Express Entry-Know 6 Ways to Increase Your CRS Score

Last Updated On 8 March 2023, 9:28 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Express Entry (EE) is one of the most popular as well as the fastest way to move to Canada.

Each year thousands of applicants apply through this stream to get a Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada.

However, EE is also one of the most competitive systems.

Only the candidates with the high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores receive invitations to apply for PR.

So, if you have submitted your EE profile and your CRS score is lower than you’d like, don’t worry, we have got you covered.

This article lists the best options for improving your CRS score. 

Checklist: Have you claimed all the points you’re eligible for?

Firstly, you need to make sure that you have claimed all the points that can help increase your score. Ensure that you have claimed all the factors applicable to your situation from the list below:

• Siblings in Canada— If you or your spouse have a brother or sister living in Canada as a citizen or permanent resident, you can get 15 points.
  • Moreover, this relationship could be either through blood, marriage or common-law partnership, or even adoption. 
• Canadian Education— This point is only for applicants under the Canadian Express Class and Federal Skilled Trade.
  • So, this means that you do not need to provide an Educational Credential Assessment if you are trying to immigrate under these streams.
  • Remember that the education factor is worth 150 points.
  • However, you can get additional 50 pints by combining Canadian work experience and language proficiency.
• Second Language— You are eligible to claim points for both English and French under the CRS.
  • So, if you know both languages, take an approved language test in both. This will add some additional points to your score.

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Ways to Increase your CRS score

Now that you have claimed all eligible points, here is how you can increase your score—

1. Retake your language test

If you have the option to increase your language proficiency score, retake the test.

Language ability is one of the most important factors in the CRS.

So, spend some extra time working on your language ability and retake the test. This will increase your overall score. 

2. Learn French

This is the most underutilized way of increasing CRS score. While your profile is in Express Entry system pool, you can work on learning French.

You can earn up to 50 additional points for strong French language skills (even if French is your second language).

Furthermore, knowing French will also help you in getting a job easily after landing in Canada.

3. Apply through a Provincial Nomination Program (PNP)

You can express your destination province having your skill in-demand or separately apply to a PNP.

With provincial nomination you get 600 extra points for your Express Entry profile.

The maximizing CRS score is 1200, so applying through a PNP means you are halfway there.

You need to know which province you are interested in. Each province has its own eligibility criteria and requirements’. 

4. Complete another educational program

Having another additional program can increase your score significantly.

So, for example, if you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can do an 8-month program.

Thus, you will get more points under the skill transferability factors.

However, it’s always advisable to create your express entry profile if you are eligible and then work on increasing your CRS scores.

5. Apply with your spouse

Lastly, if you want to move to Canada with your spouse, you should submit your application together.

This in turn will help to increase your score. You get up to 20 points for your language skills.

Also, you get 10 points if either of you has Canadian work experience.

Finally, you get another 10 points each for your education qualification making the total 40 points.

6. Apply without your spouse

On the contrary, if your spouse’s education, work experience, and language skills are not high, then it can negatively affect your CRS score.

To deal with this, you can select that your spouse will not be accompanying you to Canada.

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