Can a 40-Year-Old Move to Canada?
Canada is a very popular relocation destination among all age ranges. Some 40-year-olds are among the many who also want to permanently move to Canada, but skeptical that they even have a chance.
There are many immigration paths to Canada, but most popular of all is via Express Entry, which uses a point-based system to rate potential Canadian immigration candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language skills, and more.
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The age factor can take some serious points away from the application of an older skilled immigrant, with those in the 20-29 age range positioned to get high points for their age.
Thus, the skepticism by 40-year-olds.
Let’s not get completely discouraged by this and, instead, look into how it is indeed possible to get enough points to be eligible to apply for permanent residency via Express Entry, if you are 40-years-old or above.
How Does Your Age Affect Your Express Entry Application?
Express Entry uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for measuring the eligibility of each candidate for permanent residency in Canada.
The points are given for the following criteria: age, education, work experience, language proficiency in English and/or French, and previous work experience in Canada.
You can get a maximum 600 points in total. So how many points will you be able to get for your age?
Maximum points that you can get for age are 110, and that’s if you are between 20-29 years of age. If you are 40-45 years of age, you can get 50 points, and from 45+ you get 0 points for your age.
You don’t need to get the maximum 600 points to be eligible for Express Entry.
This means that even if you miss the points for your age, but gain points in other eligibility aspects, you can still be a high-potential candidate and considered for a permanent residency visa to Canada.
How Can Individuals Over 40 Immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry System?
There are additional categories under which you can obtain the extra points that could substitute the missing or low age points, such as:
- Family in Canada
- Education obtained in Canada
- Work experience in Canada
- Getting the highest English language proficiency scores
- Learning French to get extra points for an additional language besides English
- Getting a diploma or certification in the highest in-demand occupation fields
- Getting a Canadian job offer
- If you have a spouse/partner who can add to your overall score or even become a primary applicant
- Gain more years of experience – In some instances, it might be a good idea to postpone the application submission by adding more years of experience in high demand occupations
Does This Mean You Won’t Be Able to Immigrate to Canada?
If you are 40-years-old or above, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to Immigrate to Canada. It means that you will need to score higher in other measured eligibility criteria.
There are plenty of permanent residents in Canada who are 40-years-old or above and have successfully immigrated to Canada, because they had the needed education, work experience and skills that are valued in Canada and thus, increase the chance of such immigrant’s positive contribution to the Canadian economy and overall development.
Keep in mind that to every country, the skills of its residents is of great importance in order to outperform other developed or developing countries, and stay competitive.
Here is a list of some of the occupations that are in high-demand in Canada, and candidates with experience and education in those fields are welcomed to apply for permanent residency in Canada:
- Web Developer
- Electrical Engineer
- Industrial Electrician
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Veterinarian (Vet)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Pharmacist
- Truck Driver
Immigration to Canada after 40?
Immigrating to Canada after the age of 40 can be a challenging and complex process, but it is not impossible.
Many immigrants over 40 come with a wealth of experience and skills that are highly sought after in Canada’s workforce, which can provide opportunities for successful integration into Canadian society.
According to a report by Statistics Canada, immigrants over the age of 40 account for a significant and growing proportion of Canada’s overall immigration intake.
In 2019, approximately 46,000 immigrants over the age of 45 were admitted to Canada, representing over 20% of the annual total.
Conclusion
If you are 40-years-old and Canada is your dream immigration destination, do not waste another minute and start your immigration process already today. The age is important criteria for Express Visa Entry Eligibility, but it is not the main determining factor of your profile being approved for permanent residency.
Find out today your eligibility for Canada – we can help!
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Can We Get PR in Canada at the Age of 40?
It is important to note that each immigration program in Canada has its own criteria for eligibility. For instance, the Federal Skilled Worker Program has a points-based system that takes into account age, education, work experience, language skills, and adaptability. However, age is just one of the several factors that are evaluated. Therefore, it is possible for someone above the age of 40 to still score well in the points-based system and qualify for permanent residency.
How Can You Raise Your CRS Score in Order to Receive a Canada PR Invitation?
One of the most effective ways is to improve your language proficiency in either English or French. Another way to improve the CRS score is to complete a higher level of education. Obtaining a Canadian educational qualification also adds extra points to the CRS score. Candidates can also obtain additional points by gaining work experience. Work experience in Canada or a skilled occupation listed in the NOC (National Occupation Classification) can increase the CRS score. However, it is crucial to ensure that the work experience gained meets the eligibility criteria set out in the CRS system.
If You Are Over 40, How Can You Increase Your CRS Score?
One of the ways to increase CRS scores is by obtaining a job offer in Canada. A job offer can provide an applicant with up to 200 CRS points, regardless of age. This strategy is particularly valuable for older applicants, because the education level score only awards a maximum of 14 points. Additionally, obtaining and improving levels of language proficiency can significantly increase CRS scores. Language skills are recognized in the CRS as an essential factor, and applicants can receive up to 160 points for their proficiency in English or French. Through language training and practice, older applicants can increase their chances of receiving higher CRS scores. Other strategies that can increase a CRS score and are open to older applicants include obtaining education certificates or diplomas, improving work experience by extending the period of employment, and seeking Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs). It is also essential to ensure that all documentation provided is accurate and authentic to avoid any issues with the application.
