How to calculate Express Entry points in 2024?

Express Entry is one of the most popular ways of settling in Canada as a Skilled Worker from overseas. However, the Canada Express Entry system uses a points system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

It is crucial to understand the full process and how you can calculate your CRS score if you want to increase your chances of getting invited. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you out. Here’s a detailed guide to help you understand and calculate your CRS points for Canadian immigration in 2024.

How to Calculate Express Entry Points

Canada Express Entry points refers to the CRS score. It is based on multiple factors like age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and additional criteria. There’s actually an IRCC express entry points calculator provided by the Canadian Government on their official website that you can use to calculate your Express Entry points. This is the easiest way to calculate your score. 

However, here are few things you need to understand about the basis of the calculation:

• The younger you are, the more points you receive.
• The higher your level of education, the higher points you receive
• The better you are at English and French, the higher points you receive.
• The more work experience you have, the higher points you receive.
• You also receive points based on the same factors for your spouse or common-law partner (if you are married).
• You can also receive points for a provincial nomination, a valid job offer, Canadian education, a sibling in Canada, etc.

Express Entry Points Breakdown

The CRS score is divided into four main sections which is also the Canada Express Entry points breakdown:

Your Personal Core/Human Capital Factors (Maximum 460 points)

• Age: Up to 100 points
• Level of Education: Up to 140 points
• Language Proficiency in English or French: Up to 150 points
• Canadian Work Experience: Up to 70 points

Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors (Maximum 40 points)

• Level of Education: Up to 10 points
• Language Proficiency in English or French: Up to 20 points
• Canadian Work Experience: Up to 10 points

Skill Transferability Factors (Maximum 100 points)

• Education and Language Proficiency: Up to 50 points
• Foreign Work Experience: Up to 50 points

Additional Points (Maximum 600 points)

• Provincial Nomination: 600 points
• Valid Job Offer: Up to 200 points
• Canadian Education: Up to 30 points
• Sibling with citizenship or PR in Canada: 15 points
• French Language Skills: Up to 50 points

Latest Express Entry Draw and Cut-Off Score

The latest Canada Express Entry Draw was made on August 27, 2024 and it issued 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, and the CRS cut-off score was 507. This followed an earlier draw that invited 1,121 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), with a minimum CRS score of 694. IRCC has increasingly conducted multiple draws every other week, focusing on PNP and CEC candidates to meet permanent residency targets for 2024-2026.

Key Points:

• The latest CEC-specific draw had a minimum CRS score requirement of 507, which means anyone who scored under the cut-off score of 507 wasn’t invited.
• A prior PNP draw in the same week invited 1,121 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 694.
• IRCC has been holding more frequent PNP and CEC draws recently.
• This approach supports meeting the permanent residency targets for 2024 and 2025.
• IRCC aims to admit 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025.

Tips to improve Express Entry CRS Score

There are multiple ways you can increase your chances of getting invited to permanently live in Canada. Here are some ways you can improve your Express Entry CRS Score:

• Improve Language Scores: Boosting your proficiency in English and/or French can add substantial points. Consider taking language courses and retaking language tests like IELTS or TEF to achieve higher scores.
• Gain More Work Experience: Accumulating additional years of skilled work experience, especially in Canada, can increase your CRS score.
• Study Masters of PhD: As we’ve indicated above, if you’re a masters or PhD graduate, you can get additional points in your CRS score.
• Secure a Job Offer from a Canadian Employer: Obtaining a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), can add up to 200 points.
• Obtain a PN (Provincial Nomination): Receiving a nomination from a Canadian province or territory can add 600 points to your CRS score, almost guaranteeing an ITA.
• Apply with Your Spouse: If applicable, including your spouse or common-law partner in your application and improving their language scores and education can also contribute to a higher CRS score.