Top 10 tips to boost your CRS score

Tejaswini Panigrahi
[Published 01 Feb, 2022 | 04:47 PM]
About Author - 14 min read
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Canada's Express Entry system is not just one of the most famous but also one of the quickest ways to migrate to Canada. Every year, large numbers of applicants apply with the expectation of realizing their dream of building a new home in Canada.

However, you may be unaware that it is no longer content to simply submit your application, obtain your CRS score, and wait for an invitation to apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency.

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The Express Entry system has seen continued growth in recent years, according to the 2019 Express Entry draw report, but only 72 percent of all Express Entry applicants were found eligible. There were a total of 93,216 Express Entry applicants who did not make it into the draw pool.

The majority of those who were accepted into the Express Entry draw pool in 2019 scored between 350 and 399 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). With an average CRS cut-off score of 461 (ranging from 438 to 475), this meant that many opportunities were lost simply because applicants did not claim the maximum number of points available to them.

But how do you know if you're optimizing your CRS score? This article will teach you how to improve your CRS Score and, as a result, your chances of moving to Canada.

What is the Comprehensive Ranking System score (CRS score)?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a procedure used by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to determine how you will score among other candidates in the Express Entry draw pool. The following criteria are used to evaluate your Express Entry profile:

• Skills
• Educational qualifications
• language ability
• work experience
• and other factors all play a role

You will be assigned points in different categories, and your marks will be added together to determine your CRS score.

When you apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry System, it is used to rank you. You will be able to apply through one of three immigration programs in Canada:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program
• The Federal Skilled Trade Program
• The Canada Experience Class

Every stream has its own set of requirements that must be met in order to be eligible.

It is important to note that in order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must score at least 67 out of a possible 100 points. This is scored differently than the CRS and serves as an initial evaluation of whether or not you are eligible to apply through this program. Once this is determined, your points will be assigned based on the CRS criteria.

The higher the CRS score, the better the chances of receiving the ITA for the Canadian PR Visa.

But, before we get into how you can improve your CRS score, let's look at how your CRS points will be determined.

How are the CRS points calculated?

When you apply through Canada's Express Entry system, you can earn up to 1,200 CRS points. There are two major categories in which you can earn CRS points:

• Core points = 600 points; and
• Additional points = 600 points

Core CRS Points

• Skills and experience factors
• Spouse or common-law partner factors eg. language skills and education; and
• Skills transferability eg. education and work experience.

Additional CRS Points

• Canadian degrees, diplomas, or certificates
• A valid job offer
• A nomination from a province or territory
• A brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident
• Strong French language skills

CORE POINTS + ADDITIONAL POINTS = TOTAL SCORE

What constitutes a good CRS score?

The average CRS score of applicants who made it into the Express Entry Draw pool in 2019 ranged between 350 and 499, but this did not guarantee them an ITA. The average CRS cut-off score ranged from 439 to 456, with a mean of 461.

The average CRS cut-off score has risen slightly to around 551 in 2020. Because the CRS score fluctuates on a regular basis, it is critical that you take advantage of any opportunities to improve your CRS score.

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What is the required CRS score to obtain Canadian Permanent Residency (PR)?

Again, this is dependent on the draw pool's cut-off score, but in our opinion, the higher the better, but if you can score higher than 500, you should be fine in the next draw. Calculate your CRS score with us!

Top 10 Ways to Boost Your CRS Score

As previously stated, Canada's Express Entry draws are competitive, so once you've forwarded your online profile and discovered that your score is lower than the average CRS score, it's time to step up your play and assert those extra points!

Let's take a closer look at the top 10 most important ideas on how to improve your opportunities of immigrating to Canada through the Express Entry system by raising your CRS score.

1. Raise Your Language Test Scores

This is probably one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your CRS score, and there are two options:

• learn another language
• Simply redo your first language test

The highest Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level you can accomplish is CLB 9, so if you did scorelessly, there's always scope for improvement. For example, if you are already fluent in English but have always wished to learn French, you could receive an extra 22 points if you apply with your spouse or partner and 24 points if you apply alone.

2. Gain More Work Experience

If you're trying to apply for a Canadian visa from outside Canada and don't have more than three years of work experience, it might be a smart option to gain an additional year or two to gain more skill sets transferability points. The same is true if you are already working in Canada on a temporary work permit.

In fact, you'll be able to claim more CRS points for Canadian work experience, so if possible, aim for five years or more. Also, when you create your Express Entry profile, make sure to indicate that you are still currently employed in Canada so that your points automatically increase as your work experience grows.

3. Obtain a Provincial Nomination (PN)

You may wonder why a Provincial Nominee Program is so coveted. It's worth an amazing 600 CRS points, and while the maximum CRS score is 1200, having a PN already puts you half the way there. So far, the CRS cut-off scores for 2020 have ranged between 431 and 808 points, implying that even with a high score of 800, you would only need an additional 200 points to qualify. The average cut-off score for overall draws in 2020 has been 551 CRS points, which means that just having a PN may be enough to get you in, but let's look at the worst-case scenario!

You could easily earn 100 points simply by being between the ages of 20 and 29, with a three-year qualification worth a supplementary 112 to 120 points. Now just add those 600 bonus points for your PN and you're done!

4. Complete an additional qualification

We all know that completing a further educational program takes time, but it can help you improve your CRS score. With a higher level of education, you will not only be able to earn more human capital points, but you may also earn more skills transferability points.

When you create your Express Entry online profile, don't forget to express interest in your preferred province. The IRCC is gradually allocating more spots for PNP Express Entry-linked applicants, so don't miss out!

5. Land a Job in Canada

Acquiring a job offer in Canada before you start moving is always a good idea, but keep in mind that if you want to claim points for it, it must meet certain criteria. It must be a full-time, continuous paid employment offer for at least one year, and it must be in writing from your employer. You will not only make things easier for yourself once you arrive in Canada if you have a valid job offer, but you will also be able to assign up to 200 CRS points to your score!

6. Hire a Recruiter to Assist You in Finding Work in Canada

If you're having trouble finding a job online, consider hiring a professional. They can help you with your digital resume and have access to a large database of potential employers nationwide and jobs in Canada that match your qualifications, skills, and work experience. It's critical to maximize your chances as much as possible, so enlist the assistance of a Canadian recruitment agency!

7. Having a sibling in Canada can help too!

Did you know that simply having a brother or sister who lives in Canada and is either a citizen or has permanent residency increases your chances of success? That's right, simply having a sibling by blood, adoption, marriage, or common-law partnership entitles you to an extra 15 points, but you must be able to provide proof of your relationship, such as a birth certificate.

If you do not meet the requirements for Express Entry, you may be able to apply through Canada's family sponsorship program.

8. Submit an Application with Your Spouse

Do you intend to immigrate to Canada as a couple? Why not submit your Canada visa applications at the same time? You can significantly improve your CRS score by submitting your application with your spouse or common-law partner.

You could receive up to 20 points for your language skills, 10 points if either of you has Canadian work experience, and another 10 points for your educational qualifications, for a total of 40 points. This is not to say that you won't be able to claim these points as a single applicant; it's just that you'll have to do so in other areas.

Don't be reluctant to experiment. Determine who will be the primary applicant based on who has the most CRS points. You can, of course, apply separately, but doing so increases the likelihood that your loved one will not receive an ITA. If you both receive ITAs, you must submit your applications for permanent residence together.

9. Make use of a CRS Calculator

If you're not sure how to improve your CRS score or what steps to take, the best option is to use a CRS calculator. As previously stated, the government has a fantastic CRS tool that is free for everyone to use; however, some immigration firms will either provide a free evaluation or have developed their own CRS calculator to provide a more accurate result that is designed for specific needs.

Find out your CRS score now by using our CRS calculator or contact our immigration experts to give you an accurate score based on your profile.

10. Keep up with the latest Express Entry immigration news

Did you know that simply having a brother or sister who lives in Canada and is either a citizen or has permanent residency increases your chances of success? Simply having a sibling by blood, adoption, marriage, or common-law partnership entitles you to an extra 15 points, but you must be able to provide evidence of your relationship, such as a birth certificate.

If you are not eligible for Express Entry, you may be eligible to apply through Canada's family sponsorship program or PNPs.

Keeping up with all these things can be hectic. So, it is advisable to consult an expert immigration consultancy to help you throughout your visa application process and with the post-landing services as well.

Nationwide Visas is one of the best Canadian Immigration consultants in India and specializes in all types of Visa processes. Its dynamic team of expert immigration consultants, documentation experts, and endless efforts of achieving success for you, will definitely help you throughout your Visa journey.