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The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) 67-point system is a pass/fail threshold that determines if you're eligible to enter the Express Entry pool under the FSWP category. You need at least 67 points to qualify.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), on the other hand, is used to rank all eligible candidates within the Express Entry pool (including those who entered through FSWP, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program). Your CRS score (out of 1200 points) determines your position in the pool, with higher-scoring candidates more likely to receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

In summary: FSWP determines eligibility to enter the pool; CRS determines your ranking within the pool and likelihood of receiving an invitation.

For the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you need a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking) in your first official language to be eligible.

For the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), there is no minimum requirement, but higher language scores significantly increase your CRS points. For maximum points, you should aim for CLB 10 or higher in all abilities. Additional points are also available if you have proficiency in both English and French.

There are several ways to improve your CRS score:

• Improve language scores: Higher language test scores in English and/or French significantly impact your CRS ranking.
• Obtain a higher level of education: Completing additional education programs or getting an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign credentials.
• Gain Canadian work experience: Work experience in Canada is highly valued in the CRS.
• Obtain a provincial nomination: A provincial nomination certificate adds 600 points to your CRS score.
• Apply with a spouse who has strong human capital factors: If applying with a spouse, their education, language abilities, and Canadian work experience can add points.
• Demonstrate French language skills: Strong French language ability can earn additional points.

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is an evaluation of your completed foreign credentials to determine their Canadian equivalency. The ECA must be issued by an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

If you completed your education outside of Canada, you need an ECA to claim points for your education in both the FSWP eligibility assessment and the CRS calculation. An ECA verifies that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equivalent to a Canadian credential.

ECAs are valid for 5 years from the date of issue for immigration purposes.

CRS cut-off scores vary with each Express Entry draw, depending on factors like the number of candidates in the pool and the number of invitations issued in each draw. Recent draws have had cut-off scores ranging from 450 to 510 points.

The most recent draw (as of April 2025) had a CRS cut-off score of 491 points. It's important to regularly check the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the latest draw results, as cut-off scores can change significantly over time.

Program-specific draws (targeting candidates eligible for specific programs like Canadian Experience Class) may have different cut-off scores than all-program draws.

Your Express Entry profile remains valid for 12 months from the date of submission. If you haven't received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during this period, you can create and submit a new profile if you still meet the eligibility requirements.

It's important to keep your profile up-to-date during this 12-month period. If your circumstances change (e.g., improved language test scores, additional education, new work experience), you should update your profile as these changes could increase your CRS score.

As of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) removed the points for Arranged Employment from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Previously, a valid job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or LMIA-exempt could award between 50 and 200 CRS points.

This change was made to prioritize candidates with strong human capital factors rather than those with job offers. However, a valid job offer still provides 10 points in the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) eligibility assessment.

It's important to note that while job offers no longer directly provide CRS points, Canadian work experience (which might result from working in Canada on a work permit) still awards significant points in the CRS.

Express Entry draws are typically conducted every two weeks, but the frequency can vary. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not follow a fixed schedule for draws.

IRCC sometimes conducts program-specific draws that only invite candidates eligible for specific programs (like Canadian Experience Class or Provincial Nominee Program), while other draws are "all-program" draws that consider candidates from all Express Entry programs.

The number of invitations issued in each draw can also vary significantly, from several hundred to several thousand, which affects the CRS cut-off score.