Understanding your Canada express entry CRS results

What is Express Entry CRS Score?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria to determine eligibility of candidates applying to come to Canada under the Express Entry stream. The CRS system (Canada express entry CRS results) help the Canadian government, through the ministry of immigration “manage applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs.”

Express Entry draws are conducted on bi-weekly (sometime monthly) basis based on certain CRS cut off marks determined by IRCC. The express entry program consist of the following sub-categories:

Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
Canadian Experience Class

How are CRS points determined?

The Canadian Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) group criteria into 4 main subgroups:-

Core/Human factors
Spouse/Common-law partner factors
Skills transferability factors, and
Additional factors (based on connection/ties to Canada)

Ideally, the factor groups listed above are determined by prospective immigrants characteristics in the following areas:

Age
Skills in English and/or French Language
Education
Work experience
Presence/absence of a valid job offer, and
The applicant’s perceived adaptability to live in Canada.

Maximum Express Entry CRS Score & Cut Off Marks

Core/Human and Spouse/Common-law factors

Irrespective of a principal applicant’s country of origin, the possible maximum score in the Core/Human Capital Factors group for a single applicant is 500. It is 460 if the applicant is married or has a common-law partner that is not a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. With a spouse or partner combined, the maximum score is 500.

Skill transferability factors

Skill transferability factors combines a candidates education, work experience (foreign or within Canada), and their official language skills based on standardized language test results. Considerations are also given to whether or not the principal applicant has a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province, federal body or territory. The maximum score possible in this sub category is 100.

Additional points

The following additional points are awarded based on a candidate’s situation. The make-up of the Canada express entry CRS results depends on whether or not a candidate met the factors considered in calculating the CRS results.

Additional points	Maximum 600 points
Brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada	15
Scored NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language skills and scored CLB 4 or lower in English (or didn’t take an English test)	25
Scored NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language skills and scored CLB 5 or higher on all four English skills	50
Post-secondary education in Canada – credential of one or two years	15
Post-secondary education in Canada – credential three years or longer	30
Arranged employment – NOC 00	200
Arranged employment – any other NOC 0, A or B	50
Provincial or territorial nomination	600

So what’s your chances?

Analyzing your CRS results

The government of Canada conducts the Express Entry draws every two weeks, sometimes monthly. The branch of government that handles Express Entry is the IRCC. The IRCC stands for Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada. This body used to be called CIC, until 2015. There is no difference between the two except the name. The CIC is now called the IRCC. See list of recent draws on WorkStudyVisa.

If your score meets the minimum CRS cut off for the round of invitation for which your express entry profile is eligible, you will be selected. An invitation to apply, otherwise known as ITA is issued to you. If interested, learn how to create a qualifying express entry profile. We have some resources here to know more about invitation to apply (ITA).

Check Latest Express Entry Invitations

Low CRS Score?

If your score is lower than the cut off mark, you may not get selected in a draw, but there may be ways to improve your score or other immigration options in addition to Express Entry. Try one of these resources!