Canadian immigration has an age problem. Specifically, if you are seeking immigration through Express Entry, after 30 years of age, you begin to progressively lose points for age.
If you are unfamiliar with Express Entry, you should contact us, and we will explain it to you in greater detail, however, for the purposes of this article, we can tell you Express Entry is the system used by the Canadian government that manages applications for Canadian permanent residency. Express Entry is based on a point-based system, the CRS, that ranks candidates’ profiles.
Express Entry application is a two-step process. The first step is where you create an Express Entry profile, that outlines basic information about you, including any relevant work experience, education and language proficiency.
Your profile is then assessed by the Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS. Your CRS score, assigned to your profile and determines your ranking in against other hopeful applicants. Then every two weeks, the Canadian government conducts a draw, where they select the top-ranking profiles in the pool to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to the federal government for permanent residence. During this process, Express Entry Applicants are able to receive a maximum of 110 points when applying without a spouse or common-law partner for the age category. If you are applying as a couple, the maximum is adjusted to 100 points. Unfortunately, Canada prefers younger immigrants, and as a result, people in their 20s frequently receive the most points based on age alone. Additionally, people over 45 years old, or older, do not receive any points for age.
No, it isn’t fair and hopefully changes will happen in the future. However, until Canada faces its age problem, we have a few simple tips to help you gain maximum points for Express Entry:
1) Improve Your Language Skills
If you are fluent in one of the two official languages (English and French) an applicant can earn between 128 – 136 points in this category.
2) Work Experience
Any additional work experience can increase an applicant’s CRS score.
3) Have A Job Offer
Applicants can receive anywhere from 50-200 points added to an applicant’s CRS score for an active job offer.
4) Receive a PNP Nomination
The Provincial Nomination Program, or PNP, is a tool used by regions across Canada to meet the demands of localized labour markets. An invitation grants the nominee an additional 600 CRS points
