Is there an age limit for Express Entry?

Anybody above 18 years of age can apply for the Canada Express Entry program. You must be at least 18 years old to qualify for the Express Entry. However, there is no maximum age limit for the Express Entry program. The ideal age group to apply for Canada Express Entry is 20-29 years, as they tend to receive maximum CRS points. Candidates aged above 30 years can also apply for the Express Entry program. However, the points allotted for the age criteria will keep decreasing with increasing age. The CRS score calculator assesses candidates based on age, language proficiency, work experience, education, adaptability, and arranged employment. You can score a maximum of 12 points for the age factor.

 

*Want to check your eligibility to Canada? Try the FREE Y-Axis Canada points calculator and get an instant score!

 

How does age affect my overall CRS score?

Age is one of the scoring factors for becoming eligible to apply for Canada PR through the Express Entry program. Candidates over 29 may not receive the maximum of 100 points. IRCC decreases 5 points for each year after the age of 29; those applying for the Express Entry program from 30 years onwards will have 5 points deducted from the maximum score.

 

For example:

• Applicants between 20-29 can get 110 points with a spouse and 105 without a spouse.
• Applicants aged 30 can get 95 points with a spouse and 105 without a spouse.
• Applicants aged 31 can get 90 points with a spouse and 99 without a spouse.

 

 You can refer to the table below to get a better understanding of the CRS points allotted as per the applicant’s age:

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

 

*To know if you can apply for the Express Entry at 50, also read…

Can I apply for Express Entry at 50?

 

How can I improve my CRS score?

You can score a maximum of 100 points if you fall under the 20-29 age group. The CRS points for the age factor keep reducing by 5 points each year after the age of 29 years. You can still apply for the Express Entry program if you are over 29 years of age but may not receive maximum points. Fortunately, CRS allots points based on six selection factors, allowing you to maximize your CRS score through the other scoring criteria.

 

Apart from the age factors, here are five selection factors through which you can improve your CRS score:

 

• Educational qualifications
• Language proficiency
• Work experience 
• Adaptability
• Arranged employment

 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Canada Immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end assistance!