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How Leaving Canada Can Boost Your CRS Score and Improve Express Entry Chances

If you’ve been stuck in the Express Entry pool, watching others get Invitations to Apply (ITAs) while your CRS score remains just short of the cutoff, you’re not alone. Many skilled workers in Canada face the same problem—doing everything “right” but still falling behind.

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But what if the answer isn’t in Canada? What if, instead of waiting, you could take action by gaining experience elsewhere and actually improve your CRS score? An Immigration Consultant in Canada can help assess if this strategy is right for you.

Why Canadian Work Experience Alone Might Not Be Enough

A lot of people assume that the more Canadian work experience they have, the better their CRS score. While that’s true to an extent, there’s a limit. Once you hit a certain threshold, additional experience won’t give you a big boost. Take Rahul, an IT professional from India. After completing his studies in Canada, he landed a skilled job and worked for two years. Even with good language scores and solid work experience, his CRS score was stuck at 487—just shy of recent cutoffs. Frustrated, he considered his options. Then he found out that by working outside Canada for two more years, he could add up to 50 extra CRS points. That was the game-changer. With the help of an Immigration Consultant in Mississauga, he planned his next move.

How Foreign Work Experience Can Give You an Edge

According to the Government of Canada’s CRS criteria, combining foreign work experience with Canadian work or strong language skills can add up to 50 CRS points. Here’s how it works:

1. Foreign Work Experience + Canadian Work Experience: If you already have at least a year of work experience in Canada, adding foreign work experience can give you a significant boost.
2. Foreign Work Experience + High Language Proficiency: If you have CLB 7 or higher in English or French, foreign experience adds even more value.

Rahul’s Journey: How He Boosted His CRS Score

Rahul returned to India and took a remote IT job with an international company while staying connected to the Canadian job market. After two years, he updated his Express Entry profile with:

• Two years of foreign work experience
• CLB 9 in IELTS
• His existing two years of Canadian experience

The result? His CRS score jumped from 487 to 537, well above the recent cutoff. Shortly after, he got his ITA and secured Canadian PR. Working with an Immigration Consultant in Toronto helped him strategize efficiently.

Other Ways to Boost Your CRS While Working Abroad

If you’re considering this approach, don’t stop at just gaining work experience. Here are other smart moves to maximize your CRS score while outside Canada:

1. Improve Your Language Score

Language proficiency is one of the highest-scoring CRS factors. A better IELTS or TEF score can add up to 160 points. Websites like IELTS.org offer free resources to help you prepare.

2. Get a Higher Educational Credential

Earning another diploma, degree, or certification could give you up to 150 CRS points. Even online courses from accredited institutions count. Visit WES Canada to ensure your credentials are properly evaluated.

3. Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

If your occupation is in demand, you might qualify for a PNP, which instantly adds 600 points to your CRS. Check out IRCC’s PNP page for details.

4. Optimize Your Spouse’s Profile

If your spouse has strong credentials, consider making them the principal applicant. Alternatively, improving their education and language scores could add extra CRS points.

Keep Your Express Entry Profile Updated

Some people think they can only update their Express Entry profile once. That’s a mistake. You should update it whenever you gain experience, improve your language score, or complete a new credential. Staying on top of these updates ensures you get the maximum CRS points possible. An Immigration Consultant in Brampton can help you optimize your profile.

Is This Strategy Right for You?

This approach isn’t for everyone. If you’re close to getting a provincial nomination or have a job offer that might lead to PR, staying in Canada might be a better option. But if you’re stuck with a lower CRS score and no immediate pathways to PR, working abroad could be the solution you need.

Book an Appointment with Sahil for any Immigration related Queries

At Sayal Immigration, we specialize in helping skilled workers navigate Express Entry with tailored strategies. Whether you need help evaluating your CRS score, exploring overseas job opportunities, or finding the best PR pathway, we’re here to guide you. Want to see how much your CRS score can improve? Contact us today for a personalized assessment!