Is It Worth Applying for Express Entry After You Turn 35

Prospective Canadian immigrants often feel discouraged from applying for Express Entry after turning 35, primarily due to the reduction in their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The Express Entry system ranks eligible candidates using the CRS, which assesses various human capital factors before issuing Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Besides age, the CRS also evaluates factors such as language proficiency, education, work experience, and occupation.

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How Age Affects Your CRS Score

Many prospective Canadian immigrants hesitate to pursue Express Entry as a pathway to permanent residency because the IRCC’s CRS reduces points for each year an applicant is over the age of 29.

The table below shows the maximum CRS points available to candidates based on their age:

Strategies to Improve Your Chances of Express Entry Success

While candidates aged 35 and older may receive fewer CRS points due to age, the following three strategies can help older prospective immigrants enhance their chances of securing an Express Entry ITA.

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Consider Eligibility for Category-Based Selection Draws

Candidates concerned about achieving a high CRS score should explore the possibility of obtaining an ITA through IRCC's category-based Express Entry draws. These draws typically have lower CRS cut-off scores, offering an advantage to eligible candidates. For example, in 2024, the lowest CRS score for general or program-specific draws hasn't dropped below 524, while category-based draws have consistently had cut-off scores at least 33 points lower. This means older candidates may find it easier to secure an ITA through category-based draws, minimizing the impact of age on their CRS score.

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Include Your Spouse in the Express Entry Application (if eligible)

If your spouse is also eligible for Express Entry, consider adding them to your application. The CRS awards additional points when you apply with a spouse. In fact, IRCC has a specific category within the CRS for "spouse or common-law partner factors," which can add up to 40 extra points. These points are distributed as follows:

• Up to 10 points for your spouse/partner’s education
• Up to 20 points for their language proficiency
• Up to 10 points for their Canadian work experience

Alternatively, if both partners are eligible for Express Entry, the individual with the higher potential CRS score should be the principal applicant when submitting the Express Entry profile.

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Improve Language Proficiency

IRCC awards additional points to candidates who exceed the minimum language requirements for their program. For instance, while a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 might be sufficient for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), achieving a higher level, such as CLB 10, can significantly boost your CRS score.

Specifically, a primary applicant without a spouse or common-law partner would earn 16 CRS points per skill at CLB 7, whereas CLB 10 would earn 32 points per skill. The four language skills assessed by IRCC are reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

For second language proficiency, candidates can earn 3 CRS points per skill at CLB levels 7 or 8, while achieving CLB 9 or higher would increase this to 6 points per skill.