Immigrate to Canada After 40 Without a PNP: Express Entry Tips

How to Get Canadian Permanent Residence Through Express Entry After Age 40 — Even Without a PNP

Thinking about immigrating to Canada but worried your age might be a roadblock? Good news — even if you’re over 40 and don’t have a provincial nomination, you can still receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

In fact, many candidates aged 40+ have successfully received ITAs through either the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or one of the newer category-based draws. If your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is strong enough, your age won’t hold you back.

Let’s explore how it works, share some real-world-inspired examples, and offer tips on how you can boost your CRS score — no matter your age.

Key Highlights

• Express Entry is still accessible for candidates aged 40 and over, even without a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
• CEC and category-based draws offer strong pathways to permanent residence.
• Fictional profiles show that high CRS scores are possible after age 40.
• Improving education, language skills, or Canadian work experience can significantly boost your CRS.
• Category-based draws often have lower CRS cut-offs than CEC draws.
• Spouses can impact your CRS score — consider who should be the main applicant.

Understanding CRS Cut-Off Scores

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds regular Express Entry draws, inviting candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. The CRS cut-off score for each draw depends on:

• The number of candidates in the Express Entry pool
• The specific type of draw (CEC or category-based)
• The number of ITAs being issued

For example, if IRCC holds a draw for 1,000 healthcare professionals, the CRS score of the 1,000th candidate becomes the cut-off score. If multiple candidates have the same CRS, the tie-breaker is the date their profile was submitted.

CRS Score Ranges in 2025 Draws

Here’s a quick look at CRS cut-off scores in various 2025 draws:

Over 40? Real-Life-Inspired Profiles That Got an ITA

Example 1: Lizan (CEC and French-Language Draws)

Lizan is 44, single, and from the Philippines. He earned a master’s degree in Canada, worked here for three years as a data analyst, and speaks both English and French fluently.

Despite being over 40, his strong education, language skills, and Canadian work experience helped him reach a CRS score of 530 — high enough for five CEC draws and all four French-language draws in 2025.

Example 2: Abisola (CEC Draws with a Spouse)

Abisola, 40, from Nigeria, holds a PhD and worked in Canada as a librarian for four years. Her husband, Tunde, is 43, and they chose Abisola as the primary applicant due to her higher qualifications.

With exceptional English, some French, and a sister living in New Brunswick, Abisola scored 530 — easily meeting the cut-off for five CEC draws this year.

Example 3: Krishiv (Healthcare Category-Based Draw)

At 50, Krishiv from India may seem an unlikely Express Entry candidate. But he’s worked in Canada for five years as a medical radiation technologist, has a Canadian PhD, and reasonable French skills.

His CRS score of 484 would have qualified him for August’s healthcare draw, where the cut-off was 475.

Example 4: Adele (French-Language Category-Based Draw)

Adele, 60, from Belgium, has over 20 years of HR experience and strong French language skills. Though she has no Canadian experience, her language and education profile gave her a CRS of 426 — enough to qualify in two of this year’s French-language draws.

Immigrating with a Spouse? Plan Carefully

When applying as a couple, be strategic. Calculate each partner’s CRS score as the primary applicant — sometimes the younger spouse or the one with stronger language skills will score better.

In some cases, it might make sense to submit two Express Entry profiles. If both profiles receive an ITA, you can move forward with just one application, and both of you will still receive permanent residence.

And don’t forget — even if your partner isn’t accompanying you to Canada, they still need to be listed in your application.

Boosting Your CRS Score After Age 40

Age does impact your CRS score, but there are many ways to make up for those lost points:

1. Education

Completing a Canadian post-secondary credential can significantly increase your score. For example, Reginald boosted his score from 496 to 536 by earning a three-year Canadian bachelor’s degree. That 40-point jump made all the difference in qualifying for recent draws.

2. Language Proficiency

Language scores can contribute up to 310 points. Improving your CLB (English) or NCLC (French) proficiency can help you get over the cut-off line.

Amelia, for example, increased her score from 460 to 518 just by improving her French from NCLC 6 to NCLC 7. That small change made her eligible for multiple draws.

3. Work Experience

Both Canadian and foreign work experience matter — but Canadian experience tends to carry more weight.

Take Diego. With no Canadian work experience, his CRS was just 452. After gaining one year of work experience in Canada, his score rose to 481 — enough to qualify for two healthcare-based draws in 2025.

Do You Qualify for Category-Based Selection?

Category-based draws are often easier to qualify for than general CEC draws. These draws target candidates in specific professions or with French-language skills.

To qualify, you must:

• Have at least NCLC 7 in all four French abilities for French-language draws
• Have at least six months of continuous work experience in a qualifying occupation within the past three years

Examples of qualifying jobs include cooks, pharmacy assistants, and secondary school teachers. The federal government has already issued over 28,600 ITAs through category-based selection in 2025.

Final Thoughts

Age is just a number — and when it comes to Canada’s Express Entry system, it doesn’t have to be a barrier to your immigration journey. Whether you’re 40, 50, or even 60, there are viable pathways to permanent residence if you play your cards right.

Start by calculating your CRS score, identifying areas for improvement, and determining whether you qualify for category-based selection. And remember — language skills, Canadian experience, and education can all give you a competitive edge.

Ready to see where you stand?

See your CRS score and eligibility for category-based draws

And if you’re considering a provincial program, don’t forget to check out our Manitoba PNP calculator to explore additional options!