On This Page, You Will Find:
- What the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is
- The four sections of the CRS grid and their maximum points
- Core human capital factors
- Spouse or common-law partner factors
- Skill transferability factors
- The 600 additional points
- The 2025 removal of job-offer points
- Frequently asked questions
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the points-based formula used to rank candidates in Canada’s Express Entry pool. It is scored out of a maximum of 1,200 points. When IRCC holds a round of invitations, the highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence. The CRS grid below sets out exactly how those points are awarded.
You can estimate your own total with our CRS Score Calculator, and read how ranking fits into the wider process in our guide to Canada Express Entry immigration.
The Four Sections of the CRS Grid
The CRS is divided into four sections. The maximum points available depend on whether you have an accompanying spouse or common-law partner:
- A. Core human capital factors – up to 500 points (or 460 if you have an accompanying spouse/partner, with the remaining 40 assigned to the spouse’s factors).
- B. Spouse or common-law partner factors – up to 40 points (only if they are coming with you).
- C. Skill transferability factors – up to 100 points.
- D. Additional points – up to 600 points.
Sections A + B together are capped at 500. The grand total across all sections cannot exceed 1,200.
A. Core Human Capital Factors
These reward your own age, education, language ability and Canadian work experience. Points differ slightly depending on whether you have an accompanying spouse or partner:
- Age – up to 110 points (100 with a spouse). Points peak between ages 20 and 29 and taper to zero at 45 and over.
- Level of education – up to 150 points (140 with a spouse).
- Official language proficiency – up to 160 points (150 with a spouse), across your first and second official languages.
- Canadian work experience – up to 80 points (70 with a spouse).
B. Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors
If your spouse or partner is immigrating with you, they can contribute up to 40 points:
- Level of education – up to 10 points
- Official language proficiency – up to 20 points
- Canadian work experience – up to 10 points
There are no skill-transferability points for a spouse or partner.
C. Skill Transferability Factors
This section rewards combinations of strong credentials that improve your chances in the labour market, up to a total of 100 points. It looks at how your education and work experience interact:
- Education combined with language ability, or with Canadian work experience – up to 50 points
- Foreign work experience combined with language ability, or with Canadian work experience – up to 50 points
- A certificate of qualification in a trade combined with language ability – up to 50 points
D. Additional Points (Up to 600)
Additional points can dramatically change your ranking:
- Provincial or territorial nomination – 600 points. This effectively guarantees an invitation to apply.
- A sibling in Canada (citizen or permanent resident, aged 18+) – 15 points.
- French-language ability – 25 points (strong French with limited English) or 50 points (strong French with at least CLB 5 English).
- Post-secondary education in Canada – 15 points for a one- or two-year credential, or 30 points for a credential of three years or more.
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 |
The 2025 Removal of Job-Offer Points
Historically, a valid arranged job offer added 50 or 200 CRS points. Effective March 25, 2025, and until further notice, IRCC removed these points. Candidates no longer receive any CRS points for a job offer, whether or not it is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment. The change shifts the system’s emphasis onto a candidate’s own human capital – age, education, language and experience. A job offer may still help you qualify under a specific program, but it will not raise your CRS score.
How to Improve Your CRS Score
Because the score now rests almost entirely on your own profile, the most reliable ways to improve it include retaking a language test to reach a higher benchmark, gaining additional skilled work experience, completing further education and obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment, learning French to claim the bonus points, or pursuing a provincial nomination for the decisive 600 points. Candidates coming from abroad may also consider the Federal Skilled Worker Program route into the pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum CRS score?
The maximum possible CRS score is 1,200 points. This includes up to 600 core points (across your own and, if applicable, your spouse’s factors), up to 100 skill-transferability points, and up to 600 additional points – most commonly a 600-point provincial nomination.
How many points is a provincial nomination worth?
A nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program stream linked to Express Entry adds 600 CRS points. In practice this guarantees you will be invited to apply in a subsequent round of invitations.
Do I still get CRS points for a job offer?
No. Effective March 25, 2025, IRCC removed all additional CRS points for a valid job offer, and this remains in place until further notice. A job offer no longer affects your CRS score, though it may still be relevant to program eligibility.
How many CRS points can French add?
Strong French-language results can add either 25 or 50 points. You receive 50 points if you have at least CLB 5 in English as well, or 25 points if your English is weaker. French-language candidates may also benefit from category-based draws.
Is the CRS grid different if I have a spouse?
Yes. With an accompanying spouse or partner, your own core human capital is capped at 460 points instead of 500, and the remaining 40 points come from your spouse’s education, language and Canadian work experience. The overall core maximum stays at 500.
