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.
can a 3rd class degree apply fr canada PR?. with an ielts score of 8.0??
I am a PhD holder from the UK in Forensic Accounting with ACIA and have 5 years of working experience. Do I need IELTS score before applying for PR in Canada.
Hi. My IELTS is S: 7.5, L: 7 W: 7 R:6. And I got 4 yrs of work experience. I have my masters from US and Bachelors from India. Am I qualified for an express entry.
I submitted my express Entry Profile today and I got an additional points of 15 for French proficiency. I have not taken TEF exam. Is it a technical error?
where a anm principal applicant, canada secure a job for my spouse
I mean, if as a principal applicant, I secure canadian work permit, will the Canadian government secure a job for my spouse
Hi,
There is lot of confusion and myth around changing jobs once PR application is submitted.
I got the Invitation from CIC under Canadian Experience Class and I have submitted my documents, do I need to wait until my PR to change my job?
I am getting a great offer which I don’t want to decline.
Please advise.
Sincerely,
Gagandeep
Hi,
I am currently on a work permit ( an intra company transferee) and have moved to Canada in March of 2018. If I create an express entry profile now, can I change it to CEC after March 2019, since i will gain 1 year of experience? Or shall I wait until March 2019 to create a profile. Currently I am getting about 432 points .Please advise.
Hi,
Please find the details below
Primary applicant – ECA – 4 years dgree, CLB – 8
Secondary applicant – ECA – pending, CLB – 7
I m the secondary applicant.
I want to know can we proceed with EE if we have a good score.?
The primary applicant gets a number using which he can apply for job. How can secondary applicant apply for job?
If secondary applicant ECA is done later after ITA, can secondary applicant still work?
hi team,
i have scored overall ielts band of 7, L:7,R:8,S/w: 6.5.
what are my chances of getting PR ?
Im getting points
as follows
Age :4 Points
Education:22 Points
Work Exp: 15 Points
IELTS: 24 Points
IELTS Spouse:5 Points
Total:70 Points
I have 7.5 IELTS score,almost ten years experience , my age is 43.
Can I get PR?
i am 42 years have ten years of foreign work experience
my ielts is 7.5
and have two masters
but im unmarried
can i apply for PR?
i am 42 years have ten years of foreign work experience
my ielts is 7.5
and have two masters
but im unmarried
will i be aple to get a PR
HI,
is it possible to submit the profile now and update my low IELTS score after a month or so after i repeat the exam?
or should i wait to submit the profile with the new score only?
thanking you 🙂
Hello,
My husband wants to take PR through express entry in Canada and he is MCA but his score in BCA is less then 50%.
Will it effect in express entry ?
Please confirm.
Regards
Astha
How we can get a job offer ahead of time? Do we need to have one for Express entry?
40.y.o both, MS degree, 10+ years of experience. English should be high level
Hi, I am an OCT certified teacher. But I am not getting points for qualification certificate skill transferability section in EE. I know this qualification certificate is for skilled trade. But since teaching also needs license in each province, shouldn’t teaching also be considered under this category? Is there any chance for me to get points under that category?
If your spouse doesn’t give IELTS, his educational points will not be included?
Please comment
It will be included. But IELTS points will not be included.
Hi
I am Msc and MTech computer science and five years govt teacher experience . My age is 36 and my ilets score is listening 8 speaking writing reading is 7 each is my chances to get PR ?
Hello Team,
I am Masters in English with 2.5 years experience as an English Instructor.My scores are 8,7,8,7 in listening,Reading,writing,speaking respectively.
Do I qualify for PR in Canada?
Dear Sir or Madam
My language level is CLB 9.I hold a B.A in business administration and an MA. in entrepreneurship. In addition, I have recently had three years of work experience as a marketing manager. If my M.A is considered irrelevant to my job, firstly, am I still eligible for Express Entry and secondly, the M.A. point is taken into account?
Thank you
Regards
My spouse is applying for PR via Express entry. If my husband is accepted, will I able to work in Canada without applying extra work permit? Is it possible to be just accepted by the employers via job application?
Hi,
I got ITA in October 2018 and I got married in November ie post AOR. If I add my spouse in my application will my score be recalculated.
Hello, how can I get nominated by a province?
I am 35 year old, married, have 13 years of experience and have IELTS score of CLB -7. Would I be eligible for canada PR?
I’ve a question and I need an answer. Thank you so much in advance.
I have a Bachelor of science in Biomedical Laboratory Science. Known as Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) in Canada. Its indeed a professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession. The field of study is Science/Medicine/Medical Science/Medical Laboratory Technology.
My question is: What level of education shall I choose when I check whether or not am eligible for Express Entry?
Shall I choose –
1. Master’s degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession or
2. Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute.
I’m eligible for Express Entry if I choose 1. And not eligible for Express Entry if choose 2.
I began to doubt what to choose after I read this: (For “professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy).
When they say medicine, do they mean, a professional degree in the field of medicine? I believe my professional degree is in the field of medicine.
Thank you so much in advance.
Yours sincerely
A.M.
Thanks for sharing this article so informative.
Hi
How much minimum IELTS score is required for ecpress entry application?
I have given GRE(graduate record examination 3 years before can i get points for that under language skills?
In Express Entry program ,if spouse(secondary applicant) has IELTS score then also Husband( primary applicant) should have to give IELTS ?