How To Increase CRS Score For Canada Immigration?

When you apply for Canada PR, the first step is to check your CRS Score, which determines whether or not you are eligible for permanent residency. Candidates applying for the PR choose Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The process for these immigration programs is simple to follow, which also makes them popular. But just making an Express Entry profile does not assure you an Invitation to Apply (ITA). 

For that, you need a good CRS Score for Canada, which is based on several factors like age, education, language skills, work experience, skill transferability, etc. As more candidates are applying, the competition is getting intense. Thus, we have curated a list of essential tips to improve your CRS Score for Canada immigration.

How to Increase CRS Score for Canada Immigration

To qualify for immigration to Canada, we have shared a few tips that will make all the difference, help you score better, and qualify for an immigration program -

• Get a Canadian job offer 

Create a profile on online job portals like LinkedIn and connect with hiring managers in Canada. This will help you send your resume and cover letter directly. You can also look into the hidden job market by networking with other professionals in Canada in the field of your interest. Having a job offer from a Canadian employer can earn you up to 200 CRS points, making it easier for you to qualify for an ITA. 

• Obtain Provincial Nomination

Apply for Canada PR through Provincial Nominee Program as it will improve your chances. Also, remember that some provinces search for candidates from the larger Express Entry Pool. So make sure you research provinces as per their culture, job market, climate, etc., and add them to your profile. Getting a PNP certificate earns you 600 CRS points. Generally, the PNP cut-off is high around 700s, but a PNP nomination can compensate for a low CRS score and assure ITA.

• Carefully pick the primary applicant 

Spouses or common-law partners who wish to move to Canada should pre-decide the principal applicant. Though the scores of the secondary applicant add up, most of the CRS Score is based on the principal applicant’s information. Go through both of your qualifications, experience, language skills, etc. and see which is better. Use the CRS Score Calculator to determine your eligibility. It is crucial to note that once the application is submitted, the primary applicant cannot be changed. 

• Take the language test again for a better score

Don’t worry if your initial score in the IELTS exam is low. There is no limit on how many times you can take this test before submitting the application for Canada Immigration. However, the cost will add up every time you give the test. For the first official language test, the score can vary from 24 to 144 points, depending on how you perform in writing, speaking, reading, and listening. You can prepare and retake the language test to improve your score. The spouse can also take the test but the secondary applicant can only obtain 5 CRS points but it will still be useful if the score is just lower than the cut-off.

• Work on your second language proficiency

English and French are the official Canadian languages. You can get CLB 7 or more in French and CLB 5 or higher in English, which will get you 50 extra CRS points. You can learn a bit more of the second official language and take both language tests.

• Get your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Certificate

Most applicants applying for immigration get their highest educational credential assessed. But you can earn more CRS points if you show two or more post-secondary credentials, provided that the program is more than 2 years long. The ECA-assessing bodies charge per application, not the number of credentials. Therefore, you can get your education credentials assessed and save money. Applicants applying with their spouse or common-law partner can obtain additional 10 CRS points for foreign education but they must submit a separate ECA application.

• Obtain Canadian Educational Credential

Another path to increasing 15 or 30 CRS scores for Canada is to study in Canada. Many newcomers coming to Canada pursue post-secondary education in a study abroad program for a few years before applying for permanent residence. Further, a Canadian study permit has no limit and even professionals with years of experience can choose this pathway. However, studying in Canada is costly for international students. Know about the cost of studying in Canada to get an idea about the tuition fee, etc., for foreign students. 

• Choose to work in Canada temporarily

If your CRS Score still isn’t enough for the cut-off, consider temporarily working in Canada. You will require an offer of employment. After one year of work experience in Canada, you can get up to 40 points. Your skill transferability points will add up if you have proficiency in English or French. You can get an education in Canada on a study permit and after one year of studying, you will qualify for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which does not require a job offer. Applying for Canada PR through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program under Express Entry is also an option if you have one or more years of Canadian work experience.

• Get additional education in your home country

If you do not wish to study in Canada, choose to get additional education in your home country. If you have an undergraduate degree, get a master’s degree. This will earn you 15 points. However, remember that after 30 years, points will be deducted with each passing year.

Ready to go?

Increasing CRS Score may seem like a lot of work but this is how you will get your Canadian PR Visa. Choose Nationwide Visas for assistance in the PR process as their outstanding record is evidence of thousands of successful PR applications. The experienced immigration consultants are ready to help you with all your immigration-related issues and make the process of moving to Canada less complex.