In various cases, candidates planning to get permanent residency in Canada through the Express Entry system can get international and Canadian work experience simultaneously, which offers them extra CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points, increasing their chance of getting Canada PR.
This method will allow some candidates to boost their CRS score by more than 60 points within a year. This increase can improve a candidate's chances of securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Understanding the comprehensive ranking system
The comprehensive ranking system is a point-based method used by the Canadian immigration authority, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. This system awards points to candidates based on the following factors:
Core/human capital factors
Under this, points are given to candidates based on their age, educational qualification, professional qualification, language proficiency, and other related factors.
Spouse and common-law partner
Educational qualification, professional qualification, and language proficiency of the principal applicant's accompanying spouse or common-law partner.
Skill transferability factors
It includes education, foreign work experience, and Canadian work experience.
Additional factors
It includes a valid job offer, provincial nomination, and Canadian educational credentials.
Each factor contributes to the candidate's total CRS score, which determines the candidate's total CRS score and ranks the candidate's profile in the Express Entry pool. Higher CRS points mean higher chances of getting the ITA (Invitation to Apply).
Role of Work Experience in the Comprehensive Ranking System
Work experience plays a significant role in CRS, as it helps determine core/human capital and skill transferability factors. The following information explains the role of work experience in the CRS system.
Canadian work experience
Up to 80 points can be awarded to a candidate without a spouse/common-law partner under the human/core capital and skill transferability factors. However, candidates with one year of Canadian work experience can get up to 40 points, while those with 5 or more years of work experience can get up to 80 points.
Foreign work experience
The foreign work experience alone doesn't offer points in the core/human capital factors but plays a crucial role in the skill transferability factors.
Under this, a combination of foreign work experience with English language proficiency or Canadian work experience can award up to an extra 50 points.
By strategically understanding both types of work experience, candidates can maximise their CRS points.
Case Study of maximising CRS points through dual work experience
Take the hypothetical case of Sanjay Reddy, an Indian national aged 28:
- Present Situation: Sanjay lives in Canada with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and is employed full-time as a full-stack developer (a NOC TEER 1 job) with a Canadian IT firm.
- First CRS Score: With one year of experience in Canada and no experience working abroad, Sanjay's CRS score is 470.
An Indian technology firm offers Sanjay full-time, salaried employment as a User Interface consultant (NOC TEER 1 job). He takes this job, working for his Canadian employer by day and his Indian employer by night.
One Year Later:
- Canadian Work Experience: Increased to two years.
- Foreign Work Experience: Gather one year.
This double accumulation enables Sanjay to gain a total of 100 points possible under Skill Transferability Factors for foreign and Canadian work experience. Thus, his CRS score increased from 470 to 533, improving his chances of obtaining an ITA.
How can I gain foreign and Canadian work experience simultaneously?
Candidates planning to replicate Sanjay's situation are required to ensure that their Canadian work experience and foreign work experience meet some specific criteria:
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must ensure that both of their jobs are aligned with the NOC TEER categories and are eligible under the Express Entry (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
Continuous employment duration
Both jobs must be paid, continuous, and should meet the typical hours needed (full-time or equivalent part-time).
Location and employer
For overseas work experience, remote work for a foreign employer in Canada is allowed as long as all other requirements are fulfilled.
Documentation
Keep detailed records, such as offer letters of employment, contracts, pay stubs, and reference letters, to support both work experiences.
By handling these details carefully, candidates can simultaneously accrue both kinds of work experience.
Additional methods to enhance your CRS score
Apart from gaining work experience, applicants can take other steps to enhance their CRS scores:
- Language Proficiency: Scoring in language tests such as IELTS or TEF can earn many CRS points. For instance, a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 9 or above can release extra points regarding core/human capital and skill transferability factors.
- Educational Qualifications: Continuing education, such as a master's degree, can add points under Core/Human Capital Factors and could add to Skill Transferability points when done in conjunction with work experience.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): A nomination from a Canadian province adds 600 CRS points, effectively assuring an ITA.
- Siblings in Canada: A Canadian citizen or permanent resident sibling will add 15 points to the CRS score.
These strategies and gaining work experience can strengthen an Express Entry profile.
Recent changes in the comprehensive ranking system
As of March 25, 2025, the Canadian immigration authority, IRCC (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada), has removed allocating extra points to candidates for job offers.
Before that, candidates with a valid job offer in Canada can get up to 50 to 200 points, based on the NOC code. This amendment aims to reduce fraud and the misuse of job offers and increase CRS scores.
This change also tells candidates to focus more on the core/human capital factors if they want to secure an Invitation to apply through the Express Entry program.
To get detailed information about how you can enhance your CRS score more effectively, contact Province Immigration via +91 98961 96762 or info@provinceimmigration.com
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