Candidates in Canada’s Express Entry system know how vital Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points are to securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. If you’ve lost points due to the expiration or ineligibility of your arranged employment offer, don’t panic — there are alternative ways to boost your CRS score, and one of the most effective is by improving your performance in language tests.
Why Arranged Employment Matters
An eligible job offer from a Canadian employer can add 50 or 200 points to your CRS score, depending on the job’s skill level and type. These points often provide a major advantage to candidates, helping them meet or exceed draw thresholds.
However, not all job offers qualify. To count for CRS points:
- The offer must be for a full-time, non-seasonal job.
- It must be supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), unless exempt.
- The job offer must be valid at the time of applying.
If your job offer no longer meets the criteria, or if your LMIA has expired, you can lose those valuable CRS points, putting your Express Entry profile at a disadvantage.
The Solution: Maximize Language Test Scores
Language proficiency is one of the few areas where candidates can significantly boost their CRS scores, often in a short time. Both English and French language results carry considerable weight, especially for those aiming to make up for lost employment-related points.
Here’s how language test results impact CRS:
For the principal applicant:
- Up to 136 points can be earned for language proficiency in English or French.
- Up to 50 additional points can be gained through combinations with education or work experience (known as “skill transferability factors”).
- An extra 50 points can be earned for strong French-language skills (even if English is your primary language).
Tips to Improve Language Scores
- Retake the Test Strategically: Focus on areas with the highest scoring potential—especially the “speaking” and “writing” sections, where many candidates struggle.
- Prepare With Official Practice Material: Use study guides and sample questions provided by testing organizations such as IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF Canada.
- Consider a Language Course: Professional coaching can make a major difference in your performance and confidence.
- Target CLB 9 or Higher: Achieving Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 9 opens up additional points through the skill transferability section of the CRS.
French Language as a Bonus Path
Even if you’re not a native French speaker, improving your French proficiency can pay off. Canada’s Express Entry system currently rewards bilingual applicants with additional points — and this strategy is increasingly popular among international candidates.
In particular, Express Entry draws under the “French-language proficiency” category provide a unique pathway for candidates who might not meet general cutoffs under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class.
Other Ways to Regain CRS Points
Besides improving language scores, consider these options to strengthen your Express Entry profile:
- Education Credential Assessments (ECAs): Get your education re-evaluated if you’ve completed new academic programs since submitting your profile.
- Canadian Work Experience: Gain or update your in-Canada work history to secure more CRS points.
- Spouse or Common-law Partner Factors: If you’re applying with a partner, ensure their language skills, education, and work experience are also included.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Receiving a provincial nomination adds a massive 600 points to your CRS score — virtually guaranteeing an ITA.
Don’t Delay – Update Your Profile
Once you’ve improved your language scores, retake the test and update your Express Entry profile as soon as possible. Make sure the test results are still valid (language tests are typically valid for two years). Recalculate your CRS score and monitor future draws to see where you stand.
Final Thoughts
Losing CRS points due to arranged employment issues can be discouraging, but it’s far from the end of the road. With strategic preparation and determination, you can make up the difference—and possibly even exceed your previous score—by focusing on language testing.
Whether you choose to improve your English, strengthen your French, or do both, language proficiency remains one of the most powerful tools in your Express Entry toolkit. Use it wisely, and you’ll significantly increase your chances of receiving an invitation to make Canada your permanent home.
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