Comprehensive Ranking System

The Express Entry System was designed in 2015 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as an initiative to help skilled working individuals from countries worldwide immigrate to Canada hassle-free, to serve the purpose of building Canada’s ever-growing and evolving economy. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a point-based system that was also created to support this initiative and ensure that the process to do so is simplified and easy for anyone.This system uses the CRS score as a medium to score candidates that apply through one of the federal government’s skilled worker programs. These programs are all designed to meet in-demand occupations. This points-based system assists the Canadian government to select the best candidates to live and work in their country.

The Express Entry system is one of the most popular and effective processes that include many different immigration programs that cater to people from all walks of life.

What Is the Comprehensive Ranking System?

With their focus on immigration and the prospective future of the country, the Canadian government plans to welcome over 1.2 million people that can contribute to the economy. Through the Express Entry System, their target for 2021 to 2023 are as follows:

  • 2021 – 108,500
  • 2022 – 110,500
  • 2023 – 113,750

Falling under the Express Entry system, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is very easy to understand. The process to apply through an Express Entry system involves applying through one of the three Federal Economic Immigration programs. To apply, you must create an online profile that will allow the Express Entry system to score your application, which will determine if you are eligible to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Scoring high enough to be issued an ITA is like getting a golden ticket that secures your entry to Canada. If you receive one, you are permitted to accept or decline it within 60 days. If you accept it, you will receive your visa and be able to move to Canada permanently. If you fail to accept it in the given period, your application will not be successful.

The Canadian government has worked hard to ensure that the immigration system is fair and allows everybody an opportunity to apply to live and work in Canada. When you submit your application, it enters the Express Entry Draw and gets measured among a pool of applicants. Since every application needs to score a certain number of points to be considered eligible for the issuing of an ITA, you can apply for a visa as many times as you like. With the Express Entry draw taking place every two weeks, you also don’t have to wait too long to apply again. When you apply, however, your score should preferably have increased for you to have a better chance for your application to be successful.

Many factors get considered with the CRS calculator, most of which can be improved for any future reapplications.

The Process to Apply for Permanent Residency

Infographic: How to Increase Your CRS Score | *CRS Score* To rank high based on your Express Entry points, you must first learn if you meet the basic requirements. This must be followed by creating your online Express Entry profile that is to be submitted with the following documents:

  • Passport
  • National Occupation Classification (NOC)
  • Education credential assessment report
  • Recent language tests, including the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), and/ or Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF)
  • Canadian job offer (if you have one)
  • Provincial Nomination (if you have one)

Once done, you will receive your CRS score out of 1,200 points, upon which you could receive an ITA to apply for permanent residence in Canada. It is important to take note that the score required changes with each draw. When you apply, your application will remain in the pool for one year.

After this phase, you will be required to do the following:

  • Provide Proof of Funds that shows you can support yourself and your family
  • Provide Police Certificates that shows a clear criminal record in every country you have ever lived in
  • Get a medical examination from a certified health professional and provide proof that you are in good health
  • Provide job letters from each of your previous employers that show you have valid work experience
  • If you already have a job offer, you must provide an LMIA that must be issued from your new employer

CRS Scores Are Determined Based On These Factors:

Applicants rank on the Comprehensive Ranking System based on four primary factors:

  1. Human Capital Factors
  2. Skill Transferability
  3. Spouse or Common-law partner
  4. Additional Factors

These factors take the following into account to determine your CRS score:

  • Age
  • Education qualifications
  • Work experience
  • Language skills (English and/ or French)
  • Job offers (if any)
  • Adaptability to living in Canada
  • Spouse or common-law partner

If you score higher on the Comprehensive Ranking System, your chances of gaining permanent residency in Canada will increase. The maximum number of points you can score is 1,200, of which 600 points consist of core points and 600 points consist of additional points. CRS Core Points consist of the following:

  • Skills and work experience
  • Spouse or common-law partner’s credentials and factors, including age, language skills, education, etc.
  • Skills transferability

Additional Points consist of the following:

  • Canadian qualifications (degrees, diplomas, or certificates)
  • Valid job offer(s)
  • Provincial Nomination from a province or territory
  • Strong French language skills
  • A sibling that lives in Canada or is a permanent resident

Total points you can score under four main categories  

SECTION A – Core/Human Capital
CriteriaMaximum Points With SpouseMaximum Points Without Spouse
Age100110
Education140150
Language Skills (English/French)150160
Canadian Work Experience7080
SECTION B – Spouse or Common-Law Partner
CriteriaMaximum Points
Education10
Language Skills (English/French)20
Canadian Work Experience10
SECTION C – Skills Transferability
EducationMaximum Points
Language Skills (English/French) + Education50
Canadian Work Experience + Education50
Foreign Work ExperienceMaximum Points
Language Skills (English/French) + Foreign Work Experience50
Foreign Work Experience + Canadian Work Experience50
Certificate of Qualification (Trades)Maximum Points
Language Skills (English/French) + Education Certificate50
SECTION D – Additional Points
CriteriaMaximum Points
Brother and Sister Living in Canada15
French Language Skills30
Post-Secondary Canadian Education30
Arranged Employment200
Provincial Nomination600

 

What We Do to Help You Increase Your CRS Score

MW Agents stamp and flag To improve your CRS score, there are several factors that you can work on to earn more points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. With the opportunity to improve, it’s no doubt that you will manage to reach that magic number to get you an ITA, accept it, and receive eligibility status to finally move to Canada.

With all the information in your hands, mwagents.ca can lend a helping hand to determine whether you are eligible for the visa you would like to apply for.

We are affiliated with Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), all of whom are situated in Canada and understand what it takes to move, live, work, and even study in the Great White North successfully. Whether you need advice on how to earn more Express Entry points, assistance to complete your application, or perhaps even advice on which immigration program to opt for to make the successful move, we are here and ready to correspond with you and answer everything you need to know.

Immigration FAQ’s

Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is based on the following factors:

  • Provincial Nomination;
  • Offer of employment;
  • Core capital factors;
  • Your common-law partner or spouse;
  • Skill transferability;
  • Previous Canadian study experience;
  • Siblings in Canada; and
  • French and English Ability

Provincial Nomination (600 Points)

600 points are awarded for an enhanced Nominee certificate from a province in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Job Offers (50-600 Points)

A Canadian job offer will also earn you points; the number of points is based on the NOC level of the particular job.

Core Human Capital Factors (600 Points)

These take into account your level of education, for example:

  • Certificate;
  • Diploma; or
  • Degree

If you intend to gain higher qualifications, your score will increase. This same point system applies to your legal partner or spouse if you applied together.

Language (150 Points)

Improving your language skills in either English or French through a recognized Canadian institution can also raise your CRS score.

Work Experience

The more experience you have, the more points you earn. This also applies to your legal partner or spouse.

You must:

  • Meet all the requirements of the:
    • Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC);
    • Federal Skilled Trades Class; or
    • Canadian Experience Class

You must register with the Canadian Job Bank within 30 days unless:

  • You have arranged employment from a Canadian employer; or
  • You have received a nomination through the Provincial Nominee Program

You must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to earn Comprehensive Ranking System points, unless you:

  • Have worked full time for an employer with a work permit for a least one year (or a part-time job for an equal amount of time);
  • Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer that is for at least one year in duration; or
  • Have a valid employer specific temporary work permit exempt under code R204 (a), (c) or R205

If you qualify for any of the Federal Programs, you have 30 days from when you submit your profile to complete the rest of the requirements like registering with the Job Bank. If you do not, your Express Entry profile cannot be activated.

There are three programs to apply for under Express Entry:

  • Skilled Federal Worker Program (SFWP);
  • Skilled Federal Trades Program (SFTP); or
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The following factors affect your eligibility:

Work Experience

You must:

  • Have gained relevant work experience for a job listed in the National Occupation Classification (NOC). Note: Work experience gained in another occupation you have not applied for does not apply;
  • Have gained work experience in the past 10 years;
  • Have received payment for your work;
  • Have a job at skill level 0, A or B;
  • Have a year’s worth of work experience (minimum 1,560 hours); and
  • Prove that your work experience fits the requirements of the NOC

Language Ability

You must:

  • Meet the minimum language level set by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB);
  • Take a language proficiency test That is approved by IRCC;
  • You must meet the language requirements for either French or English; and
  • Your language test results must not be more than two years old when you apply

Education

You must:

  • Have completed canadian secondary education; and a tertiary certificate, diploma or degree;
  • Have completed foreign credentials; or
  • Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC

Proof of Funds

You must prove you can support yourself and your family financially, unless:

  • You are working in Canada; or
  • You have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer

Additional Factors to Be Considered

  • Age;
  • Valid job offers; and
  • Adaptability

This program is aimed at people who wish to become permanent residents (PR) of Canada. This only applies to people who qualify in a skilled trade.

Minimum Requirements

You must:

  • Plan to live outside of Quebec (The province has its own Quebec Skilled Worker Program);
  • Meet the language requirements for English and French;
  • Have two years’ work experience in a skilled trade (or equal amount of experience in a part time position;
  • Have work experience within the past 5 years;
  • Meet the job requirements in the National Occupational Classifications;
  • Have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for a minimum of one year; or
  • A certificate of qualification for that skilled trade that is confirmed from the Canadian provincial or territorial government authority

Skilled Work Experience

These skilled trades are involved in the Federal Skilled Trades Program as ranked by the National Occupational Classification.

Group NumberJob Description
72Industrial, construction or electrical trades
73Equipment operation and maintenance
82

Technical and supervisors in:

  • Agriculture
  • Natural resources
  • Production
92Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor
Central control operators
632Cooks and chefs
633Bakers and butchers

Education

You do not need a specific qualification for this program, but you can earn more CRS points if you have:

  • Foreign qualifications;
  • An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC;or
  • A Canadian certificate, diploma or degree

Language Ability

  • Pass the Canadian Language Benchmark test at minimum language level;
  • The language test must be approved by IRCC; and
  • Your test results must not be older than two years when you apply.

Be assessed by the province or territory

Each of the provinces or territories have different requirements for the skilled trade industry.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements

You must:

  • Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
  • Have the required language skills needed for your job;
  • Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
  • Have the language proficiency needed for your job; and
  • Have plans to live outside of Quebec

Skilled Work Experience

Work experience must be gained in the following job levels based on the National Occupational Classifications.

Job DescriptionSkill Type
Technical jobsB
Skilled tradesB
Professional jobsA
Managerial jobs0

Education

You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if you:

  • Have a high school diploma, tertiary diploma or degree;
  • Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC; or
  • Have completed foreign credentials

Language Ability

To qualify you must score well in the various language tests determined by the CEC.

Canadian Language Benchmark Score NeededJob Level (NOC)
70
7A
5B

The language test must be approved by IRCC and must not be older than two years when you apply.

  • Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
  • Have the required language skills needed for your job;
  • Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
  • Have language levels need for your job; and
  • Have plans to live outside of Quebec

Note:work experience gained as a student or a self-employed individual does not count.

Skilled Work Experience

Work experience must be within three years of applying for the Canadian Experience Class. Work experience must be gained in the following job levels as based on National Occupational Classifications.

Job descriptionSkill Type
Technical jobsB
Skilled tradesB
Professional jobsA
Managerial jobs0
Education

You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if:

  • have a high school diploma and/or tertiary diploma or degree;
  • have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; or have
  • completed foreign credentials

Note: Only apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your foreign education is either equal to, or higher than the Canadian education standard.

Language Ability

To qualify you must score well in:

  • the Canadian Language Benchmark; and
  • the language tests
Canadian Language Benchmark score neededJob level (NOC)
70
7A
5B

The Language Test must be approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada .These tests are based off your French and English ability to:

  • Read;
  • Speak;
  • Listen; and
  • Write

Your test results must be included if you are applying for this program through the Express Entry program. Note: these tests must not be older than two years when you apply.

Principal Applicant

When you apply for the Express Entry, and want to immigrate with your common law partner, you must choose who will be the principal applicant.

Note: a common law partner is a person who has been married to you for one year. This applies for same sex and opposite sex partners.

Choose the principal applicant by looking at who will score the highest points under the Express Entry program.

Inadmissibility

You may be inadmissible if you are:

  1. Considered a security risk;
  2. Lied about information in your application or interview;
  3. Have ties to organised crime;
  4. Can’t support yourself financially;
  5. Have terrible financial health;
  6. Committed a crime outside of Canada;
  7. Do not qualify under Canada’s immigration laws; and
  8. Have a family member that is not allowed in the country
Choosing Where To Live

Note:under the Express Entry you can apply to live in other provinces/territories in Canada, except Quebec. This province has its own set of requirements needed for you to enter.

These are the factors that are used to calculate CRS Points

  • Age (max 110 points);
  • Education (max 150 points);
  • Language proficiency (max 160 points);
  • Canadian Work Experience (max 80 points);
  • Skills Transferability (max 100 points); and
  • Additional Factors (max 600 points)

A legal agent is an authorized representative that must be:

  • A paralegal or lawyer who has a good relationship with the provincial or territorial legal societies of Canada;
  • A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who has a good relationship with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council; or
  • A notary who has a good relationship with the Chambre des notaires du Québec

Note: An unauthorized agent will not be able to help you with your application.

There are currently 3 Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants working with Canadianvisa.org:

David Allon #R513335

Mario Antolinez #R515931

Jimmy Park #R510391

If you want to ensure that your Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is an authorized consultant, you can check with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).

The ICCRC’s website has a register of all the persons that are qualified to be Canadian Immigration Consultants. Any individual who claims to be a legal consultant will have a RCIC code. If there are no results for a person’s RCIC code, then they are not a legal Canadian Immigration Consultant.

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EXPRESS ENTRY CHECKLIST

  • Passport Copy (all pages including stamps and visa);
  • Job Letter on company letterhead;
  • IELTS
  • Education documents 10th onwards;
  • Education Evaluation i.e., WES
  • Police Clearance Certificate
  •  Employment Documents i.e., Recent Job Letter, Pay Slips and Bank Statement
  • Offer of Employment: If you have LMIA, provide copy of your LMIA approval and offer of
    employment
  • Upfront Medical
  • Digital Photo with dimensions 50 mm wide X 70 mm high

If you are married provide following documents for your spouse and dependent child whether they are
accompanying or not:

  • Passport Copy (all pages including stamps and visas)
  • Immigration Documents (i.e., work permit, study permit and visitor record) If Applicable
  • Police Clearance Certificate
  • Employment Documents
  • IELTS or CELPIP
  • General Exam Certificate
  • Education Evaluation from WES or CES or ICAS or IQAS or ICES.
  • Education Documents
  • Medical
  • Digital Picture
  • Marriage Certificate

Please note that CIC provide us 60 days to submit 2nd stage documentation from the date of Invitation
and we may take up to 7 business day to submit from the date of receipt of all documents from you.
So kindly start collecting all documents beforehand.

Visitor Visa & Super Visa

  1. Scanned copy of passport with front, back and all stamped pages
  2. Notarized Invitation Letter (we will write it for you, then you have to
    notarized)
  3. Bank statements
  4. Proof of status (PR CARD/work permit/study permit)
  5. Job letter/enrollment letter
  6.  Notice of assessment
  7.  Birth Certificate
  8.  If applying for convocation: Offer letter + fees receipt + student id+
    Transcripts + Enrollment letter + Convocation Letter from college
  • Scanned copy of passport with front, back and all stamped pages
  • Digital photos with 35 mm X 45 mm dimensions
  • Marriage certificate (if not available, then affidavit)
  • No Objection Certificate (if Government employee)
  •  Funds (Bank Statement + Balance Certificate) (Minimum 6-7 lakh
  1. Property Papers – Map, Registry, Jamabandi
  2. Motor Vehicle – RC copy
  3. Gold Receipt
  4. Insurance Policy
  1. J forms (Last 2-3 years) or Tehsildar Income Certificate or Lease
    Agreement
  2. Business Registration, ITR’s on company name, Company’s Pan Card
  3. ITR’s, NOC, Salary Statement/Salary Slips, Experience Letter
  1. Health Insurance from Canadian Company
    • valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry
    • at least $100,000 coverage
  2. Upfront Medical from India
    **All documents should be in English**
    EMBASSY FEES: $100 + $85 (Biometrics Fees) = $185

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program Checklist

Copy of pages of your passport or travel documents for you, your spouse and your dependent children,
  • Front page
  • Back page
  • All stamped pages
Submit the endorsement letter from Atlantic province that has endorsed you
Submit the original results of your language proficiency test that shows you meet a minimum of level 4 of CLB. Your test result must not be more than two years old on the date of application.

Your all education documents after 12th class. If your diploma, certificate or degree
was not issued in Canada, you must also provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

You must show that you have at least 12 months of full-time work experience within the 36
months before your application.

  • Letter of employment
  • Paystubs
  • Bank statements
  • ITR’s

You must provide the following documents of you and your spouse:

  • Birth Certificates
  • Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
  • If married more than once, include certificates from each marriage and divorce.
  • Children Birth certificate
You must get a police certificate from each country where you live for six or more months in a row since the age of 18.
Include 1 photo of each family member, whether accompanying or not, and yourself. Dimensions are 50 mm wide X 70 mm High. Family member means you, your spouse and your children’s.

Submit bank statement or balance certificate to prove you have enough funds to settle in
Canada.

**All documents in a language other than English or French must be translated. Provide both a
photocopy of the document and the translation in English or French. **