If you’re seeking Canadian permanent residence (PR) through Express Entry, moving back to your home country could potentially boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. While it may seem counterintuitive, leaving Canada can help you gain additional points, especially if you haven’t yet maxed out your foreign work experience skill transferability factor.
Foreign Work Experience and CRS Points
Foreign nationals can gain up to 50 CRS points for foreign work experience under the skill transferability factor. If you haven’t yet reached 100 skill transferability points, gaining international skilled work experience in your home country could be highly beneficial.
Working in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) abroad allows you to accumulate foreign work experience, which can significantly improve your CRS score. Combining at least three years of foreign work experience with a CLB 9 language score or two years of Canadian work experience can help you gain these 50 points, potentially pushing your score above the cut-off needed for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in Express Entry draws.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Eligibility
It’s important to note that candidates who leave Canada are still eligible for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws if they meet the requirements. To qualify, candidates need at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, which must have been gained within three years prior to applying. IRCC often prioritizes in-Canada candidates under the CEC program, giving those applicants a higher chance of receiving an ITA.
Additional Ways to Improve Your CRS Score While Abroad
While living abroad, you may also have opportunities to improve your CRS score in other ways:
Improve Language Skills: You can earn up to 160 points for language proficiency in English or French. Re-taking language tests to achieve a higher CLB score or learning French can both significantly improve your chances of receiving an ITA.
Gain Additional Education: If you pursue a higher degree while abroad, this could help boost your score. After completing your education, you can get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that your foreign degree is equivalent to a Canadian degree.
Obtain a Provincial Nomination: If you qualify for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), receiving a nomination could add 600 points to your CRS score, making you almost guaranteed to receive an ITA in future Express Entry draws.
Spousal Factors
If you marry or enter into a common-law partnership while abroad, you’ll need to update your Express Entry application. Your CRS score may change based on your partner’s qualifications and experience. Alternatively, your spouse could become the primary applicant, which might increase your overall chances of being selected, depending on their CRS score.
Keeping Your Express Entry Profile Active
After submitting your Express Entry profile, it remains in the pool for up to 12 months. Leaving Canada does not affect your application, and you can update your profile with new information, such as additional work experience or improved language test scores.
Why You Should Enter the Express Entry Pool Early
Even if your CRS score isn’t initially high enough to receive an ITA, entering the Express Entry pool early can still be advantageous. IRCC uses a tie-breaking rule for candidates with the same CRS score, based on the date and time of profile submission. Entering the pool sooner increases your chances of receiving an ITA in the event of a tie.
How Kingsbridge Immigration Can Help
At Kingsbridge Immigration, we specialize in providing tailored solutions to help candidates maximize their CRS score and improve their chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residency. Whether you’re working on improving your CRS score through foreign work experience, education, or language skills, our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact Kingsbridge Immigration today to learn how we can assist you in optimizing your Express Entry profile and achieving your goal of Canadian permanent residency.