Tips To Improve Your CRS Score for Express Entry

Dear Ms Powell,

How can I get permanent residence in Canada? My husband is a chef and we would love to qualify.

- W.L.

Dear W.L.,

I am continuing my answer from two weeks ago, and I hope to provide you with tips on how to improve your Comprehensive Ranking Score, so that you can receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

You will need to provide language reports for English and/or French.

Canada is looking for individuals who can fill the gap in the labour market and contribute to the economy. They are looking for professionals or federal skilled workers, as well as certain specified skilled trade workers.

TRADE WORKERS

The skilled trades that are currently eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Programme and the Express Entry System are those that are classified as industrial, electrical, construction, maintenance and equipment operation, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, central control operators, chefs, cooks, butchers and bakers. All these skills are classified as skill-type B and will be admitted into the pool.

A report from the Canadian government revealed that over 12,000 individuals received invitations to apply for permanent residence in 2015. Majority of the applicants came from occupations such as food service supervisors, cooks, information systems analysts and consultants, software engineers, computer programmers, university professors and lecturers, financial auditors, accountants and investment analysts.

You will need to show proof of training and education by way of an Educational Credential Assessment report, as well as a minimum of one year's work experience in the occupation.

Your profile will be reviewed and points will be given based on factors such as core human capital; accompanying spouse or common-law partner; skill transferability and factors relating to a provincial nomination or a job offer from a qualified employer.

A single applicant can get up to 500 points just based on core human capital factors. Points will be awarded based on age, level of education, language proficiency and Canadian work experience (minimum of one continuous year).

Additional points can be obtained from receiving a valid job offer or provincial nomination. You can get an additional 600 points if you have a valid job offer with a Labour Market Impact Assessment report or a provincial nomination. You will need to submit a separate application to the provinces in order to receive a provincial nomination.

Here are examples of possible scores:

Mary is 27 years old with a master's degree. She scored the maximum points in each band in her English test; no French language exam; five years' post graduation work experience outside of Canada; no job offer; no provincial nomination. She is married to John 38, who has a bachelor's degree, received the maximum in the English test. They have one child and CDN$20,000 in savings.

Mary and John could get a score of approximately 488 based on the combined Core/Human, Spouse and Skill Transferability factors and likely to get an invitation to apply for permanent residence within six months.

Andrew is 24 years old; has a bachelor's degree; three years' work experience; English test scores of 8.5 in each band; French exam: 120 in each band; CDN$13,000 in savings; no children; no provincial nomination; no job offer.

He would get an approximate CRS of 441. He would be admitted into the express entry pool. However, his chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence would greatly improve if he does a one-year master's degree or re -sits the French examination and gets a minimum of 300 points in each band. That would result in his score improving to 452.

(OTHER UNPUBLISHED EXAMPLES)

Alan is a 45 years old, PhD from UWI, No children, 10 years work experience outside of Canada, CAD$50,000 savings, no PNP, No job offer. IELT maximum scores. TEF score 300 in each band. Brothers in Canada.

Alan could get approximately 350 points.  Although he has the highest possible points in Languages and Education, he would not receive points for his age.  He should still apply under express entry and also apply for a Provincial Nomination from a Province or Territory and also try to get a job offer via the job bank portal to increase his chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

Alan also has a girlfriend, Janice, 28 year old, ( dating less than 1 year and not living together), She has  a Masters, 3 years work experience, maximum IELTS scores, maximum French scores, No job offer, No PNP.

If Alan and Janice gets married their combined points would be approximately 516 and  they both stand a good chance of receiving an ITA and permanent residence of Canada within 6 months.

Lisa is single, 26 years old, Master Degree, scored the maximum on her IELTS, No French test, has 3 years’ post graduation work experience, no letter of nomination from a province, has CAD$12,500.00 in savings. No children.

Lisa could get a CRS of approximately 481 and could get an invitation to apply for permanent residence within 6 months.

Andrea is a single 35 years old with a PhD from University of London, Master and Bachelor degrees from UWI, maximum scores on her CELPIP, No job offer, No PNP, No children, 2 years work experience. Investments of US$12,000.00.

Andrea could get a CRS of approximately 466 and receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence within 6 months.  She should also apply for PNP to increase her chances of getting an additional 600 points.

Marcus is 32, Single, One year post secondary certification, 1 year work experience in Canada as a chef, 6 years work experience in Jamaica, has a relative in Canada, IELTS scores are 7 for reading, speaking, writing, 7.5 for listening, for French Exam he got basic score- Reading 125, Speaking 190, Listening 150, Writing 200, one child, Saving CAD$15,000.

Marcus would get approximately 416 for his CRS.   If he repeats the English examination and get a minimum of 8 in each band, his score would jump to approximately 448.  If he also repeated the French examination and scored a minimum of 230 in each band he could get a CRS of 454 and could get an invitation to apply for permanent residence within 6 months. He will need to have full legal custody of his child or have a written consent from his child’s mother.

Andrew is 24 years old, Bachelor Degree, 3 years work experience, IELTS scores 8.5 in each band, French Exam: 120 in each band, CAD$13,000 in savings, no children, No PNP, No job offer.

He would get an approximate score of 441.  He would be admitted into the express entry pool.  However, his chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence would greatly improve if he does a one year masters degree or re-sit the French, TEF examination and get a minimum of 300 points in each band. That would result in his score improving to 452.

So, you see it is important to get the highest possible scores for the language examinations. That is the easiest ways to increase your score and improve your chances of getting permanent residence in Canada. Pay special attention to the listening examination and aim for a minimum of nine in this particular category. This is a sure way of maximising your overall points.

To find out your score based on your particular situation and for additional tips on how to maximise your scores, consult with an immigration lawyer.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator and notary public. Send your questions and comments to info@deidrepowell.com or call 613.695.8777 or 876.922.4092. Find her on Facebook: Jamaicanlawyer.