4 Essential Ways to Immigrate to Canada After 40
I’m 46 years old. Am I too late to apply for Canada PR?
Don’t worry! There is no need to lose hope. In Canada federal skilled worker program, we have worked with many senior immigrants who are now enjoying the benefits of being permanent residents.
Therefore, it is necessary to understand why skilled immigration to Canada is challenging after age 40. The immigration system of Canada, the express entry process, for instance, points awards based on various factors, including age. Applicants under 30 quickly receive the maximum points, whereas those over the age of 45 receive fewer points. But don’t let this disappoint you. There are different ways to improve your profile and increase your chance of success.
Age limit: If you apply under the Canada federal skilled worker program, there are no specific age limits.
Express Entry: This award points system is based on age; candidates under 30 receive the average points.
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English and French can help you recover lost points. It is of remarkable weight in the express entry process.
Study And Work Experience: Previous study and work experience in Canada can also be an essential factor; 30 points are awarded under the express entry system to those with Canadian academic training, and those who work for one or more years get up to 80 points in the country in the occupation considered high skilled.
Immigration Programs: There are more than 80 Canadian federal skilled worker program for foreigners. In addition to the many other courses available by the federal government, Canada also has a different selection system for Canada skilled immigration at the provincial level, many of which are not age-restricted.
Study Permit: There is no age limitation for a Canadian student visa. However, there may be restrictions at the university level, not the visa level.
Education, Occupation, And Work Experience: As an applicant, you need to gain more work experience, increase your educational credentials, and work in an eligible occupation.
Age Impact on Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program Scoring System
Canada Skilled immigration programs evaluate applicants in different areas. This can include work experience, language proficiency, occupation, and age. As an applicant, your mission is to boost your educational credentials, gain more work experience, and work in an eligible occupation. But changing your age is not in your hands; possible options for skilled immigration to Canada are reduced because of your age.
The system depends on your “CRS score,” which is likely lower if you are past a certain age.
The CRS points based on the age awarded to applicants are mentioned in the following table.
Age | CRS Points for Applicants Who Have a Common-Law Partner or a Spouse | CRS Points for Applicants Without a Common-Law Partner or a Spouse |
17 or looks younger | 0 | 0 |
18 | 90 | 99 |
19 | 95 | 105 |
20-29 | 100 | 110 |
30 | 95 | 105 |
31 | 90 | 99 |
32 | 85 | 94 |
33 | 80 | 88 |
34 | 75 | 83 |
35 | 70 | 77 |
As you see in this table, an applicant’s CRS score lowers after 29. Those applicants who are 45 or older avail 0 points in this category; however, compared to younger applicants, this puts them at a disadvantage. Here, we share four easy ways to get Canada PR after reaching 40 years of age.
1. Express Entry
It is the simplest and easiest way compared to all other immigration routes, but also tricky. The reason is that the age is reduced by about 100 CRS points from your express entry profile. So, the question arises: how do we compensate for this gap?
Applicants over the age of 40 who dream of applying for permanent residence through the express entry program have various other ways to boost their CRS score. This includes:
1.1 Scoring Healthy Points on Language Proficiency Tests
Applicant can add more points to their CRS score by performing best on a Canadian language proficiency test. The points for each standard are shown in the following table:
The level score for each ability Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | Applicant that has a common-law partner or a spouse | An applicant without a common-law partner or a spouse |
CLB less than 4 | 0 | 0 |
CLB minimum 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 than this range | 32 | 34 |
Processing Advanced Post-Secondary Education Degrees
You can also avail a higher CRS score based on your level of education. The below mention table explains the number of CRS points you can get for each level of education.
Education level | Applicants that have a common law partner and spouse | Applicants without a common-law partner or a spouse |
High or less than secondary school | 0 | 0 |
Graduation from high school | 28 | 30 |
A 1-year degree, certificate, or diploma obtained from a college, university, trade or technical school, or any other similar educational institute. | 84 | 90 |
A 2-year program studied from any university, college, trade and technical school, or any other similar educational institute. | 91 | 98 |
A 3 or longer program or bachelor’s degree at a university, college trade or technical school, or another similar educational institute | 112 | 120 |
Holding two or more degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Applicant must be awarded points for a program that is three years or longer in length | 119 | 128 |
A professional or master’s degree is required to be admitted to a licensed occupation such as law or medicine | 126 | 135 |
A Ph.D. or doctoral-level university degree | 140 | 150 |
Valid Job Offers
Applicants can enjoy many CRS points for express entry if they have an accurate job offer from a Canadian employer. It depends on the candidate’s NOC code. You can earn between 50 and 500 points in this category, and NOC TEER 0 jobs are awarded 200 CRS points. At the same time, NOC TEER 0, 1, and 2,3 jobs are rewarded 50 CRS points.
2. Business Immigration
Applicants above the age of 40 can also apply for immigration using one of the various business immigration programs available, such as:
- Start-up visa Canada federal skilled worker program
- Self-employment person program
- Business PNP programs
This skilled immigration to Canada business program focusses more on their business abilities and experience and less on an applicant’s age to invest and contribute to Canada’s economy. This makes it perfect for applicants over 40 who possess funds and extensive business experience to make a remarkable investment in the country.
3. Study Permits for Permanent Residents.
Various international students select this study permit for the PR pathway to settle permanently in Canada by following the same way. You can also study in Canada at and after 40 years.
After following the 3-step process, you will easily apply for a study permit and then avail yourself of a PGWP. Applicants can also apply for PR under the Canada skilled immigration program.
Due to the limited number of universities that allow candidates to apply after reaching the age of 40, various local immigration consultants do not advise clients over 40 years old to apply through Canada federal skilled worker program and pursue higher education in Canada. To enroll clients over 40, these consultants often recommend universities that offer the highest incentives, which results in massive fees.
To ensure an excellent study option after applying under Canada federal skilled worker program, it is recommended to seek the guidance of a registered immigration consultant such as Fly High Abroad Abu Dhabi.
4. Apply For a Job in Canada
This option is best for people with excellent experience in high-demand jobs in Canada.
- It is the third step of the process, allowing the applicant to apply for Canada federal skilled worker program.
- After accepting a job offer, you have the right to apply for a work permit and start working in Canada.
- You can easily apply for Canadian PR once you gain more than one year of experience.
How Can Fly High Abroad Abu Dhabi Help?
We can assist applicants whether they plan to gain additional CRP points by studying, immigrating, or working in Canada through business immigration. Moreover, our experienced immigration consultant can help your spouse apply for spousal-dependent visas and open work permits for your children.
This spousal allows your family to join you in Canada while you work towards getting Canadian permanent residency. ABHISHEK MAHAJAN, a licensed immigration consultant with comprehensive business and immigration experience, heads our immigration consultant team.
He can apply his expertise to guide applicants on Canada federal skilled worker program matters and boost your application as an adult applicant. Contact Fly High Abroad Abu Dhabi Consulting and start this process today!