Express Entry – Comprehensive CRS Points Breakdown

Understanding Your Express Entry CRS Score

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Your CRS score is calculated based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other additional criteria. The maximum CRS score is 1,200 points. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws from the pool. Use the detailed breakdown below to understand how points are allocated across different categories and calculate your potential CRS score.

A. Core/human capital factors

You will earn points as if you don’t have a spouse or partner if:

  • they are not coming with you to Canada, or
  • they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Factors Points with a spouse or common-law partner Points without a spouse or common-law partner
Age 100 110
Level of education 140 150
Official languages proficiency 150 160
Canadian work experience 70 80
Point Breakdown of Core/human capital factors

  • With a spouse or common-law partner: Maximum 460 points total
  • Without a spouse or common-law partner: Maximum 500 points total

Age

Age With a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 100 points) Without a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 110 points)
17 years of age or less 0 0
18 years of age 90 99
19 years of age 95 105
20 to 29 years of age 100 110
30 years of age 95 105
31 years of age 90 99
32 years of age 85 94
33 years of age 80 88
34 years of age 75 83
35 years of age 70 77
36 years of age 65 72
37 years of age 60 66
38 years of age 55 61
39 years of age 50 55
40 years of age 45 50
41 years of age 35 39
42 years of age 25 28
43 years of age 15 17
44 years of age 5 6
45 years of age or more 0 0

Level of Education

Level of Education With a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 140 points) Without a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 150 points)
Less than secondary school (high school) 0 0
Secondary diploma (high school graduation) 28 30
One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 84 90
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 91 98
Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 112 120
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years 119 128
Master’s degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) 126 135
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) 140 150

Official languages proficiency – first official language

Maximum points for each ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening):

  • 32 with a spouse or common-law partner
  • 34 without a spouse or common-law partner
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability With a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 128 points) Without a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 136 points)
Less than CLB 4 0 0
CLB 4 or 5 6 6
CLB 6 8 9
CLB 7 16 17
CLB 8 22 23
CLB 9 29 31
CLB 10 or more 32 34

Official languages proficiency – second official language

Maximum points for each ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening):

  • 6 with a spouse or common-law partner (up to a combined maximum of 22 points)
  • 6 without a spouse or common-law partner (up to a combined maximum of 24 points)
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability With a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 22 points) Without a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 24 points)
CLB 4 or less 0 0
CLB 5 or 6 1 1
CLB 7 or 8 3 3
CLB 9 or more 6 6

Canadian work experience

Canadian work experience With a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 70 points) Without a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 80 points)
None or less than a year 0 0
1 year 35 40
2 years 46 53
3 years 56 64
4 years 63 72
5 years or more 70 80

B. Spouse or common-law partner factors (if applicable)

Factors Points (Maximum 40 points)
Level of education 10
Official language proficiency 20
Canadian work experience 10
Point Breakdown of Spouse or common-law partner factors (if applicable)

Spouse’s or common-law partner’s level of education

Spouse’s or common-law partner’s level of education With spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 10 points) Without spouse or common-law partner (Does not apply)
Less than secondary school (high school) 0 n/a
Secondary school (high school graduation) 2 n/a
One-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 6 n/a
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical in school, or other institute 7 n/a
Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 8 n/a
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years 9 n/a
Master’s degree, or professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree”, the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) 10 n/a
Doctoral level university degree (PhD) 10 n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

Spouse’s or common-law partner’s official languages proficiency – first official language

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening) Maximum 20 points for section
Maximum 5 points per ability		 Without spouse or common-law partner (Does not apply)
CLB 4 or less 0 n/a
CLB 5 or 6 1 n/a
CLB 7 or 8 3 n/a
CLB 9 or more 5 n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

Spouse’s Canadian work experience

Spouse’s Canadian work experience Maximum 10 points Without spouse or common-law partner (Does not apply)
None or less than a year 0 n/a
1 year 5 n/a
2 years 7 n/a
3 years 8 n/a
4 years 9 n/a
5 years or more 10 n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

C. Skill Transferability factors

Education Points (Maximum 50 points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a post-secondary degree 50
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree 50
Foreign work experience Points (Maximum 50 points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level 7 or higher) and foreign work experience 50
With Canadian work experience and foreign work experience 50
Certificate of qualification (for people in trade occupations) Points (Maximum 50 points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a certificate of qualification 50
Point Breakdown of Skill transferability factors

  • For skill transferability factors: Maximum of 100 points

Education

With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 7 or higher) and a post-secondary degree

Education level Points for CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, with one or more under CLB 9 (Maximum 25 points) Points for CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities (Maximum 50 points)
Secondary school (high school) credential or less 0 0
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer 13 25
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer 25 50
A university-level credential at the master’s level or at the level of an entry-to-practice professional degree for an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification matrix at Skill Level A for which licensing by a provincial regulatory body is required 25 50
A university-level credential at the doctoral level 25 50

With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree

Education level Points for education + 1 year of Canadian work experience (Maximum 25 points) Points for education + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience (Maximum 50 points)
Secondary school (high school) credential or less 0 0
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer 13 25
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer 25 50
A university-level credential at the master’s level or at the level of an entry-to-practice professional degree for an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification matrix at Skill Level A for which licensing by a provincial regulatory body is required 25 50
A university-level credential at the doctoral level 25 50

Foreign work experience – With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 7 or higher)

Years of experience Points for foreign work experience + CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under 9 (Maximum 25 points) Points for foreign work experience + CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities (Maximum 50 points)
No foreign work experience 0 0
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience 13 25
3 years or more of foreign work experience 25 50

Foreign work experience – With Canadian work experience

Years of experience Points for foreign work experience + 1 year of Canadian work experience (Maximum 25 points) Points for foreign work experience + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience (Maximum 50 points)
No foreign work experience 0 0
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience 13 25
3 years or more of foreign work experience 25 50

Certificate of qualification (trade occupations) – With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 5 or higher)

Qualification Points for certificate of qualification + CLB 5 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under 7 (Maximum 25 points) Points for certificate of qualification + CLB 7 or more on all four first official language abilities (Maximum 50 points)
With a certificate of qualification 25 50

D. Additional points

Factor Maximum points per factor
Brother or sister living in Canada (18 years or older, citizen or permanent resident) 15
French language skills 50
Post-secondary education in Canada 30
Provincial or territorial nomination 600
Breakdown of additional points
Additional points Maximum 600 points
Brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada 15
Scored NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language skills and scored CLB 4 or lower in English (or didn’t take an English test) 25
Scored NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language skills and scored CLB 5 or higher on all four English skills 50
Post-secondary education in Canada – credential of one or two years 15
Post-secondary education in Canada – credential three years or longer 30
Provincial or territorial nomination 600

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One of our licensed immigration consultants can speak with you in person, online or on the phone about your unique immigration situation and give you a breakdown of your options.
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862 thoughts on “Express Entry – Comprehensive CRS Points Breakdown”

  1. I had completed my three year diploma in Hotel Management from IHM Guwahati, India in 1998. Please advise if I can get an ECA done for this education qualification in order to increase my CRS score for Express Entry.

    Reply ↓

  2. Hi
    I got 6 in reading 7 in listening 6.5 in speaking and 7.5 in writing am 42 years working in middle management am I eligible for PR through express entry

    Reply ↓

  3. Hello CICS Immigration Team

    I hope you are doing great. Speaking of immigration, i would like to ask two question regarding education. I have US Masters degree how do I evaluate it for immigration purpose or do I get any extra point for this. Currently I am doing CPA (certified public accountant) in Massachusetts. My second question, is there any benefit to have CPA certification for immigration purpose. I would like to inform you that originally I am from Bangladesh and now I am in OPT under F-1 student in USA. I would really appreciate it, if you address my concerns.

    Thank you

    Reply ↓

    • Seek an accepted organization to assess your education. You can also contact CICS Immigration and set-up a time for a consultation to maximize your chances in immigration to Canada.

      Reply ↓

  4. Hi everybody.

    I got the followong result in IELTS: L: 7, R: 7.5, W: 6.5, S: 6.5 plus i have a bachelor degree and i´m 40 years old, when i took the test for the express entry at the end says i didn´t reach the necesary points to be on the pool candidate. If the minimum for the IELTS is 6.5 on each test for the FSW, why i always say that i can´t apply for the express entry?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply ↓

  5. Hi, I recently wrote the IELTS and my score was as follows; Reading-9, listening-9, speaking-8.5 and writing-7. With this I understand I’m eligible for the process. I’m a medical Dr.
    I am currently single but will be getting married in about a year’s time. I was wondering if I should start my application now or wait till I get married. Will getting married help or hurt my scores? And if I were to apply as single, will I be able to get my spouse involved later on in the process such that both of us will be able to get permanent residence? Pls reply.

    Reply ↓

  6. Hello,
    Can you tell us please, if we are spouse/common in law and we going to apply the EE, if it’s neсessary to add information about each other in our separate profiles. If we don’t do this can we go together when one of us will be selected?

    Thank you in advance!

    Reply ↓

  7. Hello, Both myself and husband have completed the IELTS & ECA with over 6 band in IELTS. Our ECA are equivalent to Master & Bachelors degree accordingly. We are trying to complete a provincial nomination application wherein my husband will be the Principal applicant as his NOC is currently opened. Please can you clarify where he will fall with regards to his Bachelors degree of 4 years as I dont seem to have that option… (Below 6 options refers). Thank you

    1) University – doctoral level degree or equivalent (PhD)

    2) University degree at the Master’s level or equal OR university level
    entry-to-practice professional degree (or equal). Occupation related
    to the degree must be NOC 2011 Skill Level A, and
    -licensed by a provincial regulatory body.
    Must be in one of these fields of study: Medicine, Veterinary
    Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Law, Chiropractic
    Medicine or Pharmacy.

    3) Canadian post- secondary – two or more degrees, diplomas or
    equivalent for a program of at least three years

    4) Canadian post-secondary – one degree or diploma or equivalent for
    a program of at least three years

    5) Post-secondary degree or diploma for a two-year program, or equal. 19
    Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma or equivalent for a oneyear
    program

    6) Canadian high school diploma or equivalent 5

    Reply ↓

  8. I see that my Overall Score CSR score went down from 308 to 303.

    Specifically, I see CRS – Human Capital – Age went down from 65 – 60.

    This is very frustrating. CIC/Scoring System did the same thing last year immediately after 27th June(Birthday) and my Express Entry profile went inactive

    Questions

    1. Are they looking for skilled and experienced worker? Then its obvious as experience increases the age would also increase/grow (Directly Proportional).
    2. How can one control his age? Why/How does age matter ? How do CIC Employees/Staff control their age?

    Regards
    Hiten

    Reply ↓

    • CIC’s reasoning is that the younger you are, the better chance you have at succeeding in Canada. Hence the age factor. You can’t control age, but you can control your language level.

      Reply ↓

  9. Hi CIC Members,

    Hi CIC Member,
    I have got the below mentioned scores in IELTS, Please let me know which provenance will accept my score.So that I can apply for PNP for the same and also enter into the express entry

    Listening – 6.0
    Reading – 5.5
    Speaking – 6.5
    Writing – 6.0
    Overall – 6

    With Regards
    P.Sanjay Sarma

    Reply ↓

  10. Hi team,
    My IELTS score is over all band 5.5 . Reading 4.5,listening 6,speaking 6,writing 6,
    Do I qualify for express entry immigration for Canada .. It’s general module .. Plz advice am already in process of Immigration.. I need to know whether I have to re apply for exam ??

    Reply ↓

  11. Thanks for your responses

    1. Why do CIC’s think so “The younger you are, the better chance you have at succeeding in Canada?”. I was on the impression that “The more skills you have , the better chance you have at succeeding in Canada”. Skills come only with experience and experience is proportional to age. The lesser the age, the lesser inexperience you are Right?
    2. Any idea why ‘Job Bank’ that is linked to Express Entry profile does not have an option to upload resume.? How would an Employer get to know about an Employee’s deeper skills etc. without a resume?
    3. Should my son aged about 5 years need to write IELTS? and prove his language level too?

    Please correct me in my understanding. This would help me in making my final decision on whether I should continue with my immigration to Canada or not .(specifically if they are ONLY looking at younger people aged 18 to 25 , then I can discontinue rightaway)

    Reply ↓

  12. Must my wife have language tests result and credential assessment before I apply through the EXPRESS ENTRY POOL.

    Reply ↓

    • If you would like extra points on your profile, then it’s recommended that she does. However, it’s not mandatory.

      Reply ↓

  13. Hello,

    My name is Sunil. I graduated from BA from Waterloo University, ON in 2012. I did not work on PGWP after completing my studies in Canada. I have worked for my own company since 2013, as an importer of foodstuff commodities in Kenya, Benin, and Niger.

    My IELTS GT results are
    L:8
    R:7.5
    S:7
    W:7

    Any chance of ITA?

    Reply ↓

  14. Respected sir, i am gnm having 4.3yrs experience , married , 30yrs of age , indian , ielts general s=6.5 w=6 r=6 l=7 over all 6.5 . My wife has not completed her degree, she is final year b.com . Is it possible for me to apply for express entry or pr to federal or quebec. Kindly pls rply me

    Reply ↓

  15. I got 5.5 IELTS band L:5.5: R:5.5: W:6 S:5.
    I have 5 year of Prof Exp with as computer operator, i passed MSc-IT or Master of Hindi, i have passed many more diploma’s that like N.T.T, or boutique, can I apply for express entry for PR.

    Reply ↓

  16. l am a trained postgraduate teacher in English language from an Indian university. Do I need to appear ielts for getting my PR visa to Canada?

    Reply ↓

  17. Hi,
    I would like to know if I have to do ECA for secondary qualification i.e. Diploma of Associate Engineering in BioMedical (Equivalent to High School)?

    Reply ↓

  18. Hi,
    One of the Alberta employer has agreed to offer me a job and advertised the position for 30days.The Attorney is all set to apply for LMIA but I have stopped him doing so as,against a total experience of 20yrs ,I have experience letters for only last eight years.
    The position advertised by employer demands only an experience of 5yrs.
    Need to learn what should I do:
    1. Amend the CV accordingly(In such case will the Immigration question about my previous experience)
    2.Show complete experience with no experience certificate for a part of Employment.
    Kindly,advice

    Regards,

    Meenakshi

    Reply ↓

  19. Sir
    M preetika, I have done BSc nursing have 1.9 years experience. Currently working in international hospital. My ielts GT bands are L7.5 R6.5 W6.5 S5.5
    What’s your opinion about Canada express entry visa
    I ll appreciate your prompt reply

    Reply ↓

  20. Dear sir,
    i have completed my general nursing in 2008 and my course was 4 years diploma course. now i want to know that am i eligible to apply for canada express entry?

    Reply ↓

  21. I have done my bachlor degree in b.scfashion designs i am working as. Store manager since last three and half year as a store manager at there i am managing the all staff and take care for designer clothes under the the company redsun dry cleaner can you please let me know if i get my ielts score 6.5 or 7 can i apply for express entry

    Reply ↓

  22. i will just ask, can you considered as common law partner your fiance? if yes, can we apply both in express entry me as an principal applicant and him my fiance as a secondary applicant. thank you.

    Reply ↓

    • No. Common-law is someone who you have declared to be common-law and have lived together for at least 1 year consecutively.

      Reply ↓

  23. dear sir
    I have my PG and BEd in English and working as a secondary teacher for 9+ years.I am 34 years old. To work as a teacher in Canada do I need to obtain any other certification from the universities in Canada? What is the appreciable ielts score for a teacher? How can I get a job offer without the help of a recruiting agency?

    Reply ↓

  24. Hi,

    Can I submit two IELTS results to proof my English proficiency Or it has to be 7 CLB in all section on the same score card.

    Result-1

    Listing- above 7 CLB
    Reading – 6 CLB (* Required 7 CLB)
    Writing – above 7 CLB
    Speaking- above 7 CLB

    Result-2

    Listing- 6 CLB (* Required 7 CLB)
    Reading – 7 CLB
    Writing – 7 CLB
    Speaking- 7 CLB

    Thank you

    Reply ↓

  25. Hi,
    I have overall band score of 7 in IELTS. Please suggest further procedure to be followed in order to get PR in Canada

    Reply ↓

  26. Dear Sir,
    My score in ielts is 6.0 that means W 6.0, R 6.0, L 6.0 and S6.0. and I am Electronics engineer and have 8 years of total experience. My wife has just completed MBA in HR and 5.0 band in IELTS means W 5.0, R 5.0, L 5.0 and S 5.0.
    My question is that, Am I eligible for immigration and what are the advantages if wife has 5 band and MBA degree ?
    Please reply

    Reply ↓

  27. Dear Sir,

    I have done my Educational assessment, I score L-6 , R-6 W-6.5 & S-6.5 in IELTS, what is will the next stage for processing Express Entry to Canada.

    I also want to ask if I can add my Master Degree which I know the certificate will be issued by November/December 2016 to my application?

    Reply ↓

  28. Can I use my English Proficiency Certificate from my University where i have done my Masters in Information Technology instead of IELTS for Canada Immigration?

    Reply ↓

  29. Hello,
    I have read through the responses to see if there has been an answer to the kind of challenge I have experienced but you have provided none. I scored in my IELTS, R:6 L:6 W: 6.5 and S: 7.0 which gave a total of 6.5. 33 y.o with 3yrs work experience in same field. 2yrs diploma and a university degree. WES Verified. But each time I try the free assessment, it tells me I am not eligible. From the response provided you have stressed that we need to score 6.0 minimum in every category. Do you have any reason why I am not eligible?
    Kindly assist with response.

    Reply ↓

  30. I got 135 points for the Msc degree (ECA equalized) . Should I send my Bachelors degree also for equivalence to get more points? Would it affect my overall score ? Thanks !

    Reply ↓

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