According to Maple News, candidates applying for Canadian permanent residence via the Express Entry system may significantly improve their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores by leveraging foreign work experience — particularly when combined with strong language skills and Canadian work experience.
Foreign work experience is evaluated under the CRS’s skill transferability section, a critical component when striving for a competitive profile. This section can award up to 100 points altogether: 50 points for combinations involving education and language proficiency or Canadian work experience, with another 50 points available for combinations that include foreign work experience.
When paired with strong English or French language skills (especially Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] 9 or above), foreign work experience can yield impressive point increases. For example, three or more years of foreign work combined with high language proficiency can earn up to the full 50 points allowed in this category. This is equal to the score given to candidates with extensive Canadian work experience backed by strong language ability.
Foreign work experience paired with even one year of Canadian employment and sufficient language skills can create powerful synergies that significantly raise a candidate’s CRS score. For instance, having one to two years of foreign experience and a CLB 9 language score can earn 25 points. Add Canadian work experience to the mix, and you may reach the 50-point cap.
In contrast, Canadian work experience alone contributes under the “core human capital” factors, allowing candidates without a spouse or common-law partner to receive up to 80 points. While valuable, gaining additional Canadian work experience alone may not be as impactful—point-for-point—as combining existing foreign work experience with language proficiency.
This dynamic is particularly important in the current Express Entry landscape, where cut-off scores for Invitations to Apply (ITA) remain high due to the competitive pool. By strategically leveraging previous international employment, especially for newcomers already working in Canada, candidates can unlock valuable additional points without having to wait years to accumulate more Canadian experience.
Aspiring permanent residents are encouraged to assess their profiles holistically, ensuring that not only Canadian experience but also past global experience is adequately reflected and maximized in their CRS score computations.
Maple News will continue to provide timely immigration insights to help applicants navigate Canada’s evolving immigration system effectively.