Strategies to boost your express entry CRS score
Canada’s Express Entry immigration system is highly competitive, requiring candidates to achieve high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores to receive invitations for permanent residency.
If your CRS score is lower than desired, there are several strategies to enhance it. This guide outlines effective methods for improving your score, whether you need a few points or a significant boost.
Understanding CRS Points Calculation
After submitting your Express Entry profile and receiving a CRS score, don’t adopt a passive approach. Your score can change dynamically, and actively seeking ways to improve it is crucial.
Some enhancements might only yield a few additional points, while others can contribute up to 600 points, substantially increasing your chances of receiving an invitation.
Potential Score Increases
The potential increase in your CRS score largely depends on your personal situation. One useful tool for assessing your potential score improvements is the Moving2Canada Express Entry CRS Calculator, where you can experiment with different scenarios.
Here are several areas where you might gain more points:
Sibling in Canada: If you or your partner has a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can claim an additional 15 points.
Education: Especially for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) candidates, educational qualifications can account for up to 200 CRS points. Ensure you list all completed education on your profile, as points are awarded regardless of the relevance to your current job.
Second Language Proficiency: Claim points for both English and French. Scoring well in French (CLB 7 or higher) can boost your score by 50 points and may give you access to category-based draws with lower cut-off scores.
Short-term Strategies to Improve CRS Score
To enhance your score quickly, consider the following options:
Retake Language Tests: Maximizing your language test scores can significantly impact your CRS. Language proficiency accounts for up to 260 points for individuals and up to 270 for couples. Achieving CLB level 9 in all areas can unlock additional points under the skill transferability section.
Long-term Strategies to Improve CRS Score
For more sustained improvements, consider these strategies:
Gain More Work Experience: Continued employment, especially in Canada, is crucial. Canadian work experience awards more points and automatically updates your CRS score as you gain more experience.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Securing a provincial nomination can add 600 points to your CRS score. Each province is increasingly targeting candidates from the Express Entry pool, offering significant opportunities.
Further Education: Completing additional educational programs can lead to a higher CRS score and points in the skill transferability section.
Job Offers: While job offers now provide fewer points than before, they remain a valuable factor in the CRS score calculation.
Learn a Second Language: Proficiency in both English and French can enhance your appeal to Canadian immigration authorities, making you a more competitive candidate.
Spouse or Partner Factors
If you plan to immigrate with your spouse or common-law partner, their language proficiency and education can contribute an additional 30 points to your overall score.
Conclusion
Consider all options available to maximize your CRS score, whether through short-term tactics or long-term strategies. Actively enhancing your profile can significantly increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
