Can I get an ITA through Express Entry over age 40 without a provincial nomination?

Can I get an ITA through Express Entry over age 40 without a provincial nomination?

Yes, while you can get an ITA through Express Entry over 40 even without a provincial nomination, the process may be challenging. The Express Entry system uses the CRS points calculator to analyse an applicant's eligibility. Points are assessed through age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability. Age is one of the major factors considered while evaluating the candidate’s eligibility; the older you are, the fewer the CRS points.

Candidates can usually score a maximum of 110 (without a spouse or common-law partner) and a minimum of 100 points (with a spouse or common-law partner) for the age category. While having a provincial nomination can get you 600 additional points, securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) without one is still possible, by focusing on other aspects such as higher language scores, an impressive educational background, and skilled Canadian work experience, etc.

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What are the maximum points allotted for “Age” in the Express Entry Program?

The maximum points allotted for the “Age” factor through the Express Entry system are 110 points if you are applying without a spouse or common-law partner and 100 points if you are applying with a spouse or common-law partner. Candidates between 20 and 29 years of age have better chances of scoring the highest points, while those at the age of 30 onwards start seeing a decrease of 5 points with every passing year.
 

Age	With a spouse or common-law partner	Without a spouse or common-law partner
	(Maximum 100 points)	(Maximum 110 points)
17 years of age or less	0	0
18 years of age	90	99
19 years of age	95	105
20 to 29 years of age	100	110
30 years of age	95	105
31 years of age	90	99
32 years of age	85	94
33 years of age	80	88
34 years of age	75	83
35 years of age	70	77
36 years of age	65	72
37 years of age	60	66
38 years of age	55	61
39 years of age	50	55
40 years of age	45	50
41 years of age	35	39
42 years of age	25	28
43 years of age	15	17
44 years of age	5	6
45 years of age or more	0	0

 

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How to improve your chances of securing an ITA without a provincial nomination?

Here are some ways through which you can increase your chances of getting an ITA even without a provincial nomination:

• Boost your language proficiency:  Strong English proficiency can increase your CRS scores. You can get up to 136 points if you score a CLB 9 or 10 in IELTS.
• Completing and improving your ECAs: You can increase your CRS scores by getting your foreign educational credentials verified and by pursuing additional education, such as a higher degree.
• Getting work experience: Having work experience (both foreign and Canadian) can improve your CRS scores, bringing you up to 50 additional points under skill transferability.
• Additional points through spouse: If your spouse applies with you, you can increase your CRS scores. You can get up to 40 additional points through the spouse factor in categories like Education, language proficiency, Canadian work experience, etc.
• Additional factors (Siblings in Canada, French language proficiency, Canadian education): Candidates with siblings living in Canada, or those with French language proficiency, and those who have completed their higher education in Canada can get up to 15-50 points under additional factors.
   

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Frequently Asked Questions:
 

1. Can I receive an ITA through Express Entry if I am over 40 without a provincial nomination?

Yes, you can get an ITA through Express Entry without a provincial nomination if you are over 40, but the process can be complicated. Age is crucial in the CRS points calculator that the Express Entry program uses to assess applicants. Maximum points are awarded to candidates within 20 to 29 years of age, after which the points decrease with every passing year. While those in their 40s cannot get any points for the age factor, they can still increase their points by focusing on other factors like language proficiency, gaining work experience, completing their ECA, etc.
 

2. How does age affect CRS points in Express Entry?

Age is a very important factor in the CRS points calculator used for the Express Entry program. A maximum of 110 points is awarded for the age factor if you are between 20 and 29 and are applying without a spouse. Points awarded in the CRS points calculator keep reducing by 5 points as you cross the age of 29. While applicants over 29 can still qualify, they will be required to score points in other factors, as the points given for “age” decrease until 45.
 

3. What are the best ways to increase CRS without a PNP?

You can increase your CRS even without a PNP by focusing on the Core Human Capital Factors, Skills Transferability, and Adaptability Factors. Some of the best ways to increase your CRS score are improving your language proficiency scores, getting skilled work experience, obtaining a valid Canadian job offer, and pursuing higher education.
 

4. Do category-based Express Entry draws help older candidates?

Yes, category-based Express Entry draws tend to help older candidates by setting low CRS scores compared to regular Express Entry Draws. Category-based Express Entry Draws generally focus on and prioritize high-demand occupations such as French language skills. This process mostly focuses on specific skills, giving older applicants a chance of getting selected in the draw.
 

5. How much can a valid job offer add to my CRS score?

As per the latest update on March 25, 2025, Express Entry applicants with a valid job offer can no longer get additional CRS points. Before this update, applicants could get up to 200 bonus points for having a valid job offer in Canada.
 

6. Will Canadian work or study experience improve my chances?

Canadian work or study experience can improve your chances of getting permanent residency. Work or study experience in Canada can improve your CRS points, directly impacting your chances of getting an ITA. You can apply for a Post-Graduation work permit (PGWP) if you have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This can give you the relevant Canadian work experience along with study experience.
 

7. Can my spouse or partner help increase our CRS score?

Yes, your spouse or partner can help increase your CRS score. While having a spouse or partner apply with you can negatively affect your CRS scores in the human capital factors, it can help increase your CRS score through the Spouse / Common-law partner factors.
 

8. Is a provincial nomination the only realistic route over age 40?

No, a provincial nomination is not the only route or pathway to getting Canada PR for people over 40. You can also explore other immigration pathways, such as the federal pilot programs, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), and the Family Sponsorship pathway.
 

9. Do I need proof of funds if I do not have a Canadian job offer?

Yes, most Canadian immigration applications require you to have sufficient proof of funds even without a Canadian job offer. The only exception is when you are applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, wherein you do not need proof of funds, but would be required to submit an official letter to the government of Canada explaining your eligibility under the CEC program. Immigration pathways such as the Quebec Nominee Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program also do not require you to have proof of funds.
 

10. How do I calculate my CRS accurately?

The best way to calculate your CRS accurately is by using the official CRS Tool provided on the Canadian website.  You will be given points based on age, language proficiency, work experience, education, spousal factors, etc. The CRS tool assesses candidates in the Core Human Capital factors, Spouse factors, Skill Transferability factors, and Additional Points. You can also calculate your CRS score using the Y-Axis CRS point calculator, which gives you a score within seconds.
 

11. What documents should I prepare early to improve timelines?

The list of documents that you should be prepared with to improve your timeline and speed up the process in the Express Entry system is as follows:

• Proof of identity
• Passport
• Language proficiency test results (IELTS, CELPIP)
• ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)
• Proof of funds
• Proof of work experience
• Criminal clearance certificate
• Medical test results

12. How can Y-Axis support candidates over 40 aiming for an ITA?

At Y-Axis, we have experienced immigration consultants and counsellors who can help candidates over 40 aiming for an ITA. Some of the services we can offer to help candidates increase their CRS scores are:

• CRS points assessment: Our experts can guide you through the CRS points assessment process and suggest ways to improve your CRS score despite your age factor.   
• Y-Axis coaching services: We offer dedicated IELTS and CELPIP language services to help you improve your English language test results.
• ECA: We will orient you about the ECA, verify your credentials, and suggest pursuing further education in Canada to boost your CRS scores.
• Work experience: Our experts will guide you on how to score points in the CRS tool for Canadian and foreign work experience by focusing on the skill transferability factor.