Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of Canada – How It Works

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the point-based system that is used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess and score a potential applicant’s profile for Express Entry. It evaluates the applicant’s profile based on the age, language abilities, work experience, education, and other factors to assign a score out of 1200.

The CRS is the primary and most important factor of the Express Entry selection process. A higher CRS score gives the applicant a better chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

CRS points are awarded in two categories:

Core Human Capital Factors

These points are awarded based on the applicant’s age, level of education, language abilities (English and/or French), and Canadian work experience.

The maximum number of points that can be awarded in this category is 500.

Additional Points

Additional points are awarded for certain factors such as a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, a nomination from a province or territory, a sibling in Canada, French language ability, and post-secondary education in Canada.

The maximum number of points that can be earned in this category is 600.

CRS points are awarded as follows:

Core Human Capital Factors

1. Age – A maximum of 110 points are awarded based on the applicant’s age. The younger the applicant, the more points they will receive.
2. Level of Education – A maximum of 140 points are awarded based on the applicant’s highest level of education completed.
3. Language Ability – A maximum of 150 points are awarded based on the applicant’s proficiency in English and/or French.
4. Canadian Work Experience – A maximum of 100 points are awarded based on the applicant’s work experience in Canada, if any.

Additional Points

1. Valid Job Offer – A maximum of 200 points are awarded if the applicant has a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
2. Provincial/Territorial Nomination – A maximum of 600 points are awarded if the applicant has been nominated by a Canadian province or territory.
3. Sibling in Canada – A maximum of 30 points are awarded if the applicant has a sibling living in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
4. French Language Ability – A maximum of 30 points are awarded if the applicant can demonstrate a high level of proficiency in French.
5. Post-Secondary Education in Canada – A maximum of 30 points are awarded if the applicant has completed a post-secondary education program in Canada.

The CRS is the primary factor used by IRCC to determine which applicants will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. The applicants with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply and are in the best position to receive an ITA.

Although a high CRS score is important, it is not the only factor that IRCC considers when assessing an applicant’s profile. Other factors such as adaptability, ties to Canada, and the applicant’s ability to contribute to the Canadian economy are also taken into account.