addition to your CRS score. For instance, if you score a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 9 in the language test, you will get up to 136 direct points added to your CRS score. You can also add up to 24 points by appearing for a language test in French.
• Get a job offer: A job offer from a Canadian employer will give you 200 additional points.
• Get education in Canada: If you complete a recognized degree or diploma in Canada, you can get up to 30 extra points.
• Apply for PR with your spouse: Applying for the visa with your spouse can give you both additional points. Your spouse’s language proficiency will be worth 20 points, while the level of education and Canadian work experience can amount to 10 points under each category. So, you can get up to 40 points to add to your CRS score.
• Get an LMIA approved job offer: You can add up to 600 points to your CRS score if you secure a job offer that is recognized by the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), from an employer in Canada.
• Continue working: If you have less than three years of full-time work experience, you have the chance to add points to your CRS score if you continue working.

Apply under a Provincial Nominee Program linked to Express Entry: If you get a provincial nomination under the PNP you have applied for which is linked to the Express Entry system, you will have 600 points added to your CRS score. For instance, if the required CRS score in a particular draw is 825 and you have already received your provincial nomination, you will have 600 points added to your CRS score and will need to score only 225 points to receive an ITA.

Immigration targets 2021-2023

The government of Canada announced its immigration targets for the coming three years:

• 2021: 401,000 immigrants
• 2022: 411,000 immigrants
• 2023: 421,000 immigrants

The government also announced that 60% of this target will be met through economic class programs like Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program. This means there will be a high number of Express Entry draws which may have lower CRS score requirements.

If you are planning to migrate to Canada in 2021, then you must make efforts to enter the Express Entry pool and even if you have a low CRS score, you can improve it and have better chances of receiving an ITA and migrating to Canada.