CRS scores decrease and ITA chances improve

by Michael Scott

Do you know that many skilled worker applicants have given up applying for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class? They believe the minimum Comparative Rating Scale (CRS) scores are too high. Think again, because the recent decrease in minimum scores mean that your chances for an invitation have improved. The CRS in recent invitations is going down considerably. For many months the minimum number remained in the range of 533 to 534. However, invitations in late 2025 and early 2026 have led to an increase in the number of invitations to apply (ITA).

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), for example, which is comprised of many applicants who have studied or worked in Canada, has issued invitations with cut-off scores as low as 509 on January 2026. Thousands of CEC candidates, who previously scored too low for selection were issued ITAs. Some have low language scores, others no foreign work experience, and still others lower levels of education. If the cut-off scores in the CEC draws remain at this level or continue to fall, more candidates will receive an Invitation to Apply even though their CRS scores are historically lower than those in the past.

First, let us look at cut-off scores in recent CEC draws. Note the number of invitations based on the lowering of the minimum scores in the table on this page.

Recent draws under CEC

Hypothetical applicants

Let us examine a few hypothetical applicants based on differing qualifications. My purpose is to give potential applicants a better understanding of who is being invited and what their qualifications are. The review can provide readers with a better chance to assess their own potential.

The first example is Ashok. He is a single 32-year-old assistant professor who lived in his native India. Ashok is highly educated in India with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a PhD in Business Administration. He worked in his professional field for three years but grew frustrated by limited job prospects in India and considered immigrating to Canada. He recently obtained a work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and has worked in Ontario as an executive assistant for the past year.

If we calculate his points, Ashok has points for age, education, work experience in his native India and Canada, and high language scores in both English and French make him an excellent candidate for an ITA under the Canadian Experience Class. His CRS score of 524 is higher than the minimum score in four of the five recent draws exhibited on our chart.

The second example is Danuta, a single 29-year-old woman who comes from Scotland. She completed a one-year college certificate in her home country after finishing secondary school. She moved to Alberta on a study permit and completed a four-year bachelor’s program. Danuta obtained a post-graduate work permit and has remained working in Alberta. The subject has good language skills in English and French, completion of a BA degree from a Canadian educational institution and three years of Canadian work experience. Her CRS score of 511 meets or surpasses the minimum CRS scores in two of five recent draws. She has a reasonable expectation of receiving an invitation to apply.

The third example is Jiri who is a single man, 27 years of age, from Slovenia. He has three years of work experience as a web designer in his home country following completion of a three-year bachelor’s degree and a graduation from a two-year Master of Science degree in web design. The subject has worked in Atlantic Canada on an employer-specific work permit. He has fair English skills with CLB level 7 and no French. He plans to settle in New Brunswick close his naturalized Canadian brother. Jiri’s CRS is 515, which meets or exceeds three of the five recent CEC invitations to apply noted above. The subject has an excellent chance for an ITA and the skills, education and experience in an in-demand occupation as a web designer.

The next example is a married 30-year-old woman from the Philippines with three years of food service experience in her home country. She obtained a Canadian study permit and completed a one-year food and beverage management certificate at a community college in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her husband Luis is 33. He has a two-year diploma in business, joined her in Canada on a closed work permit. Following graduation, Lourdes obtained an employer specific work permit and worked as a restaurant manager for three years. Lourdes has excellent English communication skills with CLB 11 and no French. Spouse Luis scores CLB 7 for English.

Lourdes has some great potential and the added points for her accompanying spouse. The couple’s potential CRS score of 510 surpasses one of the recent draws. However, with the current trend to decrease the minimum scores, Lourdes has a reasonable chance for an invitation to apply. She may also consider the Manitoba stream of the provincial nominee program.

The four examples used above are not the only ones with a chance for an invitation. It is important for potential applicants to be aware of both the chances under Express Entry, such as CEC, but also the provincial nominee program. Manitoba, for example, has a very competitive program and is working with colleges, employers and families in the province to attract new workers to the province. It is never time to give up and stop applying. The purpose of the article is to encourage potential applicants to apply. You may discover chances you thought were closed. Good luck and do not despair.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com.