How Leaving Canada Could Enhance Your CRS Score and Boost Your Chances for Permanent Residency
If you’re looking to achieve Canadian permanent residency (PR) through the Express Entry system, you might be surprised to learn that temporarily leaving Canada can actually improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, ultimately increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Here’s how relocating to your home country could provide a unique opportunity to improve your Express Entry profile.
Foreign Work Experience: The Key to Boosting CRS Points
The CRS system awards points based on various factors, and one of the most important is foreign work experience. If you gain international experience while working abroad in skilled occupations (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), you can earn up to 50 additional CRS points under the Skill Transferability section. This can be a game-changer in boosting your CRS score.
For candidates who may have maxed out their Canadian work experience points but still need extra points to improve their score, gaining foreign work experience could be the key to meeting the CRS cutoff for an ITA.
Case Study: How Leaving Canada Can Improve Your CRS Score
Let’s explore a hypothetical example of a candidate named Bhaji, who initially moved to Canada to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in business with a specialization in marketing.
Bhaji’s Profile Before Leaving Canada:
| Factor | Qualification | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 | 110 |
| Level of Education | Bachelor’s Degree | 120 |
| Official Languages (CLB 9) | English (CLB 9) | 120 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 2 years (on PGWP) | 50 |
| Skill Transferability (Education + Canadian Work Experience) | CLB 9 + Bachelor’s Degree | 50 |
| Study in Canada | Completed a 3-year degree | 30 |
| Total CRS Score | 480 |
At 480 CRS points, bhaji would not be competitive enough to receive an ITA in the Express Entry pool, as the CRS cutoff for draws has typically been over 500 points.
However, after his Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) expires, Bhaji decides to return to his home country, Dubai, to gain foreign work experience.
Bhaji’s Profile After Gaining Foreign Work Experience:
| Factor | Qualification | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 27 | 110 |
| Level of Education | Bachelor’s Degree | 120 |
| Official Languages (CLB 9) | English (CLB 9) | 124 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 2 years | 53 |
| Skill Transferability (Education + Canadian Work Experience) | CLB 9 + Bachelor’s Degree | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience | 2 years in Dubai | 50 |
| Study in Canada | Completed a 3-year degree | 30 |
| Total CRS Score | 530 |
Now with a CRS score of 530, Bhaji is much more likely to receive an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw, especially if the CRS cutoff is closer to 529 or 530.
Foreign Work Experience: How It’s Calculated
The CRS system evaluates foreign work experience as part of the Skill Transferability factors. Candidates can gain additional points based on factors like language proficiency and Canadian work experience. Below is the breakdown of how points are awarded for foreign work experience:
Foreign Work Experience and Language Proficiency
| Years of Experience | Points (CLB 7 or higher) | Points (CLB 9 or higher) |
|---|---|---|
| No foreign work experience | 0 | 0 |
| 1-2 years of foreign work experience | 13 | 25 |
| 3 or more years of foreign work experience | 25 | 50 |
Foreign Work Experience with Canadian Work Experience
| Years of Foreign Work Experience | Points (1 year of Canadian work experience) | Points (2+ years of Canadian work experience) |
|---|---|---|
| No foreign work experience | 0 | 0 |
| 1-2 years of foreign work experience | 13 | 25 |
| 3 or more years of foreign work experience | 25 | 50 |
Additional Ways to Improve Your CRS Score While Abroad
- Enhancing Language Skills: While living abroad, you may have the opportunity to improve your language proficiency, which can significantly improve your CRS score.
- Improving your English or French proficiency can earn you up to 160 points for language skills.
- Learning French can grant you an additional 50 points and open up more immigration opportunities.
- Obtaining an Additional Degree: Pursuing further education while abroad can earn you additional points. A higher degree can give you up to 150 points, depending on the type of degree.
- Provincial Nomination: Earning a Provincial Nomination through Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can add a significant 600 points to your CRS score, dramatically increasing your chances of receiving an ITA.
What Happens to Your Express Entry Profile After You Leave Canada?
Once you submit your Express Entry profile, it remains in the candidate pool for 12 months. If you don’t receive an ITA during that time, you can resubmit your profile. Leaving Canada does not affect the status of your Express Entry application.
Final Thoughts
Relocating to your home country for a period could provide the boost you need to improve your CRS score. By gaining foreign work experience, enhancing language skills, or furthering your education, you can increase your chances of getting an ITA for Canadian Permanent Residency. If you’re looking to maximize your CRS points, consider these strategies while abroad.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
