Many immigrants wishing to apply for a Canadian permanent residency need to be aware of some of the program’s eligibility requirements. Amongst the main eligibility requirements needed to apply for a Canadian permanent residency is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) calculator. The IRCC uses the CRS system to assess your eligibility to be granted a Canadian permanent residency. The Canadian permanent resident CRS calculator is an estimate or metric system used by Canadian immigration to assess their permanent residency applicants.
What exactly is the Canada permanent resident CRS calculator? How exactly does it work? If you are asking these questions, well, you are in luck cause that’s what this guide is all about. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to get started with understanding the Canadian permanent resident CRS calculator, including:
- Factors that influence the CRS calculator
- The different sections of the Canada permanent resident CRS calculator and how they work
- Eligibility and required documents to claim your CRS points
Read on so you can learn more about the Canadian permanent resident CRS calculator, understand more about it, and enable you to prepare adequately for it if you intend to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Calculator?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) calculator is a tool that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) use to rank applicant profiles on the express entry pool.
It is a point-based system that provides the candidates in the pool with a CRS score based on certain factors like age, work experience, language proficiency, education and ties to Canada (if any). The Canadian government holds an Express Entry draw every two weeks. Applicants in the pool with the highest CRS scores are then issued a round of Invitations to Apply (ITA).
How does the CRS Calculator work?
As stated earlier in this guide, the Canada permanent resident CRS calculator is a point-based system used to assess your profile as an applicant for Canadian permanent application and rank it in the Express Entry pool.
The points which are used in the Canada permanent resident CRS calculator are allotted to the following categories:
- Age
- Language proficiency
- Level of education
- Canadian work experience
- Ties to Canada
- Second official language
Factors that Influence the CRS Calculator
When it comes to your CRS score, there are three factors you have to consider:
- Core or Human Capital
- Skill Transferability Factors
- Additional Factors
Core or Human Capital
The Core or Human Capital category looks at your age, education, work experience, etc. With or without a spouse or common-law Partner. Ideally, the CRS points awarded to individuals with a spouse or common-law partner is 500 points, while for individuals without a spouse or common-law partner is 460 points. Both these points are awarded based on the criteria mentioned earlier, including age, education, experience, etc.
Factors with spouse/common-law partner with spouse/common-law partner
| Factors | With spouse/common-law partner | Without spouse/common-law partner |
| Age | 110 | 100 |
| Level of education | 150 | 140 |
| Language proficiency (IELTS) | 160 | 150 |
| Canadian working experience 80 70 | 80 | 70 |
| Level of education of spouse | 10 | |
| Language proficiency of spouse | 20 | |
| Spouse required IELTS score | 10 | |
| TOTAL | 540 | 460 |
Skill Transferability Factor
The Skill Transferability Factor looks at your Canadian work experience or foreign work experience, language ability, etc. These factors ideally total up to 100 points.
| Factors | Maximum points per factor |
| Maximum points per factor or Education and Canadian work experience | 50 |
| Language ability and (foreign work experience) Non-Canadian work experience or Canadian work experience and foreign work experience (non-Canadian work experience) | 50 |
| Certificate of qualification in trade and language ability | |
| Total | 100 |
Additional Factors
Additional factors include Canadian job offer, provincial nomination, etc. These factors ideally total up to 600 points.
| Factor | Maximum points per factor |
| Brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada | 15 |
| Post-secondary education in Canada – Credential of one or two years | 15 |
| Post-secondary education in Canada – Credential of three years or longer | 30 |
| Arranged employment – NOC 00 | 200 |
| Arranged employment – any other NOC 0, A or B | 50 |
| PNP nomination | 600 |
| Maximum points to be claimed | 600 |
Detailed Breakdown of Factors and their Points
1. Core/Human Capital Factors (maximum of 500 points)
| Age | With a spouse or common-law partner (Max. 100 points) | Without a spouse or common-law partner (Max. 110 points) |
| 17 years old or less | 0 | 0 |
| 18 years old | 90 | 99 |
| 19 years old | 95 | 105 |
| 20 to 29 years old | 100 | 100 |
| 30 years old | 95 | 105 |
| 31 years old | 90 | 99 |
| 32 years old | 85 | 94 |
| 33 years old | 80 | 88 |
| 34 years old | 75 | 83 |
| 35 years old | 70 | 77 |
| 36 years old | 65 | 72 |
| 37 years old | 60 | 66 |
| 38 years old | 55 | 61 |
| 39 years old | 50 | 55 |
| 40 years old | 45 | 50 |
| 41 years old | 35 | 39 |
| 42 years old | 25 | 28 |
| 43 years old | 15 | 17 |
| 44 years old | 5 | 6 |
| 45 years old or more | 0 | 0 |
Education Level
| Level of Education | With a spouse or common-law partner (Max. 140 points) | Without a spouse or common-law partner (Max. 150 points) |
| Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) | 140 | 150 |
| Master’s degree OR professional degree | 126 | 135 |
| Two or more credentials, with at least one for a program of three years or more | 119 | 128 |
| Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more-year program | 112 | 120 |
| Two-years post-secondary credential | 91 | 98 |
| One-year post-secondary credential | 84 | 90 |
| Secondary (high) school diploma | 28 | 30 |
| Less than secondary (high) school | o | o |
Language Proficiency
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | CRS points without spouse/partner (Max. 136 points) | CRS points with spouse/partner (Max. 128 points) |
| CLB3 or less | 0 | 0 |
| CLB4 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB5 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB6 | 9 | 8 |
| CLB7 | 17 | 16 |
| CLB8 | 23 | 22 |
| CLB9 | 31 | 29 |
| CLB10 or more | 34 | 32 |
Canadian Work Experience
| Canadian work experience | CRS points without spouse/partner (Max. 80 points) | CRS points with spouse/partner (Max. 70 points) |
| Less than one year | 0 | 0 |
| One year | 40 | 35 |
| Two years | 53 | 46 |
| Three years | 64 | 56 |
| Four years | 72 | 63 |
| Five years or more | 80 | 70 |
2. Skill Transferability Factors
Education Level
For candidates in the federal skilled worker’s program (that do not have Canadian work experience), scoring a CLB9 in all four languages could make you stand out.
| Education level + Language proficiency | Minimum CLB7 on the four language abilities | Minimum CLB9on the four language abilities |
| Post-secondary education below one year | 0 | 0 |
| Post-secondary education of at least one year | 13 | 25 |
| 2 Post-secondary credentials, one of which is a 3 years program. | 25 | 50 |
For candidates who are eligible for the Canadian Experience Class(CEC), you could also get an additional 50 points if you satisfy the two conditions, which include
(i)your level of education and
(ii) your Canadian work experience.
| Education level + Canada work experience | At least 1 year of Canadian work experience | At least 2 years of Canadian work experience |
| Post-secondary education below one year | 0 | 0 |
| Post-secondary education of at least one year | 13 | 25 |
| 2 Post-secondary credentials, one of which is a 3 years program. | 25 | 50 |
Foreign Work Experience
This case is judged on two conditions which are
(i) the foreign work experience
| Foreign work experience + Language proficiency | Minimum CLB7 on the four language abilities | Minimum CLB9 on the four language abilities |
| Foreign work experience: Less than one year | 0 | 0 |
| Foreign work experience: between 1 to 2 years | 13 | 25 |
| Foreign work experience: for at least 3 years | 25 | 50 |
(ii) the Canadian work experience
| Canada + Foreign work experience | At least 1 year of Canadian work experience | At least 2 years of Canadian work experience |
| Foreign work experience: Less than one year | 0 | 0 |
| Foreign work experience: between 1 to 2 years | 13 | 25 |
| Foreign work experience: for at least 3 years | 25 | 50 |
Certificate of Qualification
This section of the skilled transferability factor is for the candidates eligible under the federal skilled trades program.
| Certificate of qualification + language proficiency | Minimum CLB5 on the four language abilities | Minimum CLB7 on the four language abilities |
| Issued a certificate of qualification | 25 | 50 |
3. Additional Factors
| Factor | Max. Canada PR Points per factor |
| PNP nomination | 600 |
| Valid job offer in NOC skill type 00 (senior management) | 200 |
| Valid job offer in NOC skill type/level 0, A or B | 50 |
| Completion of a post-secondary program in Canada of at least 3 years duration | 30 |
| Completion of a post-secondary program in Canada of 1 or 2 years duration | 15 |
| French: at least CLB7 and English: at least CLB5- on all four languages abilities | 30 |
| French: at least CLB7 and English: lower than CLB5 or no test results- on all four languages abilities | 15 |
| Sibling in Canada as a citizen or permanent resident | 15 |
How to Calculate your Points Using the Canada Permanent Resident CRS Calculator
When calculating the CRS score, you first need to know how the CRS points are calculated. Here’s a simple guide to it
- Human capital or Core factor + common-law partner or spouse factor = 500 points
- Human capital or Core factor + common-law partner or spouse factor + Transferability factors = 600 points
- Human capital or Core factor + common-law partner or spouse factor + Transferability factors+ Additional points = 1200 points
In summary, the total CRS Score = Maximum Points (core/human capital + skill transferability + Additional Factors) = (500 + 100 + 600) = 1200 points.
Eligibility Requirements for Canada Permanent Resident CRS Calculator
Your eligibility requirements for Canada permanent resident CRS calculator involve the factors listed below. These factors will help you get the required points needed to apply through the Express Entry stream. These factors are;
- Age
- Language proficiency
- Level of education
- Canadian work experience
- Ties to Canada (if any)
- Adaptability
Required Documents to Claim your CRS Points
As an applicant, you will be required to provide documents that will be used to ascertain the points you will be given by the Canada permanent resident (CRS) calculator. Your points will be awarded to you with the following documentation.
Work Experience
For employees earning salaries:
- A reference letter from your employer (the reference letter must contain a company letterhead and contact information, your name, title and signature of your superior or HR officer)
- A list of all the occupations you held during your employment (this list must include the title, duties, annual wages, benefits, duration of work hours, and beginning and end date of your employment)
- Your employment contract.
- Your job description with the company letterhead.
For independent/self-employed people:
- Evidence of business ownership.
- Documentations such as registers, invoices and receipts as proof of income from clients.
For individuals with Canadian work experience:
- Provide copies of your T4 tax information slips.
- Notices of assessment.
Education
You will be required to provide proof of completed studies in or outside Canada. These copies include:
- A copy of your credentials (your certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree).
- A copy of your school transcripts showing that you completed the requirements o your credentials.
A Valid Job Offer
Your employment letter must contain the following:
- A letterhead and the company contact information, with your name as well as the name, title and signature of your future immediate superior or HR officer.
- Your occupation title, job start date, duties, and duration of work hours per week, including your annual salary and benefits.
- Clarification that the job is on a continuous and full-time basis or a minimum of one year after issuance of the PR visa.
- Clarification that you are currently still holding the said job.
Certificate of Qualification
- You will provide a copy of your received provincial/territorial qualification certificate
- Relative in Canada
- Proof of your family member’s Canadian permanent residency or Canadian citizenship
- Proof that your family member is currently living in Canada
- Proof of relationship to your spouse/partner
When to use the Canada Permanent Resident CRS Calculator
You are to use this tool if:
- If you have not filled out your Express Entry profile.
- If You are eligible for at least one Express Entry Program.
- You would like to see what your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
- You were invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
What are the Benefits of Using the CRS Calculator?
Using the CRS Calculator tool comes with some excellent benefits. These benefits include;
- It gives you an insight into the requirements needed to become a Canadian permanent resident.
- The CRS tool is a verified way of calculating your eligibility to apply for Canadian PR.
- The CRS tool lets you know specific options that can boost your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply.
- People who score high points on the CRS tool are well on their way to becoming Canadian permanent residents.
- The CRS tool shows you various criteria which you can use to improve your score.
Tips to Improve Your CRS Score
The Canadian permanent resident CRS calculator often gives applicants scores based on their current qualifications. However, there are a few tips you could apply to help you boost your CRS score.
1. Boost your language proficiency score (IELTS)
Being able to score high on your language proficiency test will boost your CRS score. For instance, as an applicant, if you score a Canadian Language benchmark of 9, you will be awarded up to 136 points to your CRS score, and if you appear for a language test in French, you will be given an additional 72 points.
2. Apply with a Provincial Nominee Program
If a territory or province nominates you for a PNP, you will receive an additional 600 points to your CRS score.
3. Get an Education in Canada
You could be awarded 30 extra points if you received or completed a degree or diploma in a Canadian tertiary institution.
4. Get a job offer
You can also get up to 200 points added to your CRS score if you have received an offer of employment from a recognized Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) employer.
5. Have Canadian work experience
You can be given a maximum of 150 points if you have fewer than three years of full-time work experience.
Final Thoughts on Canada Permanent Resident CRS Calculator
Getting your Canadian permanent residency will require you to make use of the Canada permanent resident CRS calculator. The CRS calculator tool is vital for you as an immigrant applicant and for the Canadian government. You must be aware of the requirements and the factors needed to score highly on this tool. Knowing enough about this tool will help you obtain a high CRS score, enabling you to be selected from the Express Entry pool. Hence, you will be sent an Invitation to Apply(ITA).
Frequently Asked Questions on Canada Permanent Resident CRS Calculator
[sp_easyaccordion id=”1958″]
