Language Proficiency: A Powerful Tool to Boost Your Express Entry CRS Score
In Canada’s competitive Express Entry system, improving your language skills can significantly increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
For many candidates, especially those who may have lost points for arranged employment or other factors, language test performance can be a game-changer. In fact, as a principal applicant, you can earn up to 310 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points through language proficiency alone—making it one of the most influential factors in your overall profile.
How Language Tests Can Increase Your Score
There’s no limit to how many times you can re-take official language tests, such as CELPIP or IELTS for English, and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. This means candidates can continue improving their scores and re-submitting updated results to boost their Express Entry rankings.
Moreover, high French proficiency can open the door to category-based Express Entry draws focused on French-speaking candidates—many of which have featured lower CRS cut-off scores than general draws in 2024 and 2025.
How It Works: An Example
Take Amy, a 30-year-old applicant with a Canadian bachelor’s degree, three years of foreign work experience, five years of Canadian work experience, and CLB 8 (Canadian Language Benchmark) in English.
Her initial CRS score: 515—not enough to qualify for recent Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, which had cut-offs of 527, 521, and 547.
After a few months of study, Amy re-takes her English test and reaches CLB 9 across all abilities.
Her updated CRS score: 559—a 44-point increase that pushes her above the threshold for recent draws.
Where the Extra Points Came From
| Factor | With CLB 8 | With CLB 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 105 | 105 |
| Education | 120 | 120 |
| Official Languages | 92 | 124 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 80 | 80 |
| Skill Transferability – Language + Education | 13 | 25 |
| Skill Transferability – Canadian + Foreign Work Experience | 50 | 50 |
| Canadian Education | 30 | 30 |
| Total CRS Score | 515 | 559 |
Amy gained:
- 32 extra points for stronger language proficiency,
- 12 more points under skill transferability.
This jump made her a competitive candidate, highlighting how impactful even one CLB level increase can be.
Tips for Boosting Your Language Score
If you’re aiming for similar improvements, here’s how to get started:
1. Practice Every Day
Daily exposure to the language strengthens your skills faster. Make studying part of your routine and reward yourself for staying consistent.
2. Immerse Yourself in the Language
True immersion accelerates fluency. Consider French or English immersion programs, where you’ll be fully surrounded by the language for 6–8 weeks.
3. Use the Language in Real-Life Settings
Practice makes perfect—especially in real-world scenarios. Join conversation groups, book clubs, or language meetups to apply what you learn.
4. Take Mock Tests
Simulated practice tests prepare you for both the content and format of official exams, building familiarity and reducing test-day anxiety.
5. Leverage Free Prep Resources
Many test providers offer free online tools, webinars, and full-length sample tests. Use these to understand what to expect and identify areas to improve.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
