Low CRS score is not a deterrent in migrating to Canada

If you are thinking of migrating to Canada but bogged down by a low CRS score, what do you do? Will you still submit your Express Entry application or wait for the CRS score to go down further till it is on par with your score? But how long will you wait? Is it worth the while? According to our view, a low CRS score should not be a deterrent for you to migrate to Canada. The good news is that fluctuating CRS scores and efforts to increase your CRS score should help you get an invitation in Express Entry draws. So, even with a low CRS score there is still a chance to migrate to Canada. We will tell you how.

What is the CRS score?

The CRS is a merit-based points system in which candidates are awarded points based on a variety of characteristics. Every Express Entry applicant is given a CRS score out of 1200 points, and if he receives the highest CRS score, he will be issued an ITA for a PR visa. With each Express Entry draw, the CRS score changes.

Factors that determine your CRS score

The CRS score has four important factors. Your profile will be given a score based on these factors.

The CRS score factors include:

• Human capital factors
• Spouse or common-law partner factors
• Skill transferability
• Additional points

Human capital and spouse common law partner factors: Under both of these factors, you can get a maximum of 500 points. The factors listed below will be used to determine your human capital score.

If your spouse/common-law partner is not travelling to Canada with you, you can score a maximum of 500 points under the spouse/common-law partner component. If your spouse is accompanying you to Canada, you can earn up to 460 points.

Human capital factor	Accompanied by spouse/common law partner	Not accompanied by spouse/common law partner
Age	100	110
Educational Qualification	140	150
Language proficiency	150	160
Adaptability	70	80

Skill Transferability: This category allows you to earn up to 250 points. Skill Transferability takes into account three major factors:

1. Education: The maximum number of points you can receive for your education degree is 150, which corresponds to a doctoral level university diploma. The lower your educational qualification, the fewer points you will receive.

 2.Work Experience: For five years or more of Canadian work experience, you can receive up to 70 points (with a spouse/common-law partner) or 80 points (without a spouse/common-law partner).

3.Language proficiency: A certificate of qualification from Canada with a high degree of linguistic proficiency will earn you 50 points.

Skill transferability factors	Accompanied by spouse/common law partner	Not accompanied by spouse/common law partner
Combination of (i) Education and (ii) Language proficiency OR Canadian work experience	50	50
Combination of (i) non-Canadian work experience and (ii) Language proficiency OR Canadian work experience	50	50
Combination of (i) a Certificate of qualification and (ii) Language proficiency	50	50
Total	100	100

To calculate your exact CRS score, you will need to factor in the points from your language test results as well as those from your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your degree is not from a Canadian university.

If your degree is not from a Canadian university, you will need to add in the points from your language test results as well as those from your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to determine your exact CRS score.

Even if you do have a low CRS score, after your calculation based on the factors discussed above, you can still try for the Express Entry draw because the following factors can work in your favor.

Read more: Myths about low CRS score for Canada’s Express Entry

Dynamic CRS score

You know that the CRS score requirement changes for every Express Entry draw. There can be a huge difference in the CRS score between two draws. While one draw may have too high a score, the next draw itself can have a low score requirement which can match with your own CRS score.

 Getting a PNP nomination

If you receive a provincial nomination under the PNP you applied for that is linked to the Express Entry system, your CRS score will be increased by 600 points. If the needed CRS score in a given draw is 825, and you have previously gotten your provincial nomination, your CRS score will be increased by 600 points, and you will only need to score 225 points to receive an ITA.

Immigration target

With Canada setting an immigration target every year, the number if Express Entry draws in a year will depend on it. The government will conduct as many EE draws as required in order to meet the immigration targets. The immigration targets for the next two years are:

• 2022: 411,000 immigrants
• 2023: 421,000 immigrants

The government also announced that 60% of this target will be met through economic class programs like Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program. This means there will be a high number of Express Entry draws which may have lower CRS score requirements.

Ways to improve your CRS score

While the above factors can work in your favor in spite of a low CRS score, you can improve your chances of selection in the Express Entry poll by improving your CRS score.

• Improve your language score: If you score well in language tests such as the IELTS, you will have significant addition to your CRS score. For instance, if you score a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 9 in the language test, you will get up to 136 direct points added to your CRS score. You can also add up to 24 points by appearing for a language test in French.
• Get a job offer: A job offer from a Canadian employer will give you 200 additional points.
• Get education in Canada: If you complete a recognized degree or diploma in Canada, you can get up to 30 extra points.
• Apply for PR with your spouse: Applying for the visa with your spouse can give you both additional points. Your spouse’s language proficiency will be worth 20 points, while the level of education and Canadian work experience can amount to 10 points under each category. So, you can get up to 40 points to add to your CRS score.
• Get an LMIA approved job offer: You can add up to 600 points to your CRS score if you secure a job offer that is recognized by the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), from an employer in Canada.
• Continue working: If you have less than three years of full-time work experience, you have the chance to add points to your CRS score if you continue working.

Once you manage to increase your CRS score, there is no reason why you will not get an ITA for a PR visa through the Express Entry system.