Express Entry is the easiest way for skilled foreign workers and their family members to immigrate to Canada.
Skilled immigrants must create an online Express Entry profile and be eligible for one of the qualifying Canadian immigration programs (i.e., Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class Program, or Provincial Nominee Program).
After creating an Express Entry profile, which includes the skilled immigrant’s relevant details, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will be calculated and he or she will be placed in the pool of candidates.
Applicants who have a good CRS score that is one of the highest in the Express Entry pool of candidates could receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency.
This article will discuss the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and what is considered a good CRS score, so keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
What Is the CRS?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based methodology used by the Canadian immigration agency to evaluate the details in a skilled immigrant’s Express Entry online profile and to calculate his or her CRS score.
There are 1,200 points possible, however, a good CRS score is usually much lower and is relative to the other CRS scores in the Express Entry pool of candidates.
For example, if 600 is the highest score that any candidate in the Express Entry pool has at a given time, then a good CRS score for that particular draw which could result in an Invitation to Apply (ITA) might be around 400-600 points.
Since new candidates are frequently entering the Express Entry pool and others are being selected to receive an ITA to leave the pool, what is considered to be a good CRS score can fluctuate over time.
The rounds for issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Express Entry immigration to Canada occur about every two weeks.
A candidate in the Express Entry pool can receive an ITA if he or she:
- has a good CRS score; or
- receives a qualifying Canadian job offer; or
- gets a nomination for a Provincial Nominee Program; or
- is in a high-priority category.
After the ITA is given, the skilled foreign worker will have up to 60 days to file the application for Canadian permanent residency and must also pay the government fees.
A decision about Express Entry is usually made within six months after the Canadian permanent residency application and government fees are received.
How the CRS Points Are Calculated?
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points can be received for the following factors:
- Core Human Capital Factors = 460 points possible with a spouse/partner / 500 points possible without a spouse/partner
- Spouse/Partner Factors = 40 points possible
- Transferable Skill Factors = 100 points possible
- Additional Points = 600 points possible
- TOTAL POINTS = 1200 points possible
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Points for Express Entry | ||
Core Human Capital Factors | ||
Factors | Points with Spouse/Partner | Points without Spouse/Partner |
English/French Language Skills | 150 | 160 |
Education Level | 140 | 150 |
Age | 100 | 110 |
Work Experience in Canada | 70 | 80 |
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE | 460 | 500 |
Spouse/Partner Factors | ||
Factors | Points Per Factor | Â |
English/French Language Skills | 20 | |
Education Level | 10 | |
Work Experience in Canada | 10 | |
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE | 40 | |
Transferable Skill Factors (100 points possible) | ||
Education Factor Post-Secondary Degree and Good English/French Language Skills Post-Secondary Degree and Work Experience in Canada  Foreign Work Experience Factor Foreign Work Experience and Good English/French Language Skills Foreign Work Experience and Work Experience in Canada  Certificate of Qualification (for skilled trades) Certificate of Qualification and Good English/French Language Skills | Points Per Factor (50 maximum) | |
50 | ||
50 | ||
Points Per Factor (50 maximum) | ||
50 | ||
50 | ||
Points Per Factor (50 maximum) | ||
50 | ||
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE | 100 | |
Additional Points (600 points possible) | ||
Factor | Points Per Factor | |
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Nomination | 600 | |
Arranged Employment in a TEER 0 Group 00 Occupation | 200 | |
Arranged Employment in a TEER 0 (not Group 00), 1, 2 or 3 Occupation | 50 | |
French Language Skills | 50 | |
Post-Secondary Education in Canada | 30 | |
Sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada | 15 | |
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE | 600 | |
MAXIMUM POINTS FROM FACTORS IN SECTIONS A, B, C and D = 1200 Points | ||
How Many CRS Points Are Required to Get an ITA?
The lowest score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) fluctuates and depends on:
- the highest CRS scores in the Express Entry pool of candidates when the ITAs are issued; andÂ
- the group(s) that will be receiving ITAs during a particular round of ITAs.
Some rounds of ITAs do not specify any particular program or category, while other rounds of ITAs are given for particular Canadian immigration programs or categories of high-priority skilled foreign workers, such as:Â
- PNP nomineesÂ
- CEC applicants
- FSWP applicantsÂ
- Skilled trades
- French-speakersÂ
- Healthcare workersÂ
- STEM professionsÂ
Thus, the lowest CRS score may change depending on the highest CRS scores for the candidates in a particular program or category.
Here are examples of the lowest CRS scores required for ITAs from some recent rounds:
- August 15, 2023 – 4,300 ITAs were issued without any program specified and the lowest CRS score was 496.
- August 03, 2023 – 1,500 ITAs were given for the skilled trades category and the lowest CRS score was 388.
- August 02, 2023 – 800 ITAs were issued for the French speaker category and the lowest CRS score was 435.
- July 06, 2023 – 1,500 ITAs were given for the healthcare category and the lowest CRS score was 463.
- July 05, 2023 – 500 ITAs were issued for the STEM category and the lowest CRS score was 486.
- May 10, 2023 – 589 ITAs were given for PNP nominees and the lowest CRS score was 691.
- February 02, 2023 – 3,300 ITAs were issued for FSWP candidates and the lowest CRS score was 489.
Please note that there were many more rounds of ITAs which were given to thousands of candidates in the Express Entry pool and what is considered a good CRS score varies somewhat from round to round.
It is also worth noting that a good CRS score for PNP nominees in the Express Entry pool of candidates will generally be higher than for other Canadian immigration programs and categories, because PNP candidates get 600 points for their CRS score just for having a provincial nomination in addition to the points they receive for other factors.Â
What Happens if My CRS Score Is Low?
In the event that you receive a low CRS score, there may be steps you can take to get more points, depending on your particular case. If your CRS score is below the cut-off (lowest score) required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during a particular round, then you will not receive an ITA and will remain in the Express Entry pool of candidates where you will have the potential to be selected for an ITA in the future if your CRS score is at or above the cut-off for a future round that you can participate in. Express Entry candidates may remain in the pool for up to 12 months.
How to Increase the CRS Score?
You may be able to gain more points to achieve a good CRS score for Canada Express Entry immigration by:
- completing additional education
- receiving an education in Canada
- getting a qualifying Canadian job offerÂ
- learning French and getting the necessary language evaluation score
- applying for a PNP and obtaining a provincial nomination
Many foreign workers who want to apply for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) need to have a connection to the province or territory (for example, by studying or working there in the past), depending on the criteria for the particular PNP; however, they do not satisfy this requirement.
If this applies to you, be sure to check if there is a way for you to meet the PNP ‘connection’ criteria (for example, the Manitoba PNP has an option to establish a connection to Manitoba via an approved exploratory visit to the province).Â
It is important to update your Express Entry online profile whenever the information changes, particularly if you have the opportunity to receive more points, so the Canadian immigration agency will be informed about the update and be able to give you a good CRS score if you qualify. Â
Conclusion – How Canadian Visa Expert Can Help You?
Although there are 1,200 points possible in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), it is quite possible to get a good CRS score for Canada Express Entry with substantially less points than that.
What constitutes a good CRS score for Canada PR (permanent residency) generally depends on whether candidates in the Express Entry pool are being given an Invitation to Apply (ITA) based on a particular program or category as discussed earlier.
In order for you to enter the pool of candidates and receive a CRS score, you need to create an online Express Entry profile and satisfy the eligibility requirements for one of the Canadian immigration programs that qualifies for Express Entry:
- Federal Skilled Worker ProgramÂ
- Federal Skilled Trades ProgramÂ
- Canadian Experience Class Program
- Provincial Nominee Program
Keep in mind that there are other Canadian immigration programs not associated with Express Entry, such as the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program for skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in Canada’s French-speakingprovince of Quebec.
Since each Canadian immigration program has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure, it can be a challenge to know for sure which program is right for you.
Don’t worry, because Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants for over a decade who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada and can guide you through each step of the application procedure!
The immigration consultants who work with Canadian Visa Expert can inform you about your best option for immigration to Canada, make sure your application(s) and documents are prepared correctly and answer any questions you may have about your case.
Over 450,000 people become Canadian permanent residents each year and you could be one of them if you qualify!
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Is 490 a good CRS score?
Yes, 490 is generally a good CRS score, however, the lowest score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) varies from round to round and also depends on whether candidates from a certain program or category are being issued ITAs. The CRS score will usually need to be substantially higher for ITA rounds that focus solely on PNP nominees (for example, a good CRS score may need to be in the 600s or 700s), since 600 points are given just for having a provincial nomination, in addition to points received for other factors.
Why is the CRS cut-off for the PNP programs very high?
The cut-off or lowest CRS score needed to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominees is generally higher than for candidates of other Canadian immigration programs or categories in the Express Entry pool, because PNP candidates get 600 points just for having a provincial nomination (in addition to any other points they receive for other factors).Â
What is a good CRS score for Canada Express Entry?
Based on recent data, a good CRS score for Canada Express Entry is around 490-495, but this depends on whether a round is focusing on giving Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who are eligible for particular Canadian immigration programs or candidates in certain high-priority categories or if no program/category is specified (i.e., all programs are considered). For example, ITAs focusing on PNP nominees require a CRS score of at least 600, while the Canadian Experience Class Program and skilled trades category generally require CRS scores in the upper-300s or 400s.
What are the maximum points in the CRS system?
There are a maximum of 1,200 points possible in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). In general, however, a good CRS score for Canada Express Entry is about 490-495. What is considered a good CRS score for Canada PR (permanent residency) under the Express Entry system will vary, depending on the CRS scores of the candidates in the pool when a round occurs, as well as if candidates from all programs can receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during a certain round or if a round is focusing on issuing ITAs to candidates from a specific Canadian immigration program or high-priority category.
Can I get PR with a low CRS score?
It is possible to get PR (permanent residency) in Canada with a relatively low CRS score, particularly if a candidate in the Express Entry pool is eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program or skilled trades category which generally have lower CRS cut-off scores than the other programs or categories. Another way to get PR with a low CRS score is to apply for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), receive a provincial nomination and then update your Express Entry online profile with this information (you could get 600 points just for having a provincial nomination for a PNP). Nonetheless, your CRS score must be at or above the cut-off (lowest score) required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during a particular round.
