If you wish to migrate to Canada, then there are various immigration pathways to choose from. If you have the required points for eligibility which is 67 points out of 100, you can make your application through the Express Entry system.
An important aspect of the Express Entry system is the CRS score of applicants. The CRS is a merit-based points system where points are given to candidates based on certain 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.
Here is a quick recap of the application steps in the Express Entry program and the role of the CRS score in the application process for Canada PR..
Express Entry application process
Step 1: Create your Express Entry profile
After checking if you are eligible for a PR visa, in the first step, you will have to create your online Express Entry profile. The profile should include credentials that include age, work experience, education, language skills, etc.
Step 2: Complete your ECA
If you have done your education outside Canada, you should complete an Educational Credentials Assessment or ECA. This is to prove that your educational qualifications are equal to those awarded by the Canadian educational system.
Step 3: Complete your language ability tests
As the next step in the Express Entry program, you should take the required English language proficiency tests. The recommendation is a score of 6 bands in IELTS. Your test score should be less than 2 years old at the time of application.
Step 4: Calculate your CRS score
The profiles in the Express Entry pool are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Factors such as age, work experience, adaptability, etc. determine your CRS score. Your profile gets included in the Express Entry pool if you have the required CRS score.
Step 5: Get your Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If your profile gets selected from the Express Entry pool, provided you have the minimum score for the Express Entry draw. After this, you will get an ITA from the Canadian government after which you can start the documentation for your PR visa.
Factors that determine your CRS score
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
Human capital and spouse common law partner factors: Under both of these factors, you can get a maximum of 500 points. The factors listed above will be used to determine your human capital score.
If your spouse/common-law partner is not travelling to Canada with you, you can score a maximum of 500 points under the spouse/common-law partner component. If your spouse is accompanying you to Canada, you can earn up to 460 points.
| 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 |
| Adaptability | 70 | 80 |
Skill Transferability: This category allows you to earn up to 250 points. Skill Transferability takes into account three major factors:
- Education: The maximum number of points you can receive for your education degree is 150, which corresponds to a doctoral level university diploma. The lower your educational qualification, the fewer points you will receive.
- Work Experience: For five years or more of Canadian work experience, you can receive up to 70 points (with a spouse/common-law partner) or 80 points (without a spouse/common-law partner).
- Language proficiency: A certificate of qualification from Canada with a high degree of linguistic proficiency will earn you 50 points.
|
Skill transferability factors |
Accompanied by spouse/common law partner | Not accompanied by spouse/common law partner |
| ? Combination of (i) Education and (ii) Language proficiency OR Canadian work experience | 50 | 50 |
| ? Combination of (i) non-Canadian work experience and (ii) Language proficiency OR Canadian work experience | 50 | 50 |
| ? Combination of (i) a Certificate of qualification and (ii) Language proficiency | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 100 |
100 |
To calculate your exact CRS score, you will need to factor in the points from your language test results as well as those from your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your degree is not from a Canadian university.
If your degree is not from a Canadian university, you will need to add in the points from your language test results as well as those from your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to determine your exact CRS score.
CRS cut-off score
If the pool’s average cut-off score is greater, the CRS cut-off score will be higher. An applicant must ensure that he receives the greatest possible CRS score.
The number of applicants in the Express Entry pool and Canada’s immigration targets are used to generate the CRS score for each draw.
Knowing the components that go into determining your CRS score will help you figure out how to improve your score and earn the required number of points.