Canada Permanent Residence Express Entry
Losing CRS points for age? You still have options
How much does your age matter in the Express Entry process? As the Canadian government tries to welcome more young workers to Canada, applicants in their 20s and early 30s certainly have an advantage, but to what extent? There are a few options for gaining back points lost for age.
Why Express Entry?
Express Entry is the most popular immigration option for skilled workers to Canada. It currently represents the fastest option for permanent residence in Canada, with a processing time averaging just four months.
Applying to immigration streams under Express Entry is a two-step process. The first step is the creation of an Express Entry profile, which outlines basic information about you including your work experience, education and language proficiency. Your profile is assessed using a tool called the Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS. The CRS score assigned to your profile determines your ranking in a pool of applicants. Roughly 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.
How to get back points lost on age
In the category of age, the CRS offers a maximum of 110 points to single applicants, or 100 points to applicants applying with a partner. These points are given to applicants between 20-29 years of age. The further away from this target, the fewer points you will receive. After 45, you cannot claim any points. Understandably, being able to claim the most points in any category will give you a better chance at being the most competitive in the Express Entry pool. However, being outside the target age range does not mean you are cannot be competitive. Here are some options for increasing your CRS score and making sure you can claim your best score.
- Skills Transferability FactorsThe maximum points for age with CRS is 110 or 100, depending on if you apply alone or with a partner. This number is significant considering the cut-off for receiving an ITA in the past months has lingered around the 430 mark. However, age is not the only factor where you can quickly pick up serious points. In the Skills Transferability Factors portion, an applicant can gain back those points for other experience. For example, the combined experience of two or more post-secondary degrees with a CLB level 9 gives you 50 points. Or three or more years of foreign work experience, with a CLB level 9 merits 50 more points. A small increase of a point or two in the language portion can drastically increase your overall CRS score.
- Job OfferAlthough a job offer is not necessary for immigration under Express Entry, receiving a job offer from a Canadian employer will guarantee you between 50-200 additional CRS points. The variance in points depends on what kind of occupation you are offered.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs)Each province has their own immigration programs called PNP’s. With a PNP nomination, an applicant can claim 600 points towards their CRS score. As the cut-off has been steadily staying in the 400 range, 600 points would make your application extremely competitive.
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