How to Get Double the CRS Points for Work Experience
In Canada’s competitive Express Entry system, every Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) point counts. For many applicants, work experience plays a vital role in boosting their overall score. In 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced updates and clarifications that allow candidates to potentially double their CRS points under certain conditions related to their Canadian work experience.
Let’s break down how work experience points work, and how you can make the most of them to improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Understanding CRS Points for Work Experience
The CRS evaluates candidates based on factors like age, education, language ability, and work experience. When it comes to work experience, there are two main categories:
- Foreign Work Experience
- Canadian Work Experience
Canadian work experience holds more weight than foreign experience. In fact, one year of skilled work in Canada can yield more CRS points than multiple years of foreign experience. When combined with other factors like education and language proficiency, the CRS gives candidates bonus points for their adaptability and integration potential.
How to Double Your CRS Points
Here are key strategies that can help you maximize, or even double, your CRS score through work experience:
1. Gain Canadian Work Experience
The most effective way to double your work experience CRS points is to gain at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, categorized under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- CRS Points for Canadian Work Experience (with spouse):
- 1 year: 35 points
- 2 years: 46 points
- 3 years: 56 points
- 4 years: 63 points
- 5+ years: 70 points
- CRS Points for Canadian Work Experience (without spouse):
- 1 year: 40 points
- 2 years: 53 points
- 3 years: 64 points
- 4 years: 72 points
- 5+ years: 80 points
Compare this to the maximum 50 points that can be awarded for foreign work experience when combined with language proficiency or Canadian education. The difference is substantial.
2. Use a Valid Job Offer to Maximize Points
A valid job offer from a Canadian employer backed by an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), or exempt under specific agreements, can give you an additional 50 or 200 CRS points, depending on the role. While this isn’t technically “doubling” your work experience points, it significantly boosts your profile.
3. Combine Canadian Work Experience with Language Ability
If you have Canadian work experience + high language proficiency (CLB 9 or above), you can get additional CRS points through the skills transferability factors. This combination can help you unlock the full 100-point potential under this category, nearly doubling what you’d receive from work experience alone.
4. Apply Through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Many PNPs prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience. If you’re nominated, you get 600 additional CRS points – which instantly secures your place for an Express Entry ITA. This essentially multiplies the value of your work experience by leveraging regional labor needs.
5. Consider a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
If you’re an international student in Canada, staying back and gaining one year of work experience through a PGWP is a great way to unlock CRS points. This Canadian experience makes you eligible for multiple PR streams and often earns higher points than similar experience in your home country.
Final Tips to Maximize Your CRS Score
- Ensure your job is classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Keep detailed documentation to prove your work experience.
- Combine work experience with other high-scoring factors like education, language proficiency, and job offers.
- Stay informed about category-based Express Entry draws that may favor your occupation or experience.
Closing from Emigrantz
At Emigrantz, we specialize in helping you unlock every possible advantage in your immigration journey. Whether you’re just starting your career in Canada or looking to enhance your CRS score through strategic planning, our expert consultants are here to guide you every step of the way.
Let’s work together to maximize your profile and turn your Canadian dream into reality.