CRS score for migration to Canada

You want to migrate to Canada under the Express Entry system but are not sure what will happen if you do not get the required CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score to qualify for an Express Entry profile. It should not be a problem. A low CRS score should not stop you from attempting to enter the Express Entry pool. Even if you hold a low CRS score, your chances of entering the Express Entry pool remain high. Know how this can be achieved.

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Express Entry and CRS

The CRS score is arrived at by scoring points that are evaluated based on various eligibility criteria of applicants. A score is given to the profile of immigrants, which grades them in the Express Entry pool. The fields assessed to calculate the score are skills, educational qualifications, proficiency in the language (English or French), work experience, and other factors. 

All applicants are granted a CRS score out of 1200 points. Those who score the highest compared to the other applicants under the CRS will get an invitation to apply (ITA) for the permanent residence (PR) visa. For every Express Entry draw, the CRS score keeps varying. That does not mean it goes up or falls steadily. These draws are held about every two weeks by the government of Canada.

All the factors that determine the CRS score

Four major aspects are taken into consideration to calculate the CRS score.

These aspects include human capital factors, spouse/partner factors, skill transferability, and additional points.

Reaching the Express Entry pool

If you make it to the get into the Express Entry pool, your chances of migrating to Canada are higher, regardless of your CRS score. Variable CRS score:  As stated earlier, the CRS score keeps changing with every Express Entry draw. All is not lost if you do not get the required score for the current draw. You may still stand a chance of obtaining the score needed for a draw in the future, making it possible for you to get an ITA.

Bettering CRS score: In case, even after you have entered the Express Entry pool and get a CRS score that is not on par with the requirement, there are ways to better it.

Attempt to improve your language score: You significantly enhance your CRS score if you perform well in language proficiency exams such as the IELTS. If you manage to secure a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 9 in the language test, or six bands in the IELTS test, you will be able to add 136 points directly to your CRS score. If you get a good score on the French language test, you can add up to 24 points.

Job offer: If you get a job offer from a Canada-based employer, you can gain up to 200 extra points.

Educational qualifications in Canada: If you complete a Canadian degree or diploma, you are eligible to add up to 30 additional points.

Applying for PR with a spouse/partner: You can both gain additional points when you apply for a visa with your spouse/partner. It can happen as the language proficiency of your spouse/partner will add up to 20 points to the CRS scores of both. If the educational levels of you and your partner and work experiences of both combined add up to 10 points in each of the categories.

Secure an LMIA approved job offer: You can add to your CRS score up to 600 points if you secure a job offer from an employer recognized by Canada's Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Improve work experience: If you have full-time work experience that is below three years, you have an opportunity to enhance your CRS score if you continue to work.

Applying under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):

If you obtain a provincial nomination under the PNP for which you have submitted an application that is associated with the Express Entry system, you can add up to 600 points to your CRS score.

Immigration targets 2022-2024

As per the Canadian government's immigration targets, it plans to welcome more than 1.3 million immigrants. Here are its targets for 2022-2024: 2022: 431,645 immigrants

2023: 447,055 immigrants

2024: 451,000 immigrants

According to the government sources, 60% of these targets will be met through economic class programs like the PNP and Express Entry pools, implying that we will witness Express Entry draws where CRS score requirements could be lower in the future.

If you plan to migrate to Canada in 2022, leave no stone unturned to make it to the Express Entry pool, despite getting a low CRS score. Now that you know how to improve your CRS scores, follow the suggestions mentioned to increase your chances of receiving an ITA and migrating to Canada.

If you are a UAE citizen who is looking to migrate to Canada? Contact Y-Axis, the World's No. 1 Immigration Consultant.

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