Express Entry: How to Improve Your CRS Score
This detailed guide explains everything you need to understand about increasing your Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for Canada.
There are two main strategies that can help raise your CRS score and strengthen your chances of moving to Canada. The first involves optimizing and completing your Express Entry profile as effectively as possible. The second focuses on getting ready in advance for opportunities such as receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or obtaining a Provincial Nomination. Continue reading below to explore these methods in more detail.
How to Improve your CRS Score
Optimize Your Profile
Ensuring that your Express Entry profile reflects your information correctly and completely is essential. An accurate profile can help you gain additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, while providing incorrect or misleading information may result in significant consequences.
It is also important to understand that the qualifications needed to become eligible for the Express Entry pool may not always be enough to achieve the highest possible CRS score. Maximizing your score often requires going beyond the basic entry requirements.
Language
Language proficiency is a key component of the CRS and can contribute up to 310 points when combined with other factors, such as post-secondary education. For applicants who are married or in a common-law relationship, this total can increase to 320 points.
Improving your language score is one of the most effective ways to boost your overall CRS ranking. This is because candidates can earn additional points for achieving higher language proficiency levels beyond the minimum requirement. For instance, while the Federal Skilled Worker Program only requires CLB 7 in all abilities, reaching higher levels—up to CLB 10—can significantly increase your score in each language skill.
Language results are also important because they are considered across multiple CRS categories, including:
- Human capital factors
- Spousal factors (if applicable)
- Skill-transferability combinations
- Additional points section
The table below illustrates how language ability, when combined with another factor such as education, can contribute up to 50 additional CRS points.
Click here to view a detailed breakdown of skill transferability combinations involving education and language proficiency.
| Educational Level | CRS points earned |
|---|---|
| Secondary school | 0 |
| Post-secondary program credential of one or more years + first language CLB 7 or more in all abilities (at least one ability needs to be less than CLB 9) | 13 |
| Post-secondary program credential of one or more years + first language CLB 9 or more in all abilities | 25 |
| Two or more post-secondary program credentials (one at least 3 years) + CLB 7 or more in all abilities for first language (at least one ability needs to be less than CLB 9) | 25 |
| Two or more post-secondary program credentials (one at least 3 years) + CLB 9 or more in all abilities for first language | 50 |
To achieve the full 50 points, you must reach at least CLB 9 in all four language skills: reading, speaking, writing, and listening.
If even one of these abilities falls below CLB 9, you may lose eligibility for the maximum score. On the other hand, improving just one weaker skill can significantly increase your total CRS points, as each improvement contributes to your overall ranking.
Click here to view an example showing how improving just one language skill can increase your CRS score significantly.
Liam is 30 years old, holds a Master’s degree, has three years of skilled foreign work experience, and has an IELTS score of 7 in all language abilities. Based on these details, his current CRS score is 405.
If Liam retook the IELTS exam and improved his listening score from 7 to 8, his CRS score would rise to 469.
By improving just one language skill, he would gain 25 points through two skill-transferability combinations (for a total of 50 points), as well as an additional 14 points in the human capital language section.
Education
Education can contribute significantly to your CRS score. Applicants with education completed outside Canada may receive up to 200 CRS points, while those who hold a Canadian post-secondary credential can earn as many as 250 points.
You can enhance your education-related CRS score by adding further qualifications, such as completing an additional degree or diploma, or by obtaining extra Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for your existing credentials.
An ECA is necessary to claim CRS points for any education completed outside Canada.
For candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, who were educated outside Canada, only one ECA is required for the principal applicant to enter the Express Entry pool.
However, for those applying through the Federal Skilled Trades Class or the Canadian Experience Class, an ECA is not required simply to enter the Express Entry pool.
Click here for an example of how assessing your educational credentials can increase your CRS score
A candidate named Maria is 35 years old, married, and holds two foreign bachelor’s degrees. She has three years of work experience, strong English language skills, and a spouse who also has advanced English proficiency and one bachelor’s degree.
Maria has completed only one Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for one of her degrees, which was enough for her to enter the Express Entry pool. Her spouse has not obtained an ECA.
She initially enters the Express Entry pool with CRS points based on a single assessed degree, giving her a score of 405.
If Maria later obtains an ECA for her spouse’s bachelor’s degree, her CRS score increases to 413. Furthermore, if she also gets her second bachelor’s degree assessed, her total CRS score rises to 445.
Spouse or Common-law Partner as a Better Principal Applicant
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, it is worth comparing both individuals’ CRS scores as principal applicants.
In some cases, the principal applicant may have a lower CRS score than their accompanying partner. When this happens, it may be more advantageous for the spouse or common-law partner with the higher score to apply as the principal applicant instead.
Below is an example showing how a spouse or common-law partner could be the stronger choice as the principal applicant.
Click here for an example of how reconsidering the principal applicant may help improve your CRS score
Both Daniel and Emily hold bachelor’s degrees and have strong English language skills. Daniel has worked as a financial analyst for the past 10 years, giving him significantly more work experience than Emily, who last worked as a teacher between 2010 and 2013.
What Daniel may not realize is that their work experience does not necessarily result in a large difference in CRS points, as both may receive similar credit for this factor. The key difference between them lies in age: Emily is 29 years old, while Daniel is 39.
Because of her younger age, Emily receives considerably more CRS points as a principal applicant. As a result, if Emily applies as the principal applicant instead of Daniel, their combined CRS score could increase from 393 to 443.
Work Experience
Improving or properly documenting your work experience can be an effective way to increase your CRS score.
In some cases, applicants may hold a job title that appears unskilled, even though the actual duties performed align with a skilled occupation under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. Reviewing your responsibilities against the official NOC descriptions—rather than relying only on job titles—can help ensure your experience is correctly classified. This may allow you to claim additional points you might otherwise miss.
Once the correct NOC is identified, the next step is to calculate the total duration of your work experience. Points are awarded based on full-time work or the equivalent in part-time experience.
For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates must have at least one year of continuous skilled work experience to enter the Express Entry pool. However, even non-continuous work experience can still contribute toward CRS scoring once you are eligible.
Here is an example to demonstrate the benefits of accurately claiming all your work experience
A candidate named Arjun is 35 years old. After completing his Master’s degree, he gained one year of full-time work experience as a software engineer. He has advanced English language skills and has never studied or worked in Canada.
Before earning his Master’s degree, Arjun also completed four years of part-time work experience as a software sales representative.
Initially, Arjun only included one year of work experience—the minimum required to enter the Express Entry pool. He was uncertain whether his sales role would be classified as skilled under the National Occupational Classification (NOC), or whether his part-time experience would be counted toward his CRS score.
As a result, his initial CRS score is 423.
However, Arjun could potentially claim more experience. When converted into full-time equivalent and correctly classified under a skilled occupation (such as technical sales under NOC 6221), his additional part-time work could count as three total years of skilled experience.
By including these extra two years of eligible work experience, Arjun’s CRS score could increase to 448.
Job offers
Candidates who have a valid job offer can receive either 50 or 200 extra points added to their CRS score, depending on the type of position offered.
A job offer in an occupation classified under NOC 0, A, or B can provide an additional 50 CRS points. However, if the job offer falls under Major Group 00, which includes senior management roles, it may be worth up to 200 additional points.
According to IRCC requirements, a valid job offer must be provided in writing and should clearly outline key employment details, including salary and any deductions, job duties, and overall terms and conditions of employment.
Work Experience and Provincial Nominee Programs
Accurately recording your work experience can also help you become eligible for a nomination through one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination under Express Entry are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, which can significantly improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.
In some cases, provincial programs target applicants with specific types of work experience that individuals may overlook or not recognize as relevant because it does not directly match their main occupation.
Click here for an example of how listing your work experience may improve your chances with Provincial Nominee Programs
A candidate named Leila is 35 years old, holds a bachelor’s degree, has advanced English language proficiency, and has claimed three years of work experience as an IT manager.
Based on these qualifications, Leila has a CRS score of 408.
However, beyond her primary declared experience, Leila also has an additional two years of experience working as a software developer. Since she was already receiving the maximum CRS points for foreign work experience and did not want to obtain reference letters from a previous employer, she chose not to include this additional role in her Express Entry profile.
If Leila had declared this programming experience, it may have made her eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program, such as Nova Scotia’s Express Entry Demand Stream. Software development is among the occupations that may be considered an in-demand role in the province, potentially offering strong employment prospects.
If she had received a provincial nomination, she would have been awarded an additional 600 CRS points, increasing her total CRS score to 1,008.
Proactively Prepare for an ITA or Provincial Nomination
Regardless of your current CRS score, all candidates in the Express Entry pool should actively prepare for a potential Invitation to Apply (ITA) or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination.
Even with a CRS score as low as 299, receiving a provincial nomination can add 600 points to your profile, which may virtually guarantee an ITA in a subsequent Express Entry draw.
Once an ITA is issued, applicants typically have only 60 days to submit a complete application. In some provincial programs, the deadline may be even shorter. Preparing your documents in advance allows you to respond quickly and efficiently once you receive an invitation.
Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Several PNP streams:
- Do not require a minimum CRS score as part of their eligibility criteria
- Accept candidates without existing ties to Canada, such as a job offer, family connection, or prior study or work experience in the country
These programs are highly valuable for Express Entry candidates and are often in high demand.
Some PNP streams operate on a first-come, first-served basis and may reach their intake limits very quickly—sometimes within a single day of opening. Because of this, being well-prepared in advance is often the only way to apply successfully.
A well-known example of such a stream is the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry program.
| Nova Scotia’s Demand: Express Entry | |
|---|---|
| Does it consider your CRS score? | NO |
| Is it open to specific occupations? | YES |
| What is the selection system? | Its own, unique, eligibility and points-system |
| Does Nova Scotia provide advance notice of when the next time the program opens up and you can submit your application? | 1 DAY |
| How long does it take for the intake threshold to reach its capacity? | LESS THAN A DAY |
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream
This stream does not take a candidate’s CRS score into account. Instead, it uses its own points-based system along with a specific list of eligible occupations.
Nova Scotia often provides very little advance notice when this stream opens, and application limits can be reached within just a few hours of launch.
Because of this extremely short application window, many candidates choose to prepare all required documents in advance, anticipating that the stream may reopen at any time.
However, there is also a level of risk involved in preparing early, as Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) eligibility rules and requirements can change without prior notice.
That said, a key advantage is that many of the documents required for PNP applications are also needed when submitting an Express Entry application after receiving an ITA, so preparation is rarely wasted.
Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream
Another well-known PNP option for proactive candidates is Ontario’s Express Entry-linked Human Capital Priorities Stream.
This stream operates on a “passive” selection model, meaning Ontario actively searches the Express Entry pool and invites candidates who typically have a CRS score above 400 and whose profiles match the province’s labour market needs. It is also worth noting that Ontario has previously removed the 400-point threshold for certain occupations, including IT professionals.
Candidates who receive an invitation through this stream must submit a complete application within 45 days, which can make document preparation quite demanding.
Ontario has also suggested that candidates interested in this stream create a new Express Entry profile, as it may help the province more easily identify and select eligible applicants during its searches of the pool.
Like the Nova Scotia stream mentioned earlier, candidates targeting Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream should closely monitor updates and be ready to act quickly when opportunities arise.
Other Express Entry-Linked PNPs
Manitoba and Prince Edward Island have also introduced streams where Express Entry candidates can proactively submit expressions of interest to provincial systems. These provinces then rank candidates based on their own internal scoring criteria.
Similarly, New Brunswick has opened its Express Entry Labour Market Stream during specific time periods, targeting both IT professionals and candidates from other in-demand occupations.
Across all these programs, one common theme stands out: they strongly reward candidates who are prepared, informed, and proactive.
Provincial Nominee Programs are expected to remain a major part of Canada’s economic immigration strategy, with increasing admissions targets in recent years. As a result, staying updated on PNP opportunities and preparing documents in advance can be highly beneficial for Express Entry candidates.
