How Canada Uses CRS to Select Permanent Residents

If you’re thinking about moving to Canada permanently, it’s important to know how the government decides who gets invited to apply. A key part of this process is the Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS.

What is the CRS and why does it matter?

Canada’s Express Entry system uses CRS scores to rank candidates who want permanent residency. Think of it as a points system that rates factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills. The higher your score, the more likely you are to get an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Every so often, the Canadian government holds draws where they invite the highest-ranked candidates from the pool. If your score meets or beats the cut-off in one of these draws, you can apply for PR.

Who can get a CRS score?

To receive a CRS score, you first need to qualify under one of these immigration programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

You also need to plan to live outside Quebec, which has its own immigration system.

How is the CRS score calculated?

CRS scores come from several categories, such as:

• Core human capital factors: Age, education, language skills, and work experience.
• Skill transferability: Combinations of education, work experience, and language proficiency.
• Additional factors: Things like having a provincial nomination or advanced French proficiency.

Each factor is worth a certain number of points. For example, being in your late 20s earns more points than being older. Similarly, stronger language test scores or a higher level of education can significantly boost your total.

What’s the typical cut-off?

The cut-off score changes from draw to draw, depending on the number of invitations the government plans to issue. Some draws are program-specific, while others are general. For instance, a recent CEC-specific draw had a cut-off of 527 points, while a French-language proficiency draw had a cut-off of 466 points.

Can you improve your CRS score?

Absolutely! Here are a few common ways to increase your CRS score:

• Improve your language test scores. Re-taking the test and achieving a higher score can add more points.
• Gain more work experience. Additional years of skilled work, especially in Canada, can boost your score.
• Obtain a provincial nomination. This is a big one—nominations can add 600 points to your total.
• Complete another credential. Earning a new diploma or degree might help you score higher.

What if your CRS score is low?

Even if your score is currently low, you can still submit an Express Entry profile. Some provincial programs nominate candidates with lower scores, and category-specific draws can sometimes have more lenient cut-offs. You can also continue improving your qualifications while your profile is in the pool.

In summary:
Canada uses the CRS to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. By understanding the factors that go into your score and working to improve them, you can increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency.