What changes are planned for the Comprehensive Ranking System?

This update is part of the Express Entry draws hub, with the Express Entry guide. IRCC plans extensive changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System, or Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), this fall. These reforms will impact how candidates are ranked within the Express Entry pool. The department intends to place greater emphasis on factors associated with strong economic outcomes, particularly higher earnings after becoming a permanent resident. Public consultations were held in April and May 2026.

How might these reforms affect Express Entry candidates?

The proposed CRS reforms could impact how candidates are ranked within the Express Entry pool. Changes could disadvantage skilled tradespeople outside Canada. The current CRS heavily favors younger applicants, potentially disadvantaging older applicants with extensive professional experience. These reforms could affect who gets the opportunity to build a future in Canada.

What are the current scoring factors and economic outcomes?

The current scoring factors include age and experience points. Candidates without an accompanying spouse receive the maximum 110 age points between 20 and 29 years of age. Candidates aged 45 and older receive no age points. Experience points max out at 5 years. The average retirement age in 2025 was 65.4 years. In 2021, Express Entry immigrants had median weekly wages of $1,201, compared with $980 for non Express Entry economic immigrants and $972 for Canadian born workers. Express Entry immigrants with four years of Canadian experience had median weekly wages of $1,895, compared with $1,154 for those with four years of foreign experience.

What steps remain before the reforms are finalized?

IRCC plans to introduce CRS reforms this fall, but these are currently proposals. Not all proposals may be implemented. IRCC has not clarified how many points will be awarded for each factor. Before finalizing the reforms, IRCC should explain how it has weighed different objectives and publish modelling showing how the proposed points changes would affect different groups of candidates.