How Leaving Canada Can Improve Your CRS Score
For many Express Entry candidates, the idea of leaving Canada seems counterintuitive, especially after investing time and resources into building a life in the country. However, for some temporary residents, such as international students and workers, leaving Canada could strategically improve their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, increasing their chances of securing permanent residence.
Understanding the CRS System
The CRS is a points-based system used to rank Express Entry candidates. It evaluates factors like age, education, language proficiency, work experience (both in and outside Canada), and additional points for provincial nominations or job offers. The maximum score is 1,200 points.
Key Factors Impacted by Time in Canada
1. Age Penalties
The CRS rewards candidates aged 20–29 with the highest points (up to 110 for single applicants). For every year above 29, points decrease. By age 35, you lose 40 points compared to a 29-year-old.
2. Canadian Work Experience
Canadian work experience boosts CRS scores, but points cap after one year. Additional years may not significantly increase your score unless they enhance your “Skill Transferability” score. For international graduates or PGWP holders, staying in Canada without PR may lead to age-related point losses outweighing the benefits of more experience.
3. Education and Time Sensitivity
Completing a Canadian education program adds points, but waiting years after graduation for a viable CRS score may diminish this advantage as age penalties grow.
Why Leaving Canada Might Help
For some candidates, leaving Canada can reset or improve their CRS profile in several ways:
Restoration of Work Experience Balance
Gaining skilled foreign work experience can earn higher points under the “Skill Transferability” grid, especially when combined with Canadian experience. These points can offset or exceed age-related losses.
Strategic Language Improvement
Candidates struggling with language test scores may use time abroad to focus on improving their IELTS or TEF results, boosting their CRS score.
Eligibility for Other Programs
Leaving Canada may reset eligibility for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) designed for applicants outside Canada. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, nearly guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Common Scenarios Where Leaving Helps
International Graduates with Lower Language Scores or Little Canadian Experience
Graduates with low language scores or limited Canadian experience may benefit from returning home to gain at least one year of skilled work experience abroad, improving their “Skill Transferability” points.
PGWP Holders Facing Expiry
If unable to secure a high-skilled job in Canada before a PGWP expires, leaving to find skilled employment abroad can enhance your profile while avoiding further age penalties.
Strategic Considerations
This strategy isn’t universal. Candidates with high CRS scores in Canada or access to PNPs may not benefit. Leaving also carries risks, such as re-entry challenges and potential changes in immigration laws. Effectiveness depends on individual profiles, job opportunities abroad, and CRS trends.
For many, the decision to leave Canada is complex, balancing immigration goals with personal and career considerations. Yet, for some, it could be the strategic move needed to achieve permanent residence.
Source: CIC News
How Leaving Canada Can Improve Your CRS Score
Conclusion
While it might seem counterintuitive, leaving Canada can improve the CRS score for some Express Entry applicants—especially if remaining leads to ongoing age penalties and little chance of further increasing core or transferable skill points. This approach is best considered as part of a personalized assessment, weighing the possible gain in points against other life, career, and immigration factors.
Conclusion
Leaving Canada can be a strategic decision for certain Express Entry candidates, particularly those facing age penalties or limited opportunities to gain additional points through Canadian work experience or education. By resetting their CRS profile, candidates can potentially increase their scores through foreign work experience, improved language skills, or eligibility for Provincial Nominee Programs. However, this strategy requires careful consideration of personal, professional, and immigration goals. Consulting with immigration experts and conducting a detailed assessment of individual circumstances is essential to determine if leaving Canada aligns with long-term objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is leaving Canada always a good strategy to improve my CRS score?
Not always. Leaving Canada is beneficial only for candidates who face significant age penalties or limited opportunities to gain more points through Canadian experience or education. Candidates with high CRS scores or those already eligible for Provincial Nominee Programs may not benefit from leaving.
2. How does foreign work experience help improve my CRS score?
Foreign work experience in a skilled occupation can enhance your “Skill Transferability” points under the CRS system. Combining foreign experience with Canadian experience can lead to higher CRS scores, potentially offsetting age-related point losses.
3. Can improving my language test scores while abroad boost my CRS score?
Yes. Achieving higher language test scores (e.g., IELTS or TEF) while abroad can significantly improve your CRS score. Language proficiency is a key factor in the CRS system, and better results can increase your overall ranking.
4. Am I still eligible for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) if I leave Canada?
Yes, in some cases. Certain PNPs are designed for candidates outside Canada, and leaving may reset your eligibility. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, greatly increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
5. How do I decide if leaving Canada is the right move for me?
Assess your individual circumstances, including your current CRS score, age, work experience, education, and language proficiency. Consider consulting with immigration experts to evaluate whether leaving Canada aligns with your immigration and career goals.
