Potential Canadian immigrants may feel disheartened about applying for Express Entry once they turn 35, primarily because they lose points on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
The Express Entry system uses the CRS to assess and rank eligible candidates based on their human capital factors. This ranking determines whether they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
In addition to age, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) evaluates candidates based on their language skills, education, work experience, and occupation.
How Age Affects Your CRS Score
Many potential Canadian immigrants hesitate to pursue Express Entry after turning 35 due to the CRS’s age-related point deductions. The CRS reduces points for each year an applicant is over the age of 29.
The following table illustrates the maximum CRS points available based on age:
Age (in years) | With Spouse (max points: 100) | Without Spouse (max points: 110) |
Under 18 | 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 |
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 and Over | 0 | 0 |
Strategies to Enhance Your Express Entry Chances
Although age can reduce CRS points, older applicants can improve their chances of receiving an ITA by considering these strategies:
Explore Category-Based Selection Draws
Candidates concerned about their CRS score might benefit from IRCC’s category-based Express Entry draws. These draws often have lower CRS cut-off scores compared to general or program-specific draws. For instance, in 2024, category-based draws have featured CRS cut-offs up to 33 points lower than those in general draws. Thus, older candidates might find more success in category-based draws.
Include a Spouse in Your Application
If you have a spouse who is also eligible for Express Entry, consider including them in your application. The CRS awards additional points for candidates with a spouse or common-law partner, up to 40 extra points in total. These points are distributed as follows:
Up to 10 points for the spouse’s education
Up to 20 points for the spouse’s official language proficiency
Up to 10 points for the spouse’s Canadian work experience
Alternatively, if both partners are eligible, the one with the higher CRS score should be the principal applicant.
Improve Your Language Proficiency
Higher language proficiency can significantly boost your CRS score. For instance, achieving a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 10, rather than the minimum CLB 7, can double the points awarded for language skills. For each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), a CLB 7 earns 16 points, while a CLB 10 earns 32 points. Additionally, proficiency in a second language can earn up to 6 points per skill at CLB 9 or higher.
By focusing on these areas, older candidates can enhance their Express Entry profiles and increase their chances of receiving an ITA for Canadian permanent residence.
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