Individuals applying for Canada immigration through the Express Entry system are required to keep a close eye on the minimum CRS (Comprehensive Ranking Score) threshold for all the Canada Express Entry 2023 draws. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) conducts these draws every 2 to 3 weeks and offers candidates with points above the minimum CRS threshold an official ITA (Invitation to Apply) so they can obtain permanent residence.
The cutoff for CRS has changed considerably in 2022, which went from 557 on July 6th, 2022, to 491 on November 23rd, 2022.
In this blog, we will predict the good CRS score for Canada PR in 2023.
What is CRS?
CRS is an acronym for Comprehensive Ranking System. It is the points system, which is used for ranking applicants, who are seeking permanent residency through Canada Express Entry.
Express Entry is the most popular and fastest way for immigrants to obtain permanent resident status in Canada. Millions of skilled and experienced immigrants submit their profiles every year. Sadly, not everybody can be invited to apply for permanent residency.
CRS scores are used for ranking the candidates in the pool. If the CRS score for Canada PR is higher, your chances of receiving an ITA (Invitation to Apply) are higher. It will take you one step further to realizing your Canadian dream.
How the CRS Points are calculated?
The highest number of CRS points that a candidate can have is 1,200. CRS points are awarded and they are based on the candidate’s education, skills, experience, adaptability, and more.
CRS Point = Core/human capital factors + spouse factor + skill transferability factors + additional points
Core/human capital factors include
If your spouse is immigrating with you, the maximum points that you can get from human capital factors is 460. However, without a spouse, you can get up to 500 points. As a result, you can look forward to getting a good CRS score for Canada PR.
The following are the factors (assuming with a spouse):
- Age – up to 100 points
- Education – up to 140 points
- Official Language Proficiency – up to 128 points
- Second Language Proficiency – up to 22 points
- Work Experience in Canada – up to 70 points
Spouse Factors
If you choose to immigrate with your spouse or common-law partner, you can get extra 40 points.
- Education of the Spouse – up to 10 points
- Language Proficiency of the Spouse – 20 points
- Canadian Work Experience of the Spouse – 10 points
Skill Transferability Factors
This is the section that evaluates your suitability, which is based on the blend of your skills and qualification. You can grab 100 points.
- Language Skills + Post-Secondary Education – up to 50 points
- Canadian Work Experience + Post-Secondary Education – up to 50 points
Additional Points
There are various ways to earn extra points. But sadly, the extra points each candidate can get are limited to 600 points.
- A Sibling Living in Canada – 15 points
- French Language Skill – 50 points
- Post-Secondary Education – 30 points
- Arranged Employment in Canada – 200 points
- Provincial Nomination – 600 points
How is Express Entry Changing?
The Express Entry system in Canada, which hosts various programs, including Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class, is set to go through a most important change in 2023. That is because the government of Canada recently passed Bill C-19.
This Bill aims at bringing in skilled foreign workers in special in-demand occupations. This signifies Express Entry draws will now comprise special draws for particular groups. These groups could contain people in specific occupations, education, or those with specific language skills.
Bill C-19 is believed to come into effect in March 2023. Following this, the number of applicants chosen through each of the existing draw methods is anticipated to decline.
Draw by Draw CRS Cut-Off Forecasts for 2023
If you are wondering “Will the CRS score go down in 2023?”, the answer is ‘Yes, it will’.
We can make a judgment about what the CRS cut-off will be in 2023 based on the current trend. Our predictions are summarized in the below-mentioned below:
| Draw Date | Number of ITAs Issued | Minimum Cut-Off Score |
| Nov 23rd, 2022 | 4,750 | 491 |
| Dec 7th, 2022 | 4,750 | 489 |
| Dec 21st, 2022 | 4,750 | 488 |
| Jan 4th, 2023 | 4,750 | 486 |
| Jan 18th, 2023 | 4,750 | 485 |
| Feb 1st, 2023 | 4,750 | 484 |
| Feb 15th, 2023 | 4,750 | 483 |
| March 1st, 2023 | 4,750 | 481 |
| March 15th, 2023 | 4,750 | 480 |
Will CRS Go Down Below 470 in 2023?
The chances of the CRS cutoff falling below 470 this year are quite low. This is owing to the constant arrival of individuals with the highest CRS scores entering the Express Entry pool.
The CRS cutoff is falling due to the number of applicants that are added to the high score ranges being surpassed by the number of ITAs (Invitations to Apply) being issued.
Assuming the number of ITAs, which is issued during each round remains constant, a good CRS score for Canada PR could settle somewhere in the range of 470 to 480 in 2023.
Moreover, the CRS cutoff will be impacted once Bill C-19 takes effect in March and will make the prediction for CRS score 2023 quite a challenge.
What is a Good CRS Score in 2023?
A CRS score for Canada PR in 2023 must be between 470 and 495. However, Bill C-19 could assist some categories of workers in particular occupations with low CRS scores to receive ITAs through its targeted draws.
What Am I Supposed to Do If My CRS Score is Low?
If the CRS score is less than 470, the following are some crucial tips you can consider to obtain permanent residence.
1. Get a Job Offer
When you get a full-time job offer from an employer in Canada, it will earn you anywhere from 50 to 200 CRS points.
2. Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs
Now you can apply for PR (Permanent Residence) through one of the many Provincial Nominee Programs. Some of these programs seem more appropriate for entrepreneurs, international graduates, and individuals in specific occupations compared to the Express Entry programs.
3. Use the Study Permit to PR Route
You can come to the country as an international student on a study permit and then apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit once you have graduated. You can work in Canada on this work permit and obtain great work experience.
This work experience can then be used for giving a boost to your CRS score when you apply for permanent residence through the CEC (Canadian Experience Class) program.
4. Use the Visitor Visa to Work Permit Route
You can come to Canada on a visitor visa and search for jobs. If you are able to manage to convince an employer to hire you and complete an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), you can apply for a work permit in Canada. Moreover, you can work in Canada and use the work experience you gained in Canada to improve your CRS points.
5. Learn French
Depending on your language proficiency in French, you can easily get up to 50 CRS points. Learning French plays a very crucial role as it helps you get a few extra CRS points, which could be your ticket to getting a Canada PR.
What is the Lowest CRS Cut-Off Score Ever Recorded?
Well, the lowest ever recorded CRS cut-off score was 75. This score came from the draw of February 13, 2021, which witnessed 27,332 CEC applicants given Invitations to Apply. Prior to that draw, the lowest CRS cut-off score was 199 points, which came from the draw held on May 16, 2017.
However, these draws must be taken as irregularity. A CRS point of 0-300 does not seem enough for an ITA anytime soon. That is owing to the fact that according to the IRCC CRS score distribution of applicants, there are 198,061 applicants in the pool. And only 5,736 of the candidates have scored in the range of 0-300. For any CRS score lower than 300 for fetching an ITA now, Canada will invite more than 192,325 candidates to obtain permanent residency status. That is extremely doubtful.
Why Work with Oasis Resource Management?
If you are willing to know whether your CRS points will be enough to immigrate to Canada in 2023, get in touch with Oasis Resource Management. Our immigration experts can evaluate your background and determine ways to help you boost your CRS score for Canada PR. The Canada Express Entry cut-off requirement varies from draw to draw.
