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How to Get Canadian Permanent Residency with a Low CRS Score

Getting permanent residency in Canada is a dream for many, but if your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is lower than expected, it can feel like an uphill battle. Don’t worry—there are still ways to succeed. Canada’s immigration system is designed to be inclusive, with various pathways available to accommodate diverse applicants. This guide will provide clear, actionable strategies for securing Canadian PR, even if your CRS score is less than ideal.

Submit the Assessment Form to Discover your Eligibility

What is the CRS Score, and Why Does it Matter?

The CRS score is a critical factor in the Express Entry system, ranking candidates based on age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors. While a higher CRS score increases your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), a low score doesn’t mean the end of your Canadian journey. There are plenty of alternative routes to explore, many of which don’t rely solely on CRS scores.

Pathways to Canadian PR with a Low CRS Score

1. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Provincial Nominee Programs are excellent for candidates with low CRS scores. Provinces have specific needs, and they often select candidates who meet their labor market requirements.

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP): This program has selected candidates with CRS scores as low as 300. Visit the Government of Alberta for details.
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): Known for its flexible requirements, SINP evaluates applicants through its Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Learn more at the Government of Saskatchewan.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): Ontario targets specific occupations through streams like the Human Capital Priorities Stream. Visit the Government of Ontario.

Case Study: “X”, a software engineer with a CRS score of 320, leveraged the OINP’s Tech Draw to receive a provincial nomination. With the additional 600 points, “X” successfully received her ITA and is now a permanent resident in Toronto.

2. Family Sponsorship Programs

If you have family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, you may be eligible for sponsorship. This route is particularly advantageous as it bypasses the CRS scoring system entirely. Close relatives can sponsor spouses, common-law partners, children, parents, and grandparents.

3. Securing a Job Offer

A valid job offer can significantly boost your CRS score. Depending on the role, you can earn up to 200 additional points. Employers in Canada often provide Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) to support candidates. An experienced immigration consultant in Canada, like Sayal Immigration, can assist in finding job opportunities and managing the LMIA process.

4. Language Test Improvements

Language proficiency plays a huge role in CRS calculations. Small improvements in your IELTS or CELPIP scores can make a big difference. For instance:

Upgrading your score from CLB 7 to CLB 9 could add 100 points to your profile.
Achieving French language proficiency can bring an additional 50 points.

Prepare thoroughly for these exams to maximize your scores.

5. Explore Pilot Programs

Canada’s pilot programs cater to specific industries and regions. These programs often have unique requirements and lower competition compared to mainstream options:

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): Targets smaller communities in Canada.
Agri-Food Pilot: Focuses on attracting agricultural workers.

For detailed eligibility criteria, visit the IRCC website.

6. Gain Canadian Experience or Education

Having Canadian work experience or education significantly increases your CRS score. Programs like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allow international students to gain valuable experience in Canada, which can later boost their Express Entry profiles.

7. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The AIP focuses on attracting skilled workers to Canada’s Atlantic provinces. Unlike Express Entry, this program emphasizes job offers and community engagement over CRS scores. For more, visit the AIP page on IRCC.

Success Stories: Real Cases of Low CRS to PR

Take Mr. “X” story as inspiration. Despite having a CRS score of 330, he pursued the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program with the guidance of Sayal Immigration, a trusted immigration consultant in Toronto. After receiving a provincial nomination, X’s CRS jumped by 600 points, leading to a successful ITA. Today, he lives in Regina, working in a fulfilling marketing role.

Immediate Steps to Boost Your Chances

Evaluate Your Profile: Use tools like the CRS Calculator or consult with an expert.
Enhance Your Application: Focus on improving language scores, obtaining job offers, or gaining Canadian experience.
Consult Experts: Navigating immigration pathways is easier with professional help. An experienced immigration consultant in Brampton, such as Sayal Immigration, can provide personalized strategies for success.

Why Choose Sayal Immigration?

At Sayal Immigration, we specialize in helping applicants overcome hurdles like low CRS scores. Recognized as a top immigration consultant in Canada, our team crafts tailored strategies to help you achieve permanent residency. Whether you’re seeking an immigration consultant in Toronto or an immigration consultant in Brampton, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Book an Appointment with Sahil for any Immigration related Queries

Conclusion: Your Canadian Dream is Within Reach

A low CRS score doesn’t have to end your Canadian immigration journey. With alternative pathways, strategic improvements, and expert guidance, you can achieve your goal of becoming a permanent resident. Trust Sayal Immigration to navigate these opportunities with you—book a consultation today and take the first step toward your Canadian dream.

Attention to all Canadian permanent residence applicants! Effective immediately, submitting biometrics is mandatory to complete your application. Biometrics refer to your fingerprints and facial recognition that will be used to verify your identity. This will help prevent fraud and identity theft, as well as ensure the safety and security of Canada’s borders.

Don’t forget to book your appointment at a designated biometric collection service location before submitting your application. For more information, visit the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Stay compliant and good luck with your application!

Submit the Assessment Form to Discover your Eligibility

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made significant changes to its policy regarding the collection of biometrics for permanent resident applicants. Effective June 14, all individuals applying for permanent residence must submit their biometrics, irrespective of whether they have previously submitted them for a temporary residence permit.

This revision represents a shift back to pre-pandemic procedures for permanent resident applications. During the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC introduced a policy in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) that exempted PR applicants from submitting biometrics if they had already provided them with a temporary resident application within the preceding decade. However, with this new update to the published policy, this exemption will no longer be applicable.

The purpose of collecting biometrics is to establish an individual’s identity and verify their admissibility to Canada. Biometrics refer to unique physical characteristics such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans. By implementing this policy, IRCC seeks to uphold the safety and security of Canadians while ensuring that the immigration process remains fair and just.

Overall, this revision ensures that all permanent resident applicants undergo the same screening process. It eliminates any loopholes in the previous policy that may have allowed some individuals to bypass biometric screening.

PR Regular process resuming post-pandemic

In a proactive response to pandemic-related challenges in September 2020, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a measure allowing PR applicants to use previously-submitted biometrics within a decade. This enabled applicants to progress in spite of temporary closures of Visa Application Centres (VACs). The IRCC recognized the importance of providing a pathway for newcomers already living in Canada.

With pandemic restrictions easing and reduced backlog, IRCC has since moved back to its pre-pandemic service standards. The department is now working at full capacity and able to process applications quickly. By resuming its regular process requiring all PR applicants to provide their biometrics, IRCC aims to enhance the consistency and effectiveness of the screening process.

An IRCC official clarified that this policy change applies only to PR applicants, not those seeking temporary resident status such as work, visitor or study visas. Additionally, temporary residents applying for an extension are exempt from resubmitting their biometrics. Overall, this change is a positive step towards ensuring a fair and consistent immigration process in Canada.

Biometric requirement for Permanent Residence applicants

IRCC, the Canadian immigration agency, requires applicants to provide their fingerprints and a photograph of their face as part of their initial application for any type of permit to live, work or visit Canada. The current fee to submit biometrics is $85 CAD. These biometric details are used to help keep Canadians safe and protect the integrity of the immigration system.

While mandatory for most immigration applications, there are some exemptions. Nationals from over 60 countries who do not require a visa to visit Canada are exempt from providing biometrics. However, all nationalities, including US citizens, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before visiting Canada.

It is important to note that some applicants are exempt from providing biometric data when traveling to Canada. These include:

Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), or existing permanent residents
Children under the age of 14
Applicants over the age of 79 (there is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants)
Heads of state and heads of government
Cabinet ministers and accredited diplomats of other countries and the United Nations, coming to Canada on official business
U.S. visa holders transiting through Canada
Refugee claimants or protected persons who have already provided biometrics and are applying for a study or work permit
Temporary resident applicants who have already provided biometrics in support of a permanent resident application that is still in progress

These exemptions are in place to make the process more convenient for certain applicants while still maintaining the security and integrity of the Canadian immigration system.