Criteria for Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) – Express Entry

Canada uses the Comprehensive Ranking System to rank workers and skilled candidates who wish to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry. The CRS score is calculated based on criteria like age, education, language abilities, and job experience. In this blog, we will discuss all the aspects of the CRS, how you can improve your CRS score, and calculate your eligibility with a Canada CRS calculator. 

What is a Comprehensive Ranking System?

Canada has been using Express Entry for a couple of years as the primary method to manage skilled candidates’ applications. The Comprehensive Ranking System is used by the Canadian government to score and rank Express Entry candidates. The government invites only candidates with a high CRS score to immigrate to Canada. 

The government evaluates each candidate’s age, educational background, and job experience, among other factors. Then, they provide the candidates with a CRS score. Generally, the Canadian government holds Express Entry draws every two weeks. In this, they offer PR Canada Express Entry invitations to candidates with the highest CRS scores. 

Why Does the Canadian Government Use CRS?

There are numerous reasons why the IRCC and the government of Canada choose the Comprehensive Ranking System. These are: 

• To identify skilled workers who can succeed in the job market. 
• According to the Canadian government, skilled immigrants who have several years of job experience, education, and language skills are most likely to do well in the Canadian job market. 

It is beneficial for the country as well as the immigrants 

This detailed approach helps the Canadian government welcome immigrants who have a chance to have successful careers in the country. 

The government believes that CRS is the right model for Canada in terms of Express Entry. IRCC has released a report in the past showing the performance of Express Entry immigrants in the Canadian job market. Immigration to Canada via Express Entry is the most preferred way by many Indians due to new immigration policies. The report showed that most Express Entry immigrants have excellent jobs with high salaries, and there are high rates of employment and an overall low rate of unemployment in the country. 

How to Begin the Express Entry Process?

The Express Entry process is easy to understand. Steps to follow-

1. Visit the Canada Express Entry website.
2. Check your Express Entry eligibility and CRS score with the free Canada CRS calculator before going forward. 
3. If you meet all the eligibility requirements, visit Canada Visa’s draw page for Express Entry to see the recent CRS measures for candidates who have been invited.
4. Take a look at the various ways to improve your score.
5. Create your profile on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website after obtaining an ECA and completing your language test.

ALSO READ: IMMIGRATING TO CANADA WITH THE HELP OF THE PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM

CRS Criteria Breakdown

The CRS system comprises three factors-

• Human Capital 
• Skill Transferability 
• Additional Factors 

The Comprehensive Ranking System has 1200 points in total.

For Applicants with a Common-Law Partner:

• A maximum of 460 points for the core human capital factors of the main applicant.
• 100 points for skill transferability factors
• A maximum of 40 points are available for the core human capital factors of the spouse. 
• 600 points for additional factors (provincial nomination, job invitation, sibling in Canada, French language skills, etc.)

For Candidates Without a Spouse or Common-Law Significant Other, There are:

• Maximum 500 points available for core human capital factors 
• 100 points for skill transferability factors 
• 600 points for additional factors 

Human Capital Factors-

• Age
• Education Qualification 
• Official Language Proficiency 
• Canadian Work Experience 

CRS Skill Transferability Factors-

For a candidate’s skill transferability factors, they get a maximum of 100 points. There are five combinations, with a maximum of 50 points for each. It doesn’t matter if a candidate scores more than 100 points overall. Only 100 points will be given under the CRS. The points awarded for skill transferability factors to any candidate, with or without an accompanying spouse, are done in the same way. There are no extra points for the skill transferability of a candidate’s spouse. You can calculate your points by using any Canada CRS calculator online. 

CRS Additional Factors-

Sibling in Canada: A candidate gets 15 additional points for a sibling in Canada, but they need to be a citizen of Canada or a permanent resident of at least 18 years. A candidate may also get these points if the candidate’s common-law partner has a sibling in Canada. However, the candidate or their spouse must share a parent with the sibling in Canada. It can be through blood, adoption, marriage, or common-law partnership.

French Language Skills: French-speaking candidates can avail extra 25 points. But they need to prove adequate intermediate or better French language ability and English language test with a Canadian Language Benchmark 4 or lower, or no test results.  

In addition, candidates who prove adequate intermediate or better French ability and are also able to prove English test results of CLB 5 or better get 50 additional points.

How Can You Improve Your CRS Score?

There are several different ways to boost your CRS score while you’re in the Express Entry pool-

• Broad Perspective: Most candidates focus on one factor and keep working on that instead of understanding all the areas where they can increase their points by making minor adjustments. 
• Provincial Nomination: A provincial nomination is an excellent option for a candidate to get to the top of the pool as it is worth 600 points. 
• Job offers: Securing an invitation to a job can get you 200 points, thereby increasing the chances of receiving an ITA. 
• Hire a professional: To increase your chances of getting an invite for PR Canada Express Entry, consider hiring a professional to help you at every step.

There are other methods to increase your CRS score. Research all the different options if you are short of a few CRS points. 

Conclusion

The Canadian government and immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the Comprehensive Ranking System to give a score to a candidate based on the information provided by them in their application. Each application carries a score allotted by using the CRS method. You can find your Express Entry eligibility through a free Canada CRS calculator. 

READ MORE:- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPRESS ENTRY ELIGIBILITY POINTS AND CRS SCORE?