Canada’s Express Entry system is one of the most popular immigration pathways for skilled workers who want to move to Canada. If you are planning to apply for Express Entry, it is important to understand how the points are calculated. The system uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess your profile based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language ability.
The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. If you are unsure about your eligibility, calculating your points can help you determine whether you meet the criteria or need to improve your profile. In this guide, we will explain how points are calculated and provide tips on how to maximize your score.
Understanding the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The Express Entry system ranks candidates using the CRS. This scoring system assigns points based on various factors to determine a candidate’s eligibility. The CRS score is out of 1,200 points, and the highest-ranking candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residency.
Factors That Affect Your Express Entry Points
Your points are calculated based on the following factors:
- Age: Younger candidates receive higher points. If you are between 20-29 years old, you get the highest score of 110 points (if applying without a spouse) or 100 points (if applying with a spouse). After 30, your points decrease gradually.
- Education: Your educational qualifications impact your Express Entry score. A doctoral degree earns the highest points (150), while a high school diploma gets the lowest (30). If you have studied in Canada, you may receive additional points.
- Language Ability: Proficiency in English and/or French is crucial. You are awarded points based on your score in IELTS (or equivalent test). A high score in reading, writing, speaking, and listening can significantly increase your Express Entry points.
- Work Experience: The number of years you have worked in a skilled occupation also determines your points. If you have over five years of experience in a skilled job, you can earn up to 80 points.
- Canadian Work Experience: If you have worked in Canada, you can earn additional points. A minimum of one year of Canadian work experience can boost your score significantly.
- Job Offer: Having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer can add 50-200 points to your profile, depending on the type of job.
- Provincial Nomination: If you receive a nomination from a Canadian province, you will get 600 additional points, which almost guarantees an ITA.
- Adaptability Factors: Points are awarded for factors like having a sibling in Canada, a spouse’s education, or previous Canadian work/study experience.
How to Calculate Your Express Entry Score
To calculate your points, you need to add up the points from each category:
1. Core Human Capital Factors (Maximum 500 points)
- Age
- Education
- Language Proficiency
- Canadian Work Experience
2. Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors (Maximum 40 points)
- Spouse’s Education
- Spouse’s Language Ability
- Spouse’s Canadian Work Experience
3. Skill Transferability Factors (Maximum 100 points)
- Combination of Education and Language Ability
- Combination of Education and Work Experience
- Combination of Canadian and Foreign Work Experience
4. Additional Factors (Maximum 600 points)
- Job Offer
- Provincial Nomination
- Canadian Study Experience
- French Language Skills
- Sibling in Canada
Steps to Improve Your Express Entry Score
If your Express Entry score is not high enough, here are some ways to improve it:
- Improve Your Language Score: Retaking the IELTS or CELPIP and scoring higher can give you more points.
- Gain More Work Experience: If possible, work for more years in a skilled job before applying.
- Apply for a Provincial Nomination: A nomination adds 600 points, which can guarantee an ITA.
- Study in Canada: Completing a program in Canada can increase your score.
- Get a Job Offer: A valid job offer from a Canadian employer can boost your points.
- Include Your Spouse’s Credentials: If your spouse has high education or language scores, it can improve your overall score.
Checking the Latest CRS Cut-Off Score
The Express Entry draws happen every two weeks, and the CRS cut-off score changes each time. To stay updated, regularly check the latest CRS draw scores on the official immigration website.
Understanding how to calculate your Express Entry points is essential for anyone planning to immigrate to Canada. By knowing how the CRS system works, you can take steps to improve your score and increase your chances of receiving an ITA.
Whether it’s improving your language proficiency, gaining more work experience, or applying for a provincial nomination, there are many ways to boost your score. If you need help with the process, consider seeking professional guidance to ensure you meet all the requirements.
