The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based mechanism employed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to evaluate and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool for immigration to Canada. The CRS assesses factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other criteria to determine eligibility for permanent residency.
Key Components of the CRS
Core/Human Capital Factors: These include age, education, language skills in English and/or French, and Canadian work experience.
Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors: If applicable, the education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience of your spouse or common-law partner.
Skill Transferability Factors: Combinations of education, foreign work experience, and language proficiency that can enhance your adaptability.
Additional Points: Factors such as having a sibling in Canada, proficiency in French, or receiving a provincial nomination.
As of March 25, 2025, IRCC has removed points for job offers from the CRS calculation.
Updates in 2024–2025
- – Job offers no longer give extra CRS points (as of March 2025)
- – Category-based draws now target specific occupations (like healthcare, STEM, trades, or French-speaking candidates)
- – French and Canadian work experience are now more valuable than ever.
Strategies to Improve Your CRS Score
Enhance Language Proficiency: Achieving higher scores in language tests like IELTS can significantly boost your CRS score. For instance, obtaining Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 9 or higher can maximize points in this category.
Pursue Further Education: Completing additional educational credentials can increase your score. For example, obtaining a one-year post-secondary certificate in addition to your existing degree can add points.
Gain More Work Experience: Accumulating additional years of work experience, particularly Canadian work experience, can enhance your score.
Obtain a Provincial Nomination: Receiving a nomination from a Canadian province or territory can add 600 points to your CRS score, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Leverage Spousal Factors: If you have a spouse or common-law partner, their language proficiency, education, and work experience can contribute additional points to your overall score.
Every upgrade counts—make sure your Express Entry profile reflects your latest improvements.
