What is the CRS score required to immigrate to Canada?

by Sneha Chawla Best Immigration Consultants

CRS score calculator is Canada's way of selecting potential skilled immigrants that can help support and sustain the country's economy and labor market shortages.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score calculator ranks immigration candidates in the Express Entry pool. Scores are assigned based on certain human capital, skills transferability, and additional factors. The highest scoring candidates are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to apply for Canadian permanent residency.

The Express Entry system is one of the most sought-after pathways to immigrate to Canada. It currently manages three programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Every candidate applying under the Express Entry system is assigned a certain CRS score out of 1200 points.

About every two weeks, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts an Express Entry draw, where they issue Invitation to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency to candidates with the highest scores in the CRS score calculator.

The CRS score calculator

Points in the CRS score calculator are assigned based on the following factors:

Core/Human-capital factors: Maximum points - 460 (applying with a spouse) and 500 (applying without a spouse)

Including age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.

Spouse or common-law factors: Maximum points – 40

Including education, language proficiency, and work experience.

Skills Transferability factors: Maximum points – 100

Including education, work experience, and certificate of qualification (for FSTP).

Additional factors: Maximum points – 600

Including siblings in Canada, French language proficiency, academic & employment experience in Canada, arranged employment, and provincial nomination.

Here's how to calculate CRS score:

Core Human Capital Factor + Common-Law Partner or Spouse Factor = 500 points

Core Human Capital Factor + Common-Law Partner or Spouse Factor + Transferability Factors = 600 points (maximum)

Core Human Capital Factor + Common-Law Partner or Spouse Factor + Transferability Factors + Additional Points = 1200 points (maximum)

Minimum CRS score required to immigrate to Canada

The minimum CRS score required to immigrate to Canada varies with every draw. The CRS score cut-off depends on the number of candidates in the Express Entry pool and the labor market needs at that time. The IRCC does not release this information beforehand.

Do you know your CRS score? Here's where you stand:

465+

You have a strong CRS score and have a great chance of receiving an ITA – continue with your process to immigrate to Canada.

400-464

The score is decent, but if your CRS score falls between this range - you will most likely need to give a slight boost to solidify your chances of Canadian immigration. If you haven't already achieved the highest score – try re-taking your language proficiency test.

<400

If your points in the CRS score calculator are below 400 – buckle up, you have a lot of work to do. You have two options, you will either need to gain additional academic or employment experience – or make a significant impact on your score by securing a provincial nomination. Being worth 600 points in the CRS score calculator, getting nominated for permanent residency under a Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) – will effectively guarantee your chances to immigrate to Canada.

An ideal Express Entry candidate would be under the age of 30, with at least two bachelor's or master's degrees, a qualifying language proficiency score, and at least three years of skilled work experience.

Candidates failing to meet the qualifying CRS scores have other options as well, which they can use to boost their points in the CRS score calculator.

How to increase your CRS score for Canada Immigration?

Your points in the CRS score calculator are largely tied to your language proficiency, education, work experience, and age. Some of the most result-oriented ways to increase your points include:

Improve your language test scores.
Gain work experience.
Complete another education.
Get a job offer from Canada.
Apply under a Provincial Nominee Program.
Immigrate to Canada with your spouse.
Get extra points for siblings in Canada.

Your points in the CRS score calculator - is what determines your chances to immigrate to Canada. The higher your CRS score, the higher your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency in a subsequent Express Entry draw.