The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the points-based ranking system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to select eligible candidates for Canada Immigration through Express Entry. A total of 1,200 points are available under the CRS. The Comprehensive Ranking System score is calculated based on three main factors.

Core Human Capital Factors (Maximum 500 points) This is the most important category in the CRS. Points are awarded based on the following:

• Age
• Level of Education
• Language Ability
• Canadian Work Experience (if any)
• Spouse’s level of education, language ability, and Canadian work experience (if married)

Skill Transferability Factors (Maximum 100 points) Skill Transferability Factors combine your education, work experience, and language skills to award additional points. There are five combinations, with a maximum of 50 points each. However, the total under this category cannot exceed 100 points, even if your score is higher. No points are awarded for the skill transferability of your spouse or common-law partner.

The five combinations are:

• Education and Canadian Work Experience
• Education and Language Ability
• Language Ability and Non-Canadian Work Experience
• Canadian and Non-Canadian Work Experience
• Certificate of Qualification in a Trade and Language Ability

Additional Factors (Maximum 600 points) Candidates can earn significant extra points through Additional Factors. The key areas include:

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): You receive 600 additional points for a nomination certificate under an enhanced Provincial Nominee Program from any Canadian province (except Quebec).
• Qualifying Job Offer: 200 points are awarded for a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in skilled occupations (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). Senior Management Occupations (Major Group 00) also qualify.
• Canadian Study Experience: You can claim 15 or 30 points based on your Canadian credential.
  • 15 points for a 1 or 2-year post-secondary program.
  • 30 points for a 3-year or longer program, or a university-level entry-to-practice professional degree, master’s degree, or doctoral (PhD) program in eligible NOC A occupations.
• French Language Ability:
  • 15 points if you have CLB 7 or higher in French and CLB 4 in English.
  • 30 points if you have CLB 7 or higher in French and CLB 5 or higher in English.
• Sibling in Canada: 15 points if you have a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.