Canada’s Express Entry system, launched in January 2015, remains one of the most advanced immigration systems in the world. It was designed to better align the skills of immigrants with the needs of the labour market. If you’re aiming to secure an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, boosting your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is crucial. Here is a guide to help you improve your score and enhance your chances of receiving that all-important ITA.
Understanding the CRS
The CRS assigns a score to candidates based on various factors including skills, work experience, education, and language abilities. The federal government then identifies the highest-ranked candidates in the pool and issues ITAs for permanent residence. The good news is that you can improve your CRS score while in the pool without submitting a new application.
Points Distribution Overview:
- Total Available: 1,200
- Provincial Nomination: 600
- Senior Management Job Offer (TEER 0 Major group 00): 200
- Other Listed Job Offer (NOC TEER 1, 2, or 3, or any TEER 0 other than Major group 00): 50
- Three years’ Canadian post-secondary education OR master’s OR professional degree OR doctorate: 30
- One or two years of Canadian post-secondary education: 15
- Other skills, work experience, education: 500
- Transferable skills and combinations: 100
- Sibling in Canada: 15
How Can a Candidate Increase Their Express Entry CRS Score?
Entering the Express Entry pool is just the beginning of your journey to obtaining Canadian permanent residence. Here are some strategies to boost your CRS score:
1. Keep a Broad Perspective
Often candidates focus too much on one factor, such as education, assuming it will be enough. However, points can be scored in multiple areas. Assess each factor and identify where improvements can be made. Small improvements in multiple areas can lead to a significant increase in your overall score.
2. Get a Provincial Nomination
A provincial nomination is worth 600 points and can catapult you to the top of the pool. Stay updated on different provinces’ priority occupations and be ready to apply when categories open.
Tips for Securing a Provincial Nomination:
- Keep your application up to date.
- Identify a hiring sponsor employer.
- Visit provinces to gain extra points.
3. Secure a Job Offer
A job offer can provide up to 200 points. Conduct a comprehensive job search, and strongly consider visiting Canada to increase your chances of landing a job through face-to-face interactions with employers.
4. Hire an Employment Professional
Employment professionals can help you improve your digital resume, provide access to databases of potential employers, and offer tips to stand out from others in the pool.
5. Boost Your Education
Canadian Education Points Under Express Entry
| Level Attained | Points Awarded |
|—————-|—————–|
| High School | 0 |
| One or two-year post-secondary | 15 |
| Three-year post-secondary, master’s, professional degree, or doctorate | 30 |
Strategies to Increase Education Points:
- Obtain more degrees or diplomas from Canadian institutions.
- Get all your qualifications assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
6. Applying With Your Spouse or Partner
Choosing a Principal Applicant:
- Assess qualifications and experience of both partners.
- Consider the age and in-demand job categories.
Boosting CRS Score with Spouse:
- Spouses can add up to 40 points by improving their Canadian work experience, education, or language skills.
7. Increase Your Work Experience
Non-Canadian Experience: Up to three years of non-Canadian experience can add points under combination factors.
Canadian Experience: More valuable than non-Canadian experience, awarded points.
Additional Experience: Keep your profile updated with all experiences as provinces look for expertise in specific areas that change frequently.
8. Improve Your Language Skills
Language skills can significantly affect your CRS score. Reaching Canadian Benchmark Level 9 or higher can add up to 100 points on top of the 260 available in combination with other factors. Keep taking lessons and retaking tests to improve your English and/or French proficiency.
Boosting your CRS score is a multifaceted process that involves continuous assessment and improvement in several areas. From securing job offers and provincial nominations to enhancing education and language skills, each step can bring you closer to receiving an ITA.
9. Pay Attention to Targetted Draws
Work experience for merely 6 months in a STEM occupation can lead to an Invitation to Apply. Consider learning French as well given there are draws for French-speakers. Of course, there are targeted draws for fields in health care and the trades too.
10. Consider Moving to Another Part of Canada
There is a new Northern and Rural Program coming in Fall 2024 which will be a permanent program. There is also the Atlantic Immigration Program. Some of these programs provide easier pathways to PR.
Ready to take your Express Entry application to the next level? Contact us to book a consultation. Let’s turn your Canadian dream into a reality!