Recent patterns show that Express Entry candidates who are eligible for the category-based selection draw are likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) even if they have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score below 500.
CRS scores are numerical values based on a candidate’s human capital factors that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assigns to each eligible Express Entry candidate when entering the candidate pool.
In addition, CRS scores are used to determine the cut-off scores for each Express Entry draw. The cut-off scores reflect the lowest Express Entry profile score of all candidates who received an ITA during a given Express Entry draw.
These scores are important, as any candidate with a CRS score lower than the prescribed cut-off will not be considered for an ITA for Canadian permanent residence in that specific draw.
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In recent weeks, several outlets have indicated that many immigration candidates are expressing concern over the high CRS cut-off scores. So far in 2024, there has been no general Express Entry draw with a minimum/cut-off CRS score lower than 524.
Comment: In 2023, 17 of IRCC’s 25 non-category-based Express Entry draws (general and program-specific combined) had a CRS cut-off score below 518. Six of these draws had cut-offs between 500 and 517, while 11 draws had cut-offs below 496.
CRS Score for Category-Based Selection Draw in 2024
IRCC has conducted eight category-based Express Entry draws so far this year.
Compared to IRCC’s nine general and program-specific draws this year, the department’s CRS cut-off for category-based draws has been at least 33 points lower in each of the 2024 draws.
Specifically, here are the details of IRCC’s eight category-based draws so far this year:
February 1: French Language Proficiency Draw: Minimum CRS: 365
February 14: Healthcare Draw: Minimum CRS: 422
February 16: Agriculture & Agri-Food Draw: Minimum CRS: 437
February 29: French Language Proficiency Draw: Minimum CRS: 336
March 13: Transport Draw: Minimum CRS: 430
March 26: French Language Proficiency Draw: Minimum CRS: 338
April 11: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Draw: Minimum CRS: 491
April 24: French Language Proficiency Draw: Minimum CRS: 410
Accordingly, Express Entry candidates who are concerned about achieving a high enough CRS score for IRCC’s general draws may find it beneficial to obtain an ITA through IRCC’s category-based Express Entry draws, as this allows eligible candidates to take advantage of the generally lower CRS cut-off requirement.
Am I eligible for category-based selection?
To be eligible for ITA through category-based Express Entry draws, candidates must meet specific criteria based on their category.
More: Visit this dedicated webpage for more information on all six categories, and see if you might be eligible for IRCC’s category-based draws based on your NOC code and other criteria.
Specifically, in addition to meeting all the requirements included in the instructions for a specific round of invitation, applicants must also meet additional criteria depending on the category applied for.
French language proficiency category
- Achieve a minimum of 7 points in all four language competencies (speaking, reading, writing and listening) in the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
More information: In April, IRCC announced that the majority (30%) of ITAs issued through category-based draws this year would be issued based on French language proficiency.
Occupational Categories
In 2024, IRCC has decided to focus on immigration candidates with eligible work experience in the following five industries:
- Health care
- Trunk
- Trades
- transportation
- Agriculture and agri-food
All occupational categories eligible for category-based selection require candidates to have at least six months of eligible full-time, continuous (or equivalent part-time) work experience in the past three years. This work experience may have been obtained in Canada or abroad.
Comment: Although the list of eligible National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes varies depending on the occupational category, the qualifying work experience must have been obtained in the same occupation under a qualifying NOC in a certain category.
Who is likely to benefit the most from the category-based selection draw?
Assuming a candidate is eligible*, foreign nationals who will require a category-based draw are those with a CRS score below 500.
Comment: The CRS score shown above is based on the minimum CRS cut-off score for any normal draw in 2024, which was 524 on March 25.
Immigration candidates with a CRS score around 500 and eligible candidates who do not meet this standard, if they are unable to increase their CRS score by other means, will require a category-based selection draw to obtain an ITA for permanent residence in Canada.
What if I am not eligible?
For candidates looking to improve their CRS score for general draw, there are a few strategies to get a higher score without changing occupations.
Language
Language is a factor which, if maximized, can yield up to 310 CRS points (when combined with other factors such as higher secondary education).
In other words, having a language competency (speaking, reading, writing, and/or listening) above the minimum requirements for any of the three Express Entry-managed programs can help a candidate score more CRS points.
For example, although the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) only requires a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, it is possible to achieve up to CLB 10. In this case, each level achieved above CLB 7 will earn the candidate more CRS points.
In addition, proficiency in a second official Canadian language may allow Express Entry candidates to earn more CRS points. In other words, in addition to the CRS points candidates can earn for first language proficiency, candidates can also earn 6 additional CRS points (per language ability) for proficiency in a second official Canadian language.
In addition to increasing a candidate’s CRS score, learning a second official language is also beneficial for newcomers to Canada in several other ways. For example, it can make working-age newcomers more employable in the eyes of companies recruiting for vacant positions. The ability to communicate in a second official language often makes socializing easier and making one more comfortable in a new environment.
Education
Education is a factor that can count up to 250 CRS points, depending on where the candidate obtained his or her educational qualifications (inside or outside Canada).
Therefore, by pursuing further education or completing Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for existing certificates, candidates can improve their CRS score.
Comment: According to IRCC, economic immigration candidates who received education outside Canada are required to obtain an ECA for their highest educational qualification outside Canada.
Work Experience
The CRS score can be increased depending on the NOC level of the applicant.
Therefore, evaluating your current work experience to see if your duties are in line with what the NOC considers “skilled” by IRCC can enable you to score more points. Similarly, assessing the amount of time you have spent in a given job can help you score more points, as IRCC awards points for full-time or equivalent part-time work experience based on duration.
Additionally, gaining more work experience can be another way to increase your CRS score.
Changing the main applicant on your Express Entry profile
In some cases where an Express Entry applicant is accompanied by a spouse or common-law partner, it may be worth looking at who has the higher CRS score.
If this review shows that the main applicant initially selected on the Express Entry profile has a lower CRS than his/her spouse/partner, it may be appropriate to make the spouse or common-law partner the main applicant.
This will improve the CRS score of the profile and increase the candidate’s chances of getting ITA, provided the candidate fulfils all other eligibility criteria.
Comment: Alternatively, couples can also choose to submit separate Express Entry profiles for each spouse/partner.
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