Background:
Been in Canada for 10+ years, financially stable, working full-time. Applying through Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
My profile:
• 3 years Canadian skilled work experience (NOC 21222 – TEER 1)
• No Canadian degree (studied but never completed my bachelor’s)
• Common-law partner who is Canadian (don't want to go down that path just yet!)
• Strong French and English test scores
Language scores:
• CELPIP: Listening 10, Reading 10, Writing 8, Speaking 8
• TEF Canada: NCLC 12/12/10/11
CRS score: 373
• Age: 105
• Education: 0 (no completed degree)
• First official language: 136
• Second official language: 18
• Canadian work experience: 64
• French proficiency bonus: 50
• Total: 373
The situation:
French draws have been hovering around 400 lately so I need roughly 27 more points. I feel like I’ve pretty much maxed out my language scores — retaking tests might give me marginal gains but nothing major.
My main question:
I completed high school abroad. Is there any way to get it evaluated/recognized (ECA or equivalent) to gain education points in the CRS? Would that even give me points or would it still be 0 since it’s just a secondary diploma?
Secondary question:
Any other levers I might be missing to close that ~27 point gap? PNP? Waiting for more Canadian work experience to accumulate? Something else?
Appreciate any insight from people who’ve been through a similar situation 🙏