Why Leaving Canada Could Boost Your CRS Score for Express Entry

For aspiring Canadian permanent residents, getting to know the complexities of the Express Entry system and the path to an Invitation to Apply (ITA) can seem daunting. With increasingly competitive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores, many individuals seek innovative strategies to enhance their profiles. One such strategy might involve leaving Canada.

This guide looks at why returning to your home country or seeking international work experience could significantly boost your CRS score and ultimately improve your chances of securing Canadian permanent residency.

The CRS System From Abroad

The CRS system ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool based on:

• Age,
• Education,
• Language proficiency, and
• Work experience.

One key component of the CRS is the Skill Transferability Factors, which award up to 100 additional points based on a combination of education, language proficiency, Canadian work experience, and foreign work experience.

For candidates who have not yet maxed out their foreign work experience skill transferability factor, gaining foreign work experience could provide up to 50 additional CRS points. This could be the difference between receiving an ITA or remaining in the Express Entry pool.

The Point Allocation for Work Experience

To illustrate this point, consider your hypothetical candidacy as an Express Entry applicant for Canadian permanent residency as follows.

Your Initial CRS Score in Canada

If you came to Canada to complete a bachelor’s degree in business specializing in marketing, he obtained a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), allowing you to work in Canada for three years. You then worked for two years in a skilled marketing position, gaining valuable Canadian work experience. Considering this scenario, your initial CRS score can be calculated as outlined in the table below.

Factors	Qualifications	Points
Age	25	110
Level of education	Bachelor’s degree	120
Official languages	CLB 9	124
Canadian work experience	2 years	53
Skill Transferability: Education + Language	CLB 9 + Bachelor’s degree	25
Skill Transferability: Education + Canadian work experience	2 years of Canadian work experience + bachelor’s degree	25
Skill Transferability: Foreign Work Experience	No international work experience	0
Study in Canada	-	30
Total CRS Score		487

At this stage, your CRS score is 487, below the typical cut-off score 500+ in recent Express Entry draws. Without additional points, you may not receive an ITA.

Deciding to Leave Canada and Gain Foreign Work Experience

Since your PGWP expires, you decided to move to a foreign country to gain work experience by working as a skilled marketer for two years. Now, your CRS score changes and can be calculated as follows.

Factors	Qualifications	Points
Age	27	110
Level of education	Bachelor’s degree	120
Official languages	CLB 9	124
Canadian work experience	2 years	53
Skill Transferability: Education + Language	CLB 9 + Bachelor’s degree	25
Skill Transferability: Education + Canadian work experience	2 years of Canadian work experience + bachelor’s degree	25
Skill Transferability: Foreign Work Experience	CLB 9 + 2 years of foreign experience = 25 points	0
Study in Canada	-	30
Total CRS Score		537

Your CRS score has now increased to 537, making him highly competitive in the Express Entry pool. This increase is due to the additional 50 points for foreign work experience combined with his existing Canadian experience and strong language skills.

Why Foreign Work Experience Matters

The CRS awards up to 50 additional points under the Skill Transferability Factors for foreign work experience. These points are gained as follows.

Foreign Work Experience – With Good Official Language Proficiency

Gaining foreign work experience, especially with strong language skills, can significantly boost your CRS score. This is outlined in the table below.

Foreign Work Experience - With Good Official Language Proficiency (CLB 7 or Higher)
Years of Experience	CLB 7 or More (One Ability Under 9)	CLB 9 or More on All Abilities
No foreign work experience	0	0
1-2 years of foreign work experience	13	25
3+ years of foreign work experience	25	50

Foreign Work Experience – With Canadian Work Experience

Combining foreign work experience with established Canadian work experience offers a strategic pathway to maximizing your CRS score. Here is a closer look.

Foreign Work Experience - With Canadian Work Experience
Years of Experience	1 Year of Canadian Work Experience	2+ Years of Canadian Work Experience
No foreign work experience	0	0
1-2 years of foreign work experience	13	25
3+ years of foreign work experience	25	50

Additional Ways to Improve CRS Score While Abroad

Candidates can maximize these points by combining foreign experience with a CLB 9+ language score or Canadian work experience.

Improving Your Language Proficiency

Improving English or French proficiency can yield up to 160 points for a single applicant, a substantial portion of the overall score. Retaking language tests to achieve higher CLB scores can significantly increase these points, demonstrating a candidate's commitment to linguistic integration. Learning French adds up to 50 points under the "additional points" category and opens doors to specialized French-speaking immigration pathways.

Obtaining a Higher Level of Education

Pursuing advanced education abroad is another effective strategy. Obtaining a higher degree, such as a Master's or Doctorate, can earn up to 150 points, depending on the level of education achieved. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required to ensure the foreign degree is recognized, verifying its equivalence to a Canadian credential.

Applying for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Securing a provincial nomination significantly boosts a CRS score. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) have enhanced streams aligned with Express Entry, awarding 600 additional CRS points upon nomination. This substantial increase virtually guarantees an ITA in subsequent Express Entry draws, making it a highly desirable option for many candidates.

Exploring Spousal or Partner Factors

Considering spousal factors can also impact the CRS score. Marrying or entering a common-law partnership abroad necessitates updating the Express Entry profile, which can either increase or decrease the score depending on the partner's qualifications. The spouse or partner could apply as the primary applicant, potentially leading to a higher combined score and improving the overall chances of receiving an ITA.

FAQs

What Are the Risks of Leaving Canada to Improve My CRS Score?

Leaving Canada to enhance your CRS score risks disrupting established networks and potentially encountering challenges in re-establishing yourself upon return. There's also the uncertainty of whether your improved score will align with future Express Entry draw cut-offs, which can fluctuate. You'll need to manage your finances and logistics carefully while abroad, ensuring you maintain eligibility for Canadian immigration programs.

How Long Should I Stay Outside Canada to See a CRS Improvement?

The duration required to see a CRS improvement depends on your specific strategy, particularly regarding foreign work experience. To gain the maximum 50 points, you generally need at least three years of skilled foreign work experience combined with high language proficiency or Canadian work experience. If improving language skills or pursuing further education, the timeline will be determined by the time required to achieve those goals.

Will I Lose my Status in Canada if I Leave?

Your status in Canada depends on the type of visa or permit you hold. If you leave after your permit expires, you cannot return with that permit. However, leaving temporarily does not automatically cancel a valid permit, but extended absences can raise questions upon re-entry. It's vital to understand the terms of your specific status and ensure you comply with any residency requirements.