Spending months in the Express Entry pool without receiving an Invitation to Apply is frustrating — but in most cases, it is not a dead end. It is a signal that your profile needs one of a small number of targeted improvements. Here are the seven most effective ways to raise your CRS score, ordered roughly by effort and impact.
1. Retake Your Language Test
Language scores carry more CRS weight than any other single factor — worth up to 136 points for a single applicant's results across English or French. The difference between CLB 8 and CLB 9 in all four abilities (reading, writing, speaking, listening) can add 20 to 40 or more points on its own.
Many candidates take their first test, get a decent score, and treat it as done. A second attempt, with focused preparation, often produces meaningfully better results. If your score is CLB 8 or below in any ability, this is almost always the first improvement worth pursuing.
Accepted tests for English are IELTS General Training and CELPIP General. For French: TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
2. Develop French Proficiency
Bilingual candidates receive a direct bonus of 25 additional points at CLB 7 or higher in French. Beyond that, strong French scores open category-based draws that have historically required lower cut-offs than general rounds.
If you have any French background — school, family, professional exposure — this is one of the most strategic investments you can make. Even reaching a solid CLB 7 across all abilities can shift your competitive position significantly.
3. Gain Canadian Work Experience
Each year of skilled work in Canada (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) adds directly to your Core CRS score and generates skill transferability points. It also builds eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class, which for many candidates is a stronger programme than the Federal Skilled Worker stream.
If you are currently in Canada on a work permit, every year counts. Do not underestimate the compounding value of staying and accumulating experience before applying.
4. Add or Improve Your Education
A master's degree or PhD earns more points than a bachelor's. Canadian education adds further points through skill transferability and the additional points category. A one-year college diploma in Canada generates fewer points than a three-year degree, but both count.
If additional education is feasible for you — whether a second degree, a graduate diploma, or a Canadian credential — model the point impact before committing. Sometimes the gain is significant enough to be worth the investment; sometimes another strategy is faster.
Book a consultation with our licensed RCIC consultant to discuss your specific situation.
Book a Consultation →5. Optimise Your Spouse's Contribution
If your partner has good language scores, Canadian education, or Canadian work experience, including them in your application can add up to 40 points. The decision is not always obvious: including a lower-scoring spouse can sometimes reduce your Core points while only partially recovering them from the spouse category.
Run both calculations — with and without your spouse — before finalising your profile. The optimal answer depends entirely on your individual circumstances.
6. Pursue a Provincial Nomination
A nomination from a provincial or territorial government adds 600 CRS points, which for nearly every candidate means an ITA at the next available draw. If your score is stuck below the general draw cut-off and other improvements are slow or difficult, a PNP is typically the most direct route to permanent residence.
Each province has its own streams and criteria. Some require a job offer; many do not. Eligibility depends on your occupation, language scores, and connection to the province. A profile review with an RCIC can identify which provincial streams you are most likely to qualify for.
7. Check Your Sibling Bonus
This one is often overlooked: if you have a brother or sister who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and is at least 18 years old, you are entitled to 15 additional CRS points. The relationship must be a full or half-sibling, and your sibling must currently hold that status.
Fifteen points is not transformative, but it is free — and in a competitive pool, it can be the margin that matters.
This post reflects CRS rules as of January 2026, including the removal of job offer points effective March 25, 2025. Verify current rules at canada.ca. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice.