Should I enter the Express Entry pool if I have a low CRS?

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You can still immigrate to Canada even if you have a low CRS.

Are you among those with a low CRS score who feel it may not be worthwhile to submit an Express Entry profile?
You may have been following recent rounds of invitations and see that most candidates who received an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada through recent draws scored above 460 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
This can be a discouraging factor at first glance. However, there are many reasons why having a low projected CRS score should not discourage you from entering the Express Entry pool.
The Express Entry pool is comprised of candidates for three federal skilled worker immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class.
Entering the Express Entry pool, if you meet the eligibility criteria, is a definite advantage and increases your chances of successfully immigrating to Canada. Here are some of the reasons.
Express Entry CRS thresholds are variable and unpredictable. What may appear to you as a low CRS score may eventually allow you to obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent resident status.
Once you have entered the Express Entry pool and you are eligible for a PNP, you may receive a “Notification of Interest” from a province. You will have to apply to the province and if approved, you will receive what is called a provincial nomination which will automatically give you 600 points towards your CRS score and essentially guarantee that you will get invited to apply for permanent residence.
Therefore, even if your CRS score is not high enough for federal immigration programs, it does not mean that it will not be enough for you to be invited by one of Canada’s provinces, which can then lead to the issuance of a Canadian permanent resident visa.
Finally, Canada has set the highest immigration targets in its history for the next three years. Under its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants per year, of whom, some 110,000 are set to arrive through Express Entry. These targets will continue to increase in subsequent years, reaching a maximum of 113,750 in 2023. To meet these ambitious targets, Canada will have to continue issuing large numbers of Express Entry invitations and may even see much lower CRS thresholds in future draws.
If you are considering immigrating to Canada, it may be in your best interest to enter the Express Entry pool even with a low CRS score, as there are many ways to improve it and you will increase your chances of obtaining permanent residence.

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