1. Get a Provincial Nomination (+600 points)
This is by far the biggest single boost you can get. A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score, virtually guaranteeing you receive an ITA in the next draw.
Every province and territory (except Quebec and Nunavut) has its own PNP with different streams. Many have "Express Entry aligned" streams that directly boost your CRS. The catch: PNPs are competitive, have limited spots, and often target specific occupations or regions. Research which province best matches your profile and apply early.
2. Improve your English test scores (+up to 136 points)
Language is the highest-value core factor in the CRS. Your first official language can earn up to 136 points, and each CLB level increase adds significant points — especially moving from CLB 8 to CLB 9 or CLB 9 to CLB 10+.
Retaking the IELTS or CELPIP is the most accessible improvement for most candidates. Many people score higher on their second attempt simply from familiarity with the format.
Free prep resources are widely available — IELTS Liz, E2 Language, and official practice tests from British Council and Paragon Testing all offer solid preparation materials at no cost. Read our IELTS vs CELPIP comparison to decide which test suits you better.
3. Learn French (+up to 50 bonus points)
Even moderate French proficiency earns substantial bonus points. Candidates with strong English AND French (CLB 7+ in both) get up to 50 additional points that don't come from any other factor. French is also increasingly favoured in category-based draws, with lower cut-off scores.
French-language draws have had cut-offs as low as 379 — hundreds of points lower than general draws. If you have any French ability, getting it certified is one of the highest-ROI moves.
4. Get Canadian work experience (+40–80 points)
One year of Canadian skilled work experience adds 40 points (single applicant), and each additional year adds more — up to 80 points for 5+ years. Canadian experience also unlocks skill transferability bonuses when combined with education and language scores.
Ways to gain Canadian experience: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after studying in Canada, International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday visa, employer-sponsored LMIA work permit, or an intra-company transfer.
5. Get your education credential assessed
If you studied outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to get any education points. Without it, IRCC treats your education as "none" — meaning you leave hundreds of potential CRS points on the table.
WES (World Education Services) is the most commonly used provider. The process takes 2–3 months, so start early. See our complete WES ECA guide for step-by-step instructions.
6. Get a higher education credential (+up to 150 points)
Education points scale significantly at higher levels. A master's degree is worth considerably more than a bachelor's, and a PhD is worth the most. If you're a few points short, pursuing a Canadian graduate program gives you a double benefit: higher education points AND Canadian education bonus points (+15 for a 1-year program, +30 for 2+ years).
7. Get a valid Canadian job offer
A valid Canadian job offer no longer adds CRS bonus points. IRCC removed CRS job-offer points on March 25, 2025. A job offer can still matter for program eligibility, proof-of-funds exemptions, and your overall immigration strategy, so it remains valuable even without the old +50 / +200 CRS boost.
8. Have your spouse improve their profile
If you're applying with a spouse or common-law partner, their education, language scores, and Canadian work experience all contribute to your total CRS. Sometimes the biggest gain comes from having your spouse take a language test or complete an ECA.
Also consider which partner should be the primary applicant. If one partner scores significantly higher, switching who is "primary" vs. "accompanying" can change your total score substantially.
9. Apply through Canadian Experience Class
If you're eligible for CEC, you may benefit from category-based draws that specifically target Canadian experience. These draws tend to have more favourable cut-offs than general all-program draws. Category-based selections for CEC, healthcare, STEM, and French-language candidates have been frequent since 2023.
10. Combine factors for skill transferability bonuses
The CRS awards up to 100 bonus points for combinations of factors. For example, strong language scores combined with a post-secondary credential earn additional points that neither factor earns alone. The key combinations are:
- Education + language proficiency
- Education + Canadian work experience
- Foreign work experience + Canadian work experience
- Foreign work experience + language proficiency
See our CRS scoring breakdown for the full transferability tables.