” I am 46 years old. Is it too late for me to apply for PR in Canada?
No way. We must not lose hope. We have worked with many older immigrants who are now enjoying the benefits of permanent resident status in Canada.
However, it is important to understand why immigrating to Canada after 40 can be difficult. The Canadian immigration system, Express Entry, for example, 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 that discourage you. There are ways to improve your profile and increase your chances of success.
Impact of Age on Canada’s Immigration Scoring System
Canada’s immigration programs assess candidates in various areas. This may include occupation, work experience, education level, language proficiency and age. As a candidate, you can strive to gain more work experience, improve your qualifications, and pursue an eligible profession. But you can’t change your age. Your age narrows your options for Canadian immigration.
The system relies on your “CRS score,” which is likely lower if you’re over a certain age. The CRS points awarded to candidates based on their age are displayed in the following table.
As you can see, a candidate’s CRS score decreases after the age of 29. Applicants aged 45 or over score 0 CRS points in this category, putting them at a disadvantage compared to younger applicants. Here are 4 ways to get PR in Canada after 40.
It is the simplest of all other immigration routes, but also the most difficult. The reason is that age decreases by approximately 100 CRS points from your Express Entry profile. So how can we compensate for this gap?
Applicants over 40 who wish to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry program have many other ways to increase their CRS score. This includes:
You can add extra points to your CRS score by doing well on a Canadian language proficiency test. The points for each linguistic reference are indicated in the following table:
You can also get a higher CRS score based on your education level. The following table describes the number of CRS points you can receive for each level of education.
| level of education | Applicants who have a spouse or common-law partner | Applicants without a spouse or common-law partner |
|---|---|---|
| High school or less than high school. | 0 | 0 |
| High school diploma. | 28 | 30 |
| A one-year degree, or a diploma or certificate obtained from a university, college, technical or trade school, or other similar institute. | 84 | 90 |
| A two-year program studied at a university, college, technical or trade school, or other similar institute. | 91 | 98 |
| A bachelor’s degree OR a program of three years or more at a university, college, technical or trade school, or other similar institute. | 112 | 120 |
| Possess at least two diplomas, diplomas or certificates. One of these must be awarded for a program lasting three years or more. | 119 | 128 |
| A master’s or professional degree required to practice a licensed profession such as medicine or law. | 126 | 135 |
| A doctoral university degree or Ph.D. | 140 | 150 |
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 pointswhile NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 jobs are allocated 50 CRS points.
Learn more: 7 practical tips for getting a job offer outside of Canada
Applicants over the age of 40 can also apply for immigration using one of the many business immigration programs available. This includes:
These business immigration programs focus less on the age of the applicant and more on their business experience and ability to contribute or invest in the Canadian economy. This makes it ideal for candidates over 40 with extensive business experience or funds make a significant investment in the country.
Many international students choose this study permit to RP route to settle in Canada permanently. Similarly, you can also study in Canada after 40 years of age.
It is a 3-step process, where you first apply for a study permit, then obtain a PGWP, and eventually, you can apply for a PR through the Canadian Experience Class program.
Many local immigration consultants may not advise their older clients to pursue higher education in Canada due to the limited number of universities that accept applicants over the age of 40. In an effort to enroll older clients, these consultants often recommend universities that offer the highest incentives, which can result in high fees.
To ensure a better study option, it is advisable to seek advice from a registered Canadian immigration consultant such as ELAAR.
Learn more: Canadian student visa after a gap of 5 to 25 years
There is no age limit for a Canadian student visa. If there is a restriction, it will be at the university level and not at the visa level. The first step would be to find a DLI that accepts applicants over 40 years old.
Additionally, you must convince the visa officer during the interview that you will return to your home country after completing your study program. You must prove that you have sufficient funds for all your expenses in Canada.
All these efforts can only succeed if you have solid arguments. We can help you submit a convincing case so that the study plan makes sense. You can make an appointment with ELAAR for professional advice on your case.
This option is suitable for individuals with significant experience in high-demand jobs in Canada.
- This is a 3-step process, where you first apply for a job in Canada.
- After receiving a job offer, you apply for a Canadian work permit and start working in Canada.
- Once you have gained more than a year of experience, you can apply for Canadian public relations.
Alternatively, you can come to Canada with a visitor visa. After that, you can look for work in Canada and obtain a work permit. For example, there is extreme demand for Nanny/caregiver in Canada. Many candidates aged 40 and above apply for these jobs. Most of these candidates come from the Philippines, Asia and Africa.
Learn more: Canada Work Permit Visitor Visa: The Ultimate Guide
We can help candidates if they wish to earn 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 Spouse’s open work permit And visas for dependents for your children.
This arrangement allows your family to come to Canada while you work to obtain permanent residence in Canada. Keshav Sharmaa licensed immigration consultant with extensive experience in immigration and business management, leads our team of immigration consultants.
He can use his expertise to guide you on business immigration issues and optimize your application as an adult candidate. Contact Elaar Immigration Consulting and start this process today.