“I’m 46. Is it too late for me to apply for Canada PR?”
Not at all. There is no need to lose hope. We have worked with many senior immigrants who are now enjoying the benefits of being permanent residents in Canada.
However, it’s important to understand why immigrating to Canada after 40 can be challenging. The Canadian immigration system, Express Entry, for instance, awards points based on various factors, including age. Those under 30 receive the maximum points, while those over 45 receive fewer. But don’t let this discourage you. There are ways to enhance your profile and increase your chances of success.
- Age Limit: There is no specific age limit for Canadian immigration programs.
- Express Entry: This system awards points based on age, with those under 30 receiving the maximum points.
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in French and English can help recover lost points. It has significant weight in the Express Entry process.
- Work and Study Experience: Previous work and study experiences in Canada can also be a deciding factor. The Express Entry system awards up to 30 points to those with Canadian academic training and up to 80 points for 1 year of work in the country in an occupation considered high skilled.
- Immigration Programs: Canada has over 80 programs for receiving foreigners. In addition to the options made available by the federal government, Canada also has several selection systems for immigrants at the provincial level, many of which are not age-restricted.
- Study Permit: There is no age limit for a Canadian Student Visa. If there is any restriction, it will be at the university level, not the visa level.
- Work Experience, Education, and Occupation: As an applicant, you can strive to gain more work experience, boost your education credentials, and work in an eligible occupation.
Impact of Age on Canada’s Immigration Scoring System
Canada’s immigration programs assess applicants in a variety of areas. This can include occupation, work experience, education level, language proficiency, and age. As an applicant, you can strive to gain more work experience, boost your education credentials, and work in an eligible occupation. But you cannot change your age. Your age reduces the possible options for Canadian immigration.
The system relies on your “CRS score,” which is likely lower if you are past a certain age. The CRS points awarded to applicants based on age are displayed in the following table.
| Age | CRS Points for Applicants that have a spouse or a common-law partner | CRS Points for Applicants without a spouse or a common-law partner |
|---|---|---|
| 17 or younger | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | 90 | 99 |
| 19 | 95 | 105 |
| 20 to 29 | 100 | 110 |
| 30 | 95 | 105 |
| 31 | 90 | 99 |
| 32 | 85 | 94 |
| 33 | 80 | 88 |
| 34 | 75 | 83 |
| 35 | 70 | 77 |
| 36 | 65 | 72 |
| 37 | 60 | 66 |
| 38 | 55 | 61 |
| 39 | 50 | 55 |
| 40 | 45 | 50 |
| 41 | 35 | 39 |
| 42 | 25 | 28 |
| 43 | 15 | 17 |
| 44 | 5 | 6 |
| 45 or above | 0 | 0 |
As you can see, an applicant’s CRS score lowers after age 29. Applicants who are 45 or older get 0 CRS points in this category, which puts them at a disadvantage compared to younger applicants. Here are 4 Ways to Get Canada PR after 40 years of age.
1. Express Entry
It is the most straightforward of all the other immigration routes but also the most difficult one. The reason is that age reduces about 100 CRS points from your Express Entry profile. So, how do we compensate for this gap?
Applicants over 40 who wish to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry Program have many other ways to boost their CRS score. This includes:
1. Scoring Well on Language Proficiency Tests
You can add extra points to your CRS score by performing well on a Canadian language proficiency test. The points for each language benchmark are shown in the following table:
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level score for each ability | Applicants that have a spouse or a common-law partner | Applicants without a spouse or a common-law partner |
|---|---|---|
| Less than CLB 4 | 0 | 0 |
| CLB 4 or 5 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 6 | 8 | 9 |
| CLB 7 | 16 | 17 |
| CLB 8 | 22 | 23 |
| CLB 9 | 29 | 31 |
| CLB 10 or more | 32 | 34 |
2. Possessing Advanced Post-Secondary Education Degrees
You can also get a higher CRS score depending on your level of education. The following table describes the number of CRS points you can receive for each level of education.
| Education Level | Applicants that have a spouse or a common-law partner | Applicants without a spouse or a common-law partner |
|---|---|---|
| High School or Less than secondary school. | 0 | 0 |
| High school graduation. | 28 | 30 |
| A one-year degree, or a diploma or certificate obtained from a university, college, technical or trade school, or any other similar institute. | 84 | 90 |
| A two-year program studied at a university, college, technical or trade school, or another similar institute. | 91 | 98 |
| A Bachelor's degree OR a three or longer program at a university, college, technical or trade school, or another similar institute. | 112 | 120 |
| Possessing two or more degrees, diplomas, or certificates. One of these must be awarded for a program that is three years or longer in length. | 119 | 128 |
| A Master's degree, or a professional degree required to practice in a licensed occupation such as medicine or law. | 126 | 135 |
| A doctoral-level university degree or Ph.D. | 140 | 150 |
3. Having a Valid Job Offer
Applicants can receive many CRS points for Express Entry if they have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. Depending on your NOC code, you can earn between 50 and 200 points in this category. NOC TEER 0 jobs are rewarded 200 CRS points, while NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 jobs are awarded 50 CRS points.
Read more: 7 Practical Tips to Get Job Offer from Outside Canada
2. Business Immigration
Applicants above 40 can also apply for immigration using one of the many business immigration programs available. This includes:
- Start-Up Visa Program
- Self-Employed Persons Program
- Business PNP Programs
These business immigration programs focus less on an applicant’s age and more on their business experience and ability to contribute or invest in Canada’s economy. This makes it ideal for applicants over 40 who possess extensive business experience or the funds to make a significant investment in the country.
3. Study Permit to Permanent Resident
Many international students choose this study permit to PR pathway to settle in Canada permanently. In the same way, you can also study in Canada after 40 years.
It is a 3 step process, where you first apply for a Study permit, then get a PGWP, and eventually, you can apply for PR via the Canadian Experience Class program.
Many local immigration consultants may not advise older clients to pursue higher education in Canada due to the limited number of universities that accept candidates over the age of 40. In an attempt to enroll older clients, these consultants often recommend universities that provide the highest incentives, which can result in hefty fees.
To ensure a better study option, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a Registered Canadian Immigration consultant such as ELAAR.
Read more: Canada Student Visa After 5 to 25 Years Long Gap
Getting Study Permit in Canada After 40
There is no such age limit for a Canadian Student Visa. If there is any restriction, it will be at the university level, not the visa level. The first step would be finding a DLI that accepts candidates over 40.
Also, you must convince the visa officer at the interview that you will return to your home country once you complete your study program. You need to show proof of adequate funds available for all your expenses in Canada.
All these efforts can work out only if you have a strong case. We can help you submit a compelling case so that the study plan makes sense. You can book an appointment with ELAAR for professional advice on your case.
4. Apply for a Job in Canada
This option works for people with significant experience in high-demand jobs in Canada.
- It is a 3 step process, where you first apply for a job in Canada.
- After getting a job offer, you apply for a Canadian work permit and start working in Canada.
- Once you gain 1+ years of experience, you can apply for Canadian PR.
Alternatively, you can come to Canada with a visitor visa. After that, you can search for work in Canada and get a work permit. For example, there is an extreme demand for Nanny/Caregivers in Canada. Many applicants who are 40 years and above apply for these jobs. Most of these candidates come from the Philippines, Asia, and Africa.
Read more: Visitor Visa to Work Permit Canada: The Ultimate Guide
How can we help?
We can help applicants whether they want to gain additional CRS points by studying, working, or immigrating to Canada through business immigration. In addition to this, our immigration consultants can also help your spouse apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit and dependent visas for your children.
This arrangement allows your family to come to Canada while you work towards achieving Canadian permanent residency. Keshav Sharma, a licensed immigration consultant with extensive immigration and business management experience, heads our immigration consultant team.
He can use his expertise to guide you on business immigration matters and optimize your application as a mature applicant. Get in touch with Elaar Immigration Consulting and start this process today.
