Updated on September 11, 2024 by canadian immigration experts
CRS Score for Express Entry
If you’re applying for Canadian immigration through the Express Entry System, it’s essential to know that your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score matters a lot, no matter which program you pick within Express Entry. We know this system can be complex, but don’t worry. In this article, we’ll help you navigate it successfully.
Your Nation Occupation Classification 2021 (NOC 2021) code will not impact your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for professional work experience unless you or the applicant already have a job offer in Canada upon arrival.
NOCs aren’t just there to classify your work experience; they are crucial for Express Entry and extremely important for applicants within category-based Express Entry draws and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
What are CRS Scores?
The Canadian government uses CRS scores to rank candidates who have applied to one of the three Express Entry programs:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Applicants participating in any of the listed programs become eligible for the Express Entry draw. Their score in the draw serves as a pivotal measure of their skills and capabilities.
CRS scores decide which candidates are eligible in the Express Entry Draw. With a high enough score, the candidate will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the IRCC, which will lead to receiving a permanent residency. All of this happens if you exceed the cut-off score for your specific draw. Make sure you know what your minimum score has to be.
What are NOC Codes?
The Canadian government uses the NOC System to categorize, describe, distinguish, differentiate and outline jobs according to the tasks that will need to complete. It takes Educational experience and other factors into account as well.
The NOC system assigns a specific number to each occupation for simplified grouping. This numeric code, also known as the job’s NOC code, consists of five digits.
NOC Codes & Standard Express Entry Draws:
Your job category (NOC) can give you more points. It can make you that you’ll get an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
In the CRS additional points category (Category D), the Canadian government states that Express Entry candidates under arranged employment can receive either 50 or 200 additional CRS points.
In Category D, Express Entry candidates benefit from a job offer in Major Group 00 of the NOC 2021, receiving an additional 200 points added to their CRS score. For candidates with a job offer in NOC sections 0, 1, 2, or 3, an extra 50 points contribute to their CRS score.
The extra CRS points, based on the applicant’s NOC, can be a big help in doing well and successfully moving to Canada through the standard Express Entry process.
For reference, the NOC’s Major Group 00 is a group that sections “Senior Management.” Senior Management jobs can be defined in various occupations. These may include, but are not limited to, senior managers in multiple industries such as finance, communications, health, broadcasting, construction, and transportation. Additionally, this category encompasses legislators, senior government managers, and officials.
NOC Codes & Category-Based Express Entry Draws:
Category-based draws are good for people with recent work experience in fields where there’s a high demand for jobs. Canada gives preference to candidates with valuable skills as it aims to fill job market gaps where Canadians may lack the needed experience.
For 2023, Canada has selected five occupational categories to emphasize in Category-Based Express Entry. These include a focus on healthcare, technology, engineering, science, mathematics (STEM-based), transportation, trades, and agriculture/agri-food.
NOC codes matter in category-based draws because each job in the five high-demand has its own code. If your work experience aligns with one of these jobs, you can participate in the category-based draws. This applies even if you are already part of the regular Express Entry pool. This increases your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for immigration.
Here is a list of occupations in each of the Express Entry categories for 2023:
Healthcare: Massage Therapists (NOC: 32201)
STEM: Engineering Managers (NOC: 20010)
Transport: Transport Truck Drivers (NOC: 73300)
Trades: Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers (NOC: 73200)
Agriculture and Agri-Food: Butchers – Retail and Wholesale (NOC: 63201)
NOC Codes & the PNP’s:
In provincial nominee programs, your NOC is quite important. The PNP aims to fill job market gaps in specific provinces. If your skills align with a particular NOC code, your experience becomes valuable for the province to meet its labor market needs.
If you have any questions about NOCs or wish to boost your CRS Score, Jane Katkova & Associates can support you through the Express Entry system. With over 20 years of immigration experience, our team is here to assist you. We’ll walk you through the application process, ensuring it’s thorough and improving your chances of being accepted.
