How to move to Canada if you are over 30!

Since Express Entry draws started again after a very long break due to covid, there came with it the realisation that you are going to need a very high CRS score to be selected, with recent 'all program' draws requiring a score in the 540s.

As you may know, CRS points are awarded for a number of things, such as work experience, education, job offer, language skills and siblings in Canada, a lot of which you can improve on to try and increase your score. However, one thing which you unfortunately can’t change is your age, and the older you get, the more points you lose. To be more specific, you will gain the maximum of 100 points if with a spouse, and 110 if single, for being aged between 20 and 29, each year after 29 you will lose 5 points per year, and each year after 40 you will lose 10 points per year, until age 45 where you will no longer be awarded any points. Basically, after 30, CRS points become more difficult to obtain.

So, how do you achieve a score of over 500 CRS points if you are over 30, and starting to lose points? One thing older applicants often have in their favour is many years of skilled work experience, far more than a 20 year old may have, so although you may not gain as many points for your age, experience is something which you can use to your advantage. Of course these immigration pathways can also be used for people who are under 30 and perhaps don’t have a high enough CRS score to get selected in these new crazy Express Entry draws.

1.Job Offer:

To start with, more years of work experience can be very beneficial when looking to secure a job offer in Canada. As well as looking at education and credentials, employers are often equally as interested in experience. If you are aged 35 and have 10 years’ experience in a skilled position, you will be much more attractive to an employer than a 25 year old who has just 1 year of work experience. Finding a job before you arrive in Canada is no easy task, and having additional years of work experience could make all the difference. As well as this, a job offer could provide you with either 50 or 200 extra CRS points, depending on whether or not it is a managerial position, which will more than make up for any points lost due to age. The Canadian Job Bank is a fantastic place to start looking for a job in Canada.

2. Provincial Nomination

The next option is getting a provincial nomination, or PNP. This is by far and away the best way to improve your CRS points total, as a nomination from one of Canada’s provinces provides you with 600 extra points! This would as good as guarantee that you would be selected in the next Express Entry general draw. Every province and territory has their own programs depending on the labour needs of the province, some have several programs, some only have 2 or 3, and while most PNPs require a job offer from an employer in the province, there are a few that don’t. 

The way PNPs work depends on whether they are linked to Express Entry or not. If they are Express Entry-linked programs, you first need to create an Express Entry profile, and specify the province you are interested in on your profile. Once you get a nomination from a province, it will be added to your profile and give you those wonderful 600 points. The alternative option is for programs which are not Express Entry programs, and which instead require applicants to submit an Expression of Interest, or EOI. This is done through the provincial website rather than through the Federal Express Entry program. If you do not meet the requirements for any of the Express Entry programs, due to a lower language level, for example, an Expression of Interest PNP could be a great option.

The great thing about PNPs is that while Express Entry penalises you for getting older, many provincial nominee programs have no age limit, and will even allow applicants over the age of 50! As an example, the Manitoba Skilled Workers Stream awards the most points for applicants aged between 21 and 45, you can still gain points up to age 49. Nova Scotia accepts applications from people aged between 21 and 55, and Ontario also accepts applicants up to the age of 49.

3. Home Child Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot

A popular option for older applicants looking to move to Canada permanently is the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot. These are both 5-year pilot programs which allow applicants who have experience as caregivers or childminders to come to Canada and become permanent residents. 

4. Atlantic Immigration Program

Another option for candidates aged 30 or older is the Atlantic Immigration Program, which is now a permanent program. The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to move to one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces - Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The program helps to find skilled workers who can fill labour shortages in each individual province, where local workers couldn’t be found. Candidates must meet language, education and work experience requirements, but there is no age limit to apply.

5. Federal Start-up Visa program

Our next tip for gaining Canadian permanent residence is to look into the Federal Start-up Visa program, which is for entrepreneurs with a suitable business idea which will provide new jobs for Canadians. You must have a qualifying business and a letter of support from a designated organisation who is willing to invest in your idea. You will also need to meet language requirements and provide proof of funds. You can find out more about the Start-up Visa program here.

6. Study Route

Although not strictly an immigration route, there is always the option to come to Canada as a student, study for at least 1 year, and then gain valuable work experience after graduating. Depending on your study program, you may be eligible for a 3-year post graduate work permit after finishing your studies. With just 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class.

Although expensive, this is a very popular option for many people as there is no age limit, anyone can come and study in Canada, and if you are strategic, it can eventually lead to permanent residence. It is an especially appealing route if you are planning on taking a study course anyway, with the bonus of working towards Canadian PR afterwards. An extra bonus is that you can work up to 20 hours per week whilst studying full time, and if you bring your spouse, they may be eligible to apply for an open work permit while you study, depending on the level of your study program.

7. Self-employed category

Finally, if your experience is relevant, the Self-employed category could be a great option for older applicants. You need to show at least 2 years’ experience in a self-employed capacity, in either cultural or athletics activities, and you need to prove that you will be able to support yourself as a self-employed worker in Canada. The great thing is that there is a long list of eligible self-employed activities, for example: painters / musicians / authors / librarians / and graphic designers.

Hopefully this has given you some ideas on where to begin if you are older than 30 and losing CRS points every year! There are so many immigration routes, and it’s so hard to know which one is best for you, so please get in touch with us through our contact page to discuss your options and to get started on your journey to Canada.