Even if you’re over 40 and don’t receive a provincial nomination, it is still possible to get permanent residence (PR) through Canada’s Express Entry system.
While age does lower your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, candidates aged 40+ can still succeed in Express Entry draws, especially through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or category-based draws. With careful planning and strategic improvements in your profile, you can remain competitive and secure an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
In this article, we’ll explore how one can get PR through Express Entry after forty without PNP.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
How CRS Cut-Off Scores Are Determined?
To understand how to get PR through Express Entry after forty without PNP, you first need to know how CRS cut-off scores are set.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds periodic Express Entry draws, inviting candidates who meet or exceed a certain CRS score threshold. That threshold is determined by:
- The composition of the Express Entry pool at the time of the draw.
- The type of draw being conducted (general, program-specific, or category-based).
- The number of invitations issued in that round.
For example, in a healthcare-focused category draw, if IRCC issues 1,000 invitations, the CRS score of the 1,000th highest candidate eligible for healthcare occupations becomes the cut-off.
If multiple candidates tie at the exact CRS score of the cut-off, IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule, giving preference to those who submitted their profiles earlier.
This means that improving your CRS score, even by a small margin can make the difference between getting invited or waiting longer in the pool.
Range Of CRS Cut-Off Scores In Earlier Draws In 2025
Here’s a look at the CRS cut-off score ranges in this year’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and category-based draws:
| Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off Score Range |
| CEC | 518 – 547 |
| Healthcare and social services | 470 – 510 |
| French-language proficiency | 379 – 481 |
| Education | 479 |
So far in 2025, IRCC has prioritized three categories: healthcare and social services, French-language proficiency, and education. These ranges highlight that even candidates in their 40s can realistically qualify if they focus on the right draw type.
Immigrating With A Spouse
If you’re immigrating with your spouse or common-law partner, the strategy changes slightly.
Before creating an Express Entry profile, it’s wise to calculate CRS scores for each spouse to determine who should be the primary applicant.
- The younger spouse will receive more CRS points for age, which may make a difference.
- However, if the older spouse has stronger work experience in Canada or a qualifying occupation for category-based draws, they might be the better choice.
Some couples improve their chances by creating separate Express Entry profiles, each listing the other as an accompanying spouse. That way, whichever partner receives an ITA, both spouses can ultimately obtain PR.
This strategy only makes sense if one spouse qualifies for a specific draw type (like healthcare or French-language proficiency) where the other does not.
It’s important to note that even if your spouse does not plan to move to Canada with you immediately, they still need to be included in your immigration application.
How To Increase Your CRS Score?
Candidates over 40 inevitably lose some CRS points due to age, but there are still multiple ways to make up for it. Three key areas stand out:
- Education
- Language proficiency
- Work experience (especially Canadian work experience)
Let’s explore each in detail, with candidate examples.
Education
Education is one of the most effective levers to increase your CRS score.
| Section Of CRS | Maximum Points For Education |
| Core human capital | 150 |
| Skill transferability | 50 |
| Additional factors – post-secondary education in Canada | 30 |
In total, education can contribute up to 230 CRS points.
Language Proficiency
Language is another major area where candidates can get PR through Express Entry after forty without PNP..
| Section Of CRS | Maximum Points For Language Proficiency |
| Core human capital | 160 |
| Skill transferability | 100 (50 + 50) |
| Additional points – French | 50 |
Altogether, language skills can contribute up to 310 CRS points.
Work Experience
Work experience, particularly Canadian work experience, can also significantly impact your CRS.
| Section Of CRS | Maximum Points For Work Experience |
| Core human capital | 80 |
| Skill transferability | 100 (50 + 50) |
In total, work experience can add up to 180 CRS points.
How To Qualify For Category-Based Selection?
For candidates over 40, category-based draws are often the best route, since cut-off scores are lower than for CEC draws.
To qualify:
- French-Language Draws: You need at least NCLC 7 in all four language abilities.
- Occupation-Based Draws: You need at least six months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a qualifying occupation within the last three years.
Easier occupations to target for eligibility include:
- Cook
- Pharmacy assistant
- Secondary school teacher
Work experience must fall under a single National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.
So far in 2025, the federal government has issued 28,600 ITAs through category-based selection alone.
Final Thoughts
Being over 40 does not disqualify you from achieving permanent residence through Express Entry. While age reduces CRS points, the system offers multiple pathways to compensate, i.e., education, language proficiency, Canadian work experience, and category-based draws.
The key takeaway is that strategic improvements can boost your score enough to meet the cut-off. Whether you study further, polish your French, or gain local Canadian work experience, your profile can still be competitive.
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