Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
Canada ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS awards points for factors such as age, education, language ability, skilled work experience, and adaptability.
Candidates with the highest CRS scores are more likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.
What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based ranking system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Every eligible candidate who submits an Express Entry profile receives a CRS score out of 1,200 points. IRCC regularly conducts Express Entry draws and invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The CRS helps Canada identify applicants who are most likely to succeed economically and integrate successfully into Canadian society.
The Express Entry system manages applications for Canada’s major economic immigration programs, including:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
How Does the CRS Work?
When you create an Express Entry profile, the CRS evaluates your background and assigns points based on several factors.
The CRS is divided into three main categories:
- Core/Human Capital Factors — up to 500 points
- Skill Transferability Factors — up to 100 points
- Additional Factors — up to 600 points
The maximum possible CRS score is 1,200 points.
1. Core/human Capital Factors
Core human capital factors measure your ability to establish yourself economically in Canada.
These factors include:
- Age
- Level of education
- English and/or French language proficiency
- Canadian work experience
If you apply with a spouse or common-law partner, IRCC will also assess:
- Their education
- Language proficiency
- Canadian work experience
These factors make up the majority of your CRS score and can significantly impact your chances of receiving an ITA.
Detailed Core/Human Capital Factors CRS Point Breakdown
Factors Points
With a spouse or common-law partner 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
Maximum 460 500
Age
Age With a spouse or common-law partner Without a spouse or common-law partner
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
Maximum 100 110
Education
Level of Education With a spouse or common-law partner Without a spouse or common-law partner
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
Maximum 140 150
Spouse Education
Spouse’s or common-law partner’s level of education Points awarded
Less than secondary school (high school) 0
Secondary school (high school graduation) 2
One-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 6
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical in school, or other institute 7
Bachelor's degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 8
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years 9
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
Doctoral level university degree (PhD) 10
Maximum 10
Language Skills
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability With a spouse or common-law partner Without a spouse or common-law partner
*Points are awarded for each language ability: Speaking, listening, writing, and reading
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
Maximum 128 136
Second Official Language Skills
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability With a spouse or common-law partner Without a spouse or common-law partner
*Points are awarded for each language ability
CLB 4 or less 0 0
CLB 5 or 6 1 1
CLB 7 or 8 3 3
CLB 9 or more 6 6
Maximum 22 24
Spouse or Common-law Partner’s Language Skills
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening) With spouse or common-law Partner
*Points are awarded for each language ability
CLB 4 or less 0
CLB 5 or 6 1
CLB 7 or 8 3
CLB 9 or more 5
Maximum 20
Canadian Work Experience
Canadian work experience With a spouse or common-law partner Without a spouse or common-law partner
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
Maximum 70 80
Spouse or Common-law Partner’s Canadian Work Experience
Spouse's Canadian work experience With spouse or common-law partner
None or less than a year 0
1 year 5
2 years 7
3 years 8
4 years 9
5 years or more 10
Maximum 10
2. Skill Transferability Factors
Skill transferability factors reward candidates who combine education, foreign work experience, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience in ways that improve their long-term success in Canada.
IRCC evaluates the following combinations:
Education
You may receive additional points based on:
- Your education level combined with strong language scores
- Your education combined with Canadian work experience
Education and Language Skills
| With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 7 or higher) and a post-secondary degree | Points for CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, with one or more under CLB 9 | Points for CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Maximum | 25 | 50 |
Education and Canadian Work Experience
| With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree | Points for education + 1 year of Canadian work experience | Points for education + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Master's level degree | 25 | 50 |
| Doctoral (PhD) | 25 | 50 |
| Maximum | 25 | 50 |
Foreign Work Experience
You may earn additional points if you combine:
- Foreign work experience with strong language ability
- Foreign work experience with Canadian work experience
Foreign Work Experience and Language Skills
| Years of experience | Points for foreign work experience + CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under 9 | Points for foreign work experience + CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Maximum | 25 | 50 |
Foreign Work Experience and Canadian Work Experience
| Years of experience | Points for foreign work experience + 1 year of Canadian work experience | Points for foreign work experience + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Maximum | 25 | 50 |
Certificate of Qualification in a Skilled Trade
Candidates with a Canadian trade certification may receive additional points based on their language proficiency.
Certificate of Qualification
CLB 5 or more on all first official language abilities CLB 7 or more on all four first official language abilities
With a certificate of qualification 25 50
Maximum 25 50
3. Additional CRS Points
IRCC also awards bonus CRS points for factors that support Canadian economic and demographic priorities.
You may receive additional points for:
- A provincial nomination
- French-language proficiency
- Canadian post-secondary education
- Having a sibling in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident
- Other targeted immigration factors
Additional CRS Factors
Factor Points
Brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident) 15
French language skills 50
Post-secondary education in Canada 30
PN nomination 600
Maximum 600
Immigration Tip 💡
A provincial nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) adds 600 additional CRS points to your Express Entry profile, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
How Can I Increase My CRS Score?
There are several ways to improve your CRS score and strengthen your Express Entry profile.
Improve Your Language Test Scores
Language ability remains one of the most important CRS factors. Retaking your IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF exam and improving your scores can significantly increase your ranking.
Gain More Skilled Work Experience
Additional Canadian or foreign skilled work experience may increase both your core CRS score and your skill transferability points.
Complete Another Educational Credential
Higher levels of education often result in higher CRS scores. Completing an additional diploma, degree, or certification may improve your ranking.
Apply Through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and dramatically improves your chances of receiving an ITA.
Add Your Spouse Strategically
If you are married or in a common-law partnership, compare both partners’ CRS scores. In some cases, the spouse may qualify as the stronger principal applicant.
Improve Your French Language Skills
Strong French-language proficiency can unlock category-based Express Entry draws and additional CRS bonus points.
Gain Canadian Education or Work Experience
Canadian credentials and work experience can substantially strengthen your profile and improve eligibility for targeted immigration streams.
Immigration Tip 💡
If you are married or in a common-law partnership, you and your spouse can each submit an Express Entry profile as the principal applicant. This strategy may improve your chances of receiving an ITA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get more CRS points if I apply with a spouse?
CRS points are calculated differently depending on your marital status.
If your spouse or common-law partner accompanies you to Canada, IRCC will evaluate both of your profiles. Your spouse can contribute additional points through:
- Language test results
- Education credentials
- Canadian work experience
If your spouse is non-accompanying or already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, your CRS score will be calculated as a single applicant.
What CRS score do I need for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?
Each province sets its own eligibility requirements for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Some provinces require minimum CRS scores to qualify for nomination. For example:
- Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream generally requires a CRS score of at least 400
- Alberta’s Express Entry Stream may consider candidates with CRS scores as low as 300
Requirements can change frequently depending on labour market needs and immigration priorities.
How does a Provincial Nominee Program increase my CRS score?
If you receive a provincial nomination through an Express Entry-linked PNP, you receive an additional 600 CRS points.
This increase almost guarantees that you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a future Express Entry draw.
Most provinces target candidates who:
- Fill labour shortages
- Have in-demand work experience
- Have ties to the province
- Meet specific economic priorities
Candidates nominated through a PNP are expected to settle in the nominating province.
Does a job offer increase my CRS points?
A job offer does not increase your CRS points.
As of March 25, 2025, job offers no longer provide CRS bonus points. However, they can still:
- Strengthen your profile
- Improve eligibility for certain PNPs
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