Yes, it is possible to get Canada permanent residence (PR) with 300 points under the Express Entry system. Express Entry is the main program used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programs – Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
What is Express Entry?
The Express Entry system was introduced by the Canadian government in 2015 to facilitate faster processing times for permanent residence applications. Under Express Entry, candidates create an online profile where they provide information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other details. Those who meet the minimum criteria of one of the three immigration programs under Express Entry are accepted into a pool of candidates and are ranked based on a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The CRS ranks candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, language skills, etc. Candidates with the highest scores in the pool are issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence during regular draws from the pool. An ITA allows a candidate to submit a complete application for Canadian permanent residence.
How does the Comprehensive Ranking System work?
The CRS ranks candidates out of a maximum of 1200 points based on the following factors:
| Factor | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Core human capital factors | 500 points |
| Spouse factors | 40 points |
| Skill transferability factors | 100 points |
| Additional points | 600 points |
| Total | 1200 points |
The core human capital factors take into account age, level of education, official language proficiency, and Canadian work experience. Points are awarded based on the applicant’s credentials in each of these factors.
Spouse factors account for the skills and qualifications of an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. If the spouse has strong English and/or French skills or Canadian education or work experience, additional points can be earned.
The skill transferability factors include points for a combination of the applicant’s education level and official language proficiency, as well as additional points for having a spouse with good official language proficiency.
Finally, the additional points section allows applicants to gain extra points for factors like a qualifying offer of arranged employment, previous study in Canada, having a relative in Canada, and significant Canadian work experience.
What is the minimum CRS score for Canada PR?
The minimum CRS score needed to qualify for Canada PR varies with each draw from the Express Entry pool. While a score of 300 CRS points is technically eligible, in reality an applicant will need a much higher score to have a chance of being invited to apply.
Over the past year, the minimum CRS score has fluctuated between 432-826 points during Express Entry draws. The current trend shows draws requiring CRS scores around 550 points and higher.
The actual minimum score depends on competition and the number of candidates in the pool. When the pool has more high-ranking candidates, the minimum score tends to rise. The score requirement will be lower when there are fewer candidates with high CRS scores in the pool.
Why is a score of 300 CRS points not enough?
A score of 300 points is generally considered to be on the lower end of the Comprehensive Ranking System. While IRCC does not publish an official minimum score threshold, a score of 300 would be well below the range for most Express Entry draws over the past few years.
Some reasons why 300 points is currently not competitive enough include:
- Majority of candidates in the Express Entry pool score above 400+ points
- Strong competition from high caliber applicants in the pool
- Rising CRS score cut-offs reaching up to 800 points in some cases
- High scores on language ability and skilled work experience required
- Additional points awarded to applicants with a job offer or Canadian education/experience
Due to the high quality of candidates in the pool, most draws over the past year have had minimum scores around 500 points or higher. With a score of just 300 points, it is very unlikely for an applicant to ever be invited to apply.
What can I do to increase my score above 300 points?
Here are some tips to improve your CRS score above 300 points:
- Improve language scores – Maximize your points for English and/or French skills by taking language tests like IELTS or TEF to achieve higher proficiency.
- Get a master’s degree or Ph.D – Education is a major factor, maximizing your education points to the Master’s or Ph.D level can help.
- Gain more skilled work experience – Having more years of experience in your skilled occupation can help improve core CRS points.
- Get a valid job offer – Having a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer can give you 200 extra CRS points.
- Study or work in Canada – Canadian education, work experience or previous study can result in additional CRS points.
Focusing on improving your language, education, work experience and getting a job offer are some of the main ways applicants can boost their rankings and get above the 300 point threshold.
How can I get maximum CRS points?
Here are some tips to maximize your overall CRS score:
- Get perfect language scores (IELTS 8+ or TEF C1+)
- Complete a Master’s, Ph.D or other higher education credential
- Have 5+ years of skilled foreign work experience
- Find a Canadian employer willing to make a permanent job offer
- Get a degree, diploma, or work/study permit and gain Canadian skilled work experience
- Bring a spouse with strong English and/or French skills and credentials
Optimizing your education, work background, language ability, job offer and Canadian qualifications/experience can help maximize overall CRS points.
What occupations tend to have the highest Express Entry scores?
Below are some of the occupations that tend to achieve high Express Entry scores:
- Information Technology and Engineering Professionals
- Software developers, programmers, systems analysts
- Skilled trades like welders, plumbers, electricians
- Financial and business professionals
- Doctors, nurses and other health professionals
- University professors and lecturers
Applicants in these occupations often have advanced degrees, specialized skills, high language ability and in-demand work experience that helps maximize their CRS scores. IT, engineering, healthcare and professional occupations regularly see applicants with scores above 400+ points.
What is the Express Entry tie-breaking rule?
In draws where multiple candidates have the same CRS score, IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule to decide which candidates will receive an ITA for permanent residence. The tie-break rule works as follows:
- Candidates with the earliest Express Entry profile submission date are ranked higher
- If a tie still exists, candidates with the highest human capital factors total will be ranked higher
- Any remaining tied candidates will be ranked based on skills transferability factors
- If a tie persists after this, invites will be issued based on the best additional factors score
By ranking candidates based on Express Entry profile submission date first, IRCC rewards those who entered the pool earlier and had to wait longer in the queue for an ITA invite.
Do I need a job offer to get Canada PR?
No, a job offer is not mandatory to apply for Canada PR under Express Entry. However, having a valid permanent job offer from a Canadian employer can help significantly strengthen an Express Entry application and improve chances of being invited to apply.
A qualifying job offer supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is worth 200 additional CRS points. It essentially guarantees a high enough score to be invited in the next Express Entry draw.
Candidates with a valid job offer don’t have to exclusively rely on their age, education, experience and language ability to maximize points. The 600 points available in the additional factors section makes it much easier to achieve a very high overall CRS score.
How can I find a job offer from a Canadian employer?
Here are some tips to help secure a job offer that qualifies for Express Entry:
- Actively contact employers and recruiters in your occupation
- Leverage your network of friends, family or professional contacts in Canada
- Promote yourself on LinkedIn and job sites highlighting your skills and experience
- Look for opportunities with employers willing to support permanent residence
- Consider a working holiday or co-op work permit to gain Canadian work experience first
Having a strong professional profile and proactively reaching out to employers are key strategies to lock down a qualifying permanent job offer in Canada.
What is the Express Entry provincial nominee program (PNP)?
The Express Entry provincial nominee program is an option for candidates in the Express Entry pool to gain an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. Eleven provinces and territories in Canada have PNPs that allow them to nominate applicants who meet specific eligibility criteria tailored to the province.
A provincial nomination obtained through a PNP essentially guarantees an invite to apply for PR in a subsequent Express Entry draw. However, PNPs do require candidates to have a verified connection to the nominating province, such as previous study or work experience there.
Each PNP has its own criteria based on skills, experience, language proficiency, and ties to the province. The Ontario PNP and BC PNP are two of the more popular programs with Express Entry candidates.
How do I get a provincial nomination?
Here are some key steps to obtain a provincial nomination:
- Research individual PNP streams and assess which provinces you are eligible for
- Make sure you meet or exceed the required skills, education, work experience set by the PNP
- Build connections in your target province through visits, study or work/volunteer stints
- Create an Express Entry profile and indicate your interest in that province
- Apply to the PNP stream and provide documents verifying your eligibility
Gaining a provincial nomination involves more paperwork and processing times, but provides that vital 600 point boost that facilitates faster overall PR approval.
What are some alternative pathways to get Canada PR?
Aside from Express Entry, here are some other options that can lead to permanent residence in Canada:
- Business Immigration – For entrepreneurs and investors willing to invest capital/buy a business and actively manage it in Canada.
- Start-up Visa Program – For innovative entrepreneurs supported by a designated organization.
- Self-Employed Persons Program – For candidates with relevant self-employment experience interested in immigrating to Quebec.
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program – For candidates with a job offer in the Atlantic provinces and intermediate level skills.
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot – For applicants with skills and experience to help rural Canadian communities.
- Agri-Food Immigration Pilot – For qualified applicants connected to Canada’s agri-food sector.
While Express Entry is the main federal economic program, these regional and niche programs create alternative pathways for qualified applicants to gain permanent residence.
Conclusion
In summary, achieving Canada PR solely with a 300 CRS point score is highly difficult under the current competitive Express Entry system. While technically eligible, scores below 400 points are now seen as relatively low compared to averages over the past few years.
Applicants with only 300 points would likely need to wait years in the Express Entry pool before a chance at being invited. The focus for applicants should be maximizing their age, education, work experience, language skills and pursuing additional qualifying factors like a job offer, PNP nomination or Canadian credential.
Raising an Express Entry score above 400 or ideally 450+ points is critical to receive an ITA in a reasonable timeframe. With the competitive nature of Express Entry draws, a high CRS score improves the probability of landing a coveted invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
