Comprehensive Ranking System

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system that is used to assess and score a candidate’s profile to rank them in the Express Entry pool.

The CRS will assess the profile information candidates submit, including:

• skills,

• work experience,

• language ability,

• education and other factors.

We have found these factors all play a role in economic success for immigrants once in Canada. Additional points will be awarded for candidates who have a job offer or a nomination by one of Canada’s provinces or territories under theirprovincial nominee programs.

CIC will issue an Invitation to Apply to the highest ranking candidates from the pool through regular “rounds of invitations” so they can apply to immigrate as a permanent resident.

A goal of Express Entry is to ensure strong links between economic immigration and the Canadian labour market. For that reason, qualified candidates who also have a job offer will get enough points to ensure they are ranked high enough to get an invitation to apply.

An employer will need to ensure the job offer is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This process ensures they have first tried to find Canadians to fill job openings.

Similarly, a nomination by a province or territory, will give a candidate additional points to rank high enough to be invited to apply at the next eligible round of invitations.

Comprehensive Ranking System formula

All Express Entry candidates will be given a score out of 1,200, based on the four parts of the Comprehensive Ranking System formula:

A. Core / human capital factors          B. Spoouse or common-law             C. Skill Transferability factors         D. Additional points

                                                                    partner factors                                    (Maximum 100 points)                     (Maximum 600 points)

A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors = Maximum 500 points (with OR without a spouse or common-law partner)

A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner + C. Transferability factors = Maximum 600 points

A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors + C. Transferability factors + D. Additional points = Grand total – Maximum 1,200 points

Credential Assessment in Canada

You will need to have the education, work experience or professional credentials you received outside Canada assessed if you are:

• immigrating to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker

• coming to Canada to work in specific professions or trades, or

• coming to Canada to study,

To get your credentials assessed to work in Canada, consult one of the six approved members of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada(ACESC) below:

If so, contact one of the academic credential assessment services to obtain detailed information on:

• application forms;

• how to submit your international academic credentials for assessment;

• timelines and fees for obtaining an academic credential assessment report.

An academic credential assessment for general purposes can take between several weeks to several months to obtain. It is strongly recommended that you begin this process prior to your arrival in Canada.

Although assessment services offer expert advice on how qualifications obtained outside Canada compare with those obtained in Canada, their assessments are advisory only. In Canada, they do not guarantee recognition of your qualifications for:

• admission at an educational institution;

• certification, licensing, or registration in an occupation; and/or

• general employment.