Is it worth applying for Express Entry after you turn 35?

Prospective Canadian immigrants are sometimes discouraged from applying for Express Entry after they turn 35 years of age.

This is largely due to points lost on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

The Express Entry application management system uses the CRS to rank and order eligible Express Entry candidates based on their human capital factors before they can receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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In addition to age, the CRS considers a candidate’s language ability, education, work experience and occupation.

How age can impact your CRS score

The reason that many prospective Canadian immigrants are deterred from exploring Express Entry as a pathway to Canadian PR is because IRCC’s CRS deducts points for every year an applicant is beyond the age of 29.

The table below outlines the maximum CRS points available for candidates based on their age.

Age (in years)	With an accompanying spouse (maximum points: 100)	Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points: 110)
Under 18	0	0
18	90	99
19	95	105
20-29	100	110
30	95	105
31	90	99
32	85	94
33	80	88
34	75	83
35	70	77
36	65	72
37	60	66
38	55	61
39	50	55
40	45	50
41	35	39
42	25	28
43	15	17
44	5	6
45 and Over	0	0

Best practices to maximize chances of Express Entry success

Although Express Entry candidates aged 35 and older will receive fewer CRS points because of their age, the following three strategies can help older prospective immigrants boost their chances of receiving an Express Entry ITA.

Review eligibility for category-based selection draws

Express Entry candidates who are concerned about obtaining a high CRS score should consider pursuing an ITA through IRCC's category-based Express Entry draws.

This is because, as evidenced by the distribution of CRS scores this year, category-based draws allow eligible candidates to benefit from a generally lower CRS cut-off requirement.

Specifically, thus far in 2024, there has not been a general or program-specific Express Entry draw with a minimum/cut-off CRS score below 524. On the other hand, IRCC’s CRS cut-off for category-based draws has been at least 33 points lower in every 2024 draw.

Accordingly, older Express Entry candidates may not have to concern themselves with the impact of age on their CRS score if they can pursue an Express Entry ITA through category-based draws.

Add spouse to Express Entry application (if eligible)

Express Entry candidates with a spouse who is also eligible for Express Entry may explore the possibility of adding them to the application. This is because the CRS rewards candidates with additional points if they apply alongside their spouse.

In fact, IRCC has an entire category in the CRS dedicated to “spouse or common-law partner factors”.

This category rewards candidates with up to 40 additional CRS points, which breaks down as follows according to three different factors.

Maximum of 10 additional CRS points for spouse/partner’s education
Maximum of 20 additional CRS points for spouse/partner’s official language proficiency
Maximum of 10 additional CRS points for spouse/partner’s Canadian work experience

Alternatively, if two eligible candidates in a qualifying relationship are eligible for Express Entry. The individual with the higher potential CRS score should be the principal candidate on the Express Entry profile submitted to IRCC.

Increase language proficiency

IRCC rewards candidates for having language abilities above a program’s minimum requirements. For example, even if a candidate only requires a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the candidate will be rewarded should they obtain a higher level – up to CLB 10.

Specifically, for each of the four tested language skills* under first official language proficiency, a CLB 7 would earn a single (without a spouse or common-law partner) primary applicant 16 CRS points. Meanwhile, a CLB 10 would earn the same candidate 32 points.

*IRCC’s four tested language skills are reading, writing, speaking and listening

For second language proficiency, a candidate can also earn 3 CRS points (per skill) at CLB level 7 or 8 but a score of CLB 9 or higher would earn the candidate 6 points per skill.

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