Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system used to rank candidates applying for permanent residence via Express Entry. The CRS ranks applicants on the following:
Core Human Capital Factors – these include age, marital status, education, work experience and language ability
Skills Transferability Factors – including work experience both in Canada and overseas, qualifications in certain skills, and language proficiency
Additional Factors – additional points may be awarded for provincial nominations, for those who have studied in Canada, a job offer, family with permanent residence and French language ability.
How Points are Awarded for the CRS
The CRS involves a total of 1200 possible points. These are split between the three groups of factors described above, and differ whether or not the application involves a spouse.
Without a Spouse or Partner:
- Core Human Capital Factors = a maximum of 500 points
- Skills Transferability Factors = a maximum of 100 points
- Additional Factors = maximum 600 points
With a Spouse or Partner:
- Core Human Capital Factors = 460 points for the principal applicant, plus 40 for the spouse
- Skills Transferability Factors = a maximum of 100 points
- Additional Factors = maximum 600 points
The following factors are recent additions to the CRS:
- 15 additional points for French speaking candidates with English of CLB 4 or lower
- 30 additional points for French speaking candidates with English CLB 5 or better
- 15 additional points for candidates with a sibling in Canada who is a citizen or has permanent residence and is 18 years or older. This also applies to the spouse.
How Points are Awarded
The scale of points awarded in each of the factors is determined by certain aspects of the applicant’s situation. For example, under Core Human Capital Factors a candidate aged between 20-29 years will be awarded 110 points. As the age increases the points awarded become less.
Points for education begin with 30 points for secondary school credentials rising to 150 for a doctorate degree, while language ability in English and French is measured in terms of speaking, writing, reading, and listening with a maximum of 34 awarded for each in relation to ability. Work experience in Canada carries a maximum of 80 points if the candidate has more than 5 years. In this category, the presence of a spouse or common-law partner adds slight changes.
Skills Transferability Factors include work experience in Canada and elsewhere, plus language ability and qualifications in particular trades. There are no points awarded for a spouse.
Additional Factors cover a wide range of attributes including language ability, family and friends with permanent residence, and extra points for those who have studied in Canada and who have job offers.
The biggest score is for a PNP nomination certificate which automatically scores 600 points if awarded by any province except Quebec.