On this page, you will find:
- A breakdown of CRS points by age, education, and language
- How Canadian and foreign work experience affect your score
- Additional points for French speakers and provincial nominations
- Scoring details for your spouse or partner
- A full Express Entry CRS points table
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the points-based method Canada uses to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. CRS scores determine who receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Points are awarded based on key human capital factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience – both in and outside Canada. Understanding how the CRS works helps you improve your chances of being invited to apply.
This page outlines how each factor contributes to your CRS score, including extra points for French proficiency, a provincial nomination, or having a sibling in Canada.
1. Core/Human Capital Factors | ||
| AGE | With spouse | Single |
| 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | 90 | 99 |
| 19 | 95 | 105 |
| 20-29 | 100 | 110 |
| 30 | 95 | 105 |
| 31 | 90 | 99 |
| 32 | 85 | 94 |
| 33 | 80 | 88 |
| 34 | 75 | 83 |
| 35 | 70 | 77 |
| 36 | 65 | 72 |
| 37 | 60 | 66 |
| 38 | 55 | 61 |
| 39 | 50 | 55 |
| 40 | 45 | 50 |
| 41 | 35 | 39 |
| 42 | 25 | 28 |
| 43 | 15 | 17 |
| 44 | 5 | 6 |
| >45 | 0 | 0 |
| LEVEL OF EDUCATION | With spouse | Single |
| Secondary school (high school) credential | 28 | 30 |
| 1-year post-secondary program credential | 84 | 90 |
| 2-year post-secondary program credential | 91 | 98 |
| ≥3-year post-secondary program credential or a Bachelor’s degree | 112 | 120 |
| 2 post-secondary program credentials (one must be of least 3 years) | 119 | 128 |
| Master’s OR Entry-to-practice professional degree | 126 | 135 |
| Doctorate / PhD | 140 | 150 |
| LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY | With spouse | Single |
| First Official Language | Per ability | Per ability |
| CLB 4 or 5 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 6 | 8 | 9 |
| CLB 7 | 16 | 17 |
| CLB 8 | 22 | 23 |
| CLB 9 | 29 | 31 |
| CLB 10 or more | 32 | 34 |
| Second Official Language | Per ability | Per ability |
| CLB 5 or 6 | 1 | 1 |
| CLB 7 or 8 | 3 | 3 |
| CLB 9 or more | 6 | 6 |
| Additional points for both French and English | ||
| CLB 7 or more in French and CLB 4 or lower (or none) in English | 25 | 25 |
| CLB 7 or more in French and CLB 5 or higher in English | 50 | 50 |
| CANADIAN WORK EXPERIENCE | With spouse | Single |
| 0 – 1 year | 0 | 0 |
| 1 year | 35 | 40 |
| 2 years | 46 | 53 |
| 3 years | 56 | 64 |
| 4 years | 63 | 72 |
| ≥ 5 years | 70 | 80 |
2. Spouse or Common-law partner Factors | ||
| LEVEL OF EDUCATION | With spouse | Single |
| Less than secondary school (high school) credential | 0 | NA |
| Secondary school (high school) credential | 2 | NA |
| 1-year post-secondary program credential | 6 | NA |
| 2-year post-secondary program credential | 7 | NA |
| ≥3-year post-secondary program credential or Bachelor’s degree | 8 | NA |
| 2 or more post-secondary program credentials (one must be of at least 3 years) | 9 | NA |
| Master’s OR Entry-to-practice professional degree | 10 | NA |
| Doctorate / PhD | 10 | NA |
| LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY | With spouse | Single |
| First Official Language | per ability | NA |
| CLB 5 or 6 | 1 | NA |
| CLB 7 or 8 | 3 | NA |
| CLB ≥ 9 | 5 | NA |
| CANADIAN WORK EXPERIENCE | With spouse | Single |
| less than 1 year | 0 | NA |
| 1 year | 5 | NA |
| 2 years | 4 | NA |
| 3 years | 8 | NA |
| 4 years | 9 | NA |
| ≥ 5 years | 10 | NA |
3. Skills Transferability Factors | ||
| Education & Language | With spouse | Single |
| ≥ 1 year post-secondary program degree + CLB 7 or 8 | 13 | 13 |
| 2 post-secondary degrees/Master’s/PhD + CLB 7 or 8 | 25 | 25 |
| ≥ 1 year post-secondary program degree + CLB 9 in each ability | 25 | 25 |
| 2 post-secondary degrees/Master’s/PhD + CLB 9 in each ability | 50 | 50 |
| Education & Canadian Work Experience | With spouse | Single |
| ≥ 1 year post-secondary program degree + 1 year Canadian work experience | 13 | 13 |
| 2 post-secondary degrees/Master’s/PhD + 1 year Canadian work experience | 25 | 25 |
| ≥ 1 year post-secondary program degree + 2-year Canadian work experience | 25 | 25 |
| 2 post-secondary degrees/Master’s/PhD + 2-year Canadian work experience | 50 | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience & Language | With spouse | Single |
| 1-2 years + CLB 7 or 8 | 13 | 13 |
| ≥ 3 years + CLB 7 or 8 | 25 | 25 |
| 1-2 years + CLB 9 or more | 25 | 25 |
| ≥ 3 years + CLB 9 or more | 50 | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience & Canadian Work Experience | With spouse | Single |
| 1-2 years of foreign work experience + 1-year Canadian work experience | 13 | 13 |
| ≥ 3 years of foreign work experience + 1-year Canadian work experience | 25 | 25 |
| 1-2 years of foreign work experience + 2-year Canadian work experience | 25 | 25 |
| ≥ 3 years of foreign work experience + 2-year Canadian work experience | 50 | 50 |
| Certificate of Qualification and Language | With spouse | Single |
| Certificate of Qualification + CLB 5, ≥ 1 CLB 7 | 25 | 25 |
| Certificate of Qualification + CLB 7 on all language abilities | 50 | 50 |
4. Provincial Nomination | ||
| Provincial nomination | With spouse | Single |
| Provincial nominee certificate | 600 | 600 |
5. Additional Points | ||
| Post-secondary education in Canada | With spouse | Single |
| Credentials of 1 or 2 years | 15 | 15 |
| Credential of 3 years or longer, Master or PhD | 30 | 30 |
| Sibling in Canada | With spouse | Single |
| Sibling in Canada who is over 18+, Canadian PR or citizen, residing in Canada | 15 | 15 |
FAQ: Understanding the Express Entry CRS Points Grid
What is the CRS score used for in Express Entry?
The CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score is used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
How can I increase my CRS score?
You can raise your CRS score by improving your language test results, gaining more work experience, earning a higher level of education, or securing a provincial nomination. Having a sibling in Canada or studying in Canada can also add points.
Do I get extra CRS points for knowing French?
Yes. If you achieve NCLC level 7 or higher in French, you can receive 25 or 50 additional CRS points depending on your English scores. These points support Canada’s effort to attract more French-speaking immigrants.
How does my spouse’s profile affect my CRS score?
If you include a spouse or common-law partner in your Express Entry profile, their education, language skills, and Canadian work experience can contribute additional CRS points. However, your own core points are slightly adjusted if you apply with a spouse.
What is the maximum CRS score I can get?
The maximum CRS score a candidate can achieve without a provincial nomination is around 600. With a provincial nomination, an additional 600 points are added, boosting the total possible score to 1,200.