How To Move To Canada After 40? Here’s Your Immigration Guide

Thinking about immigrating to Canada in your 40s or beyond? You might’ve heard that age can work against you—especially if you’re applying through Canada’s Express Entry system. And while that’s partly true, it’s far from the whole story.

While Canada’s immigration system does favour younger applicants, that doesn’t mean your age will hold you back. In fact, there are several programs designed for skilled professionals over 40 that don’t even factor age into the equation.

Let’s break it down.

In this guide, we’ll explore how you can make your Canadian dream a reality, even if you’re not in your twenties anymore.

Why Does Age Affect Express Entry? (But Doesn’t Define You)

Express Entry is Canada’s main immigration system for skilled workers. It uses a points system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and yes—age plays a role.

The most points are awarded to those between 20 and 29 years old. From age 30 onward, the points gradually decrease. By the time you hit 45, you no longer earn points for age.

So yes, younger candidates have an edge in Express Entry—but age alone won’t disqualify you. The good news? Many 40+ applicants still receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs), and you can still get invited if you qualify under other criteria—or if you explore alternative pathways.

Let’s look at how to do that.

1. Category-Based Express Entry Draws: A Game Changer

Canada now holds category-based draws under the Express Entry system. These are designed to attract candidates with specific skills or language abilities, and the required CRS scores are often much lower than standard draws.

As of 2025, these are the six current categories:

• French-language proficiency
  
• Healthcare occupations
  
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
  
• Skilled trades
  
• Agriculture and agri-food
  
• Education-related occupations
  

So, if you’ve worked in any of these sectors—or you speak French fluently—you could be selected even with a lower CRS score.

Try to improve your French to NCLC level 7 could open the door to a French-speaker-specific draw.

Let’s say your CRS score is in the high 300s or low 400s. That might not cut it in a general draw, but in a targeted draw for French speakers or healthcare professionals? You might be right in the zone.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): A Boost Worth 600 Points

One of the smartest strategies for older applicants is securing a Provincial Nomination.

Canada’s provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) run their own immigration streams through Provincial Nominee Programs. These programs are designed to meet local labour needs and often don’t place heavy weight on age.

If you’re nominated through an Express Entry-aligned (or enhanced) PNP stream, you’ll earn an automatic 600 CRS points. That basically guarantees you an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.

There are also base PNP streams that are completely separate from Express Entry. These programs have their own requirements and application processes—and most don’t even ask for your age. Instead, they focus on your work experience, language skills, job offer, and ties to the province.

Some provinces, like Nova Scotia or Newfoundland and Labrador, set age limits for specific streams (usually 55 to 59). But for most base streams, being over 40 doesn’t hurt your chances.

3. The Atlantic Immigration Program: Age-Free And Employer-Driven

If you’re planning to move to one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador—you should definitely look into the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

This pathway does not use a points system, and age is not a factor. Instead, you’ll need:

• A job offer from a designated employer in the region
  
• One year of work experience in the last five years
  
• Basic language proficiency (CLB 4 or 5 depending on the job)
  
• Education equivalent to Canadian standards
  
• Enough funds to support yourself and your family
  

The best part? Once your job offer is endorsed, you can also apply for a temporary work permit while your PR application is being processed.

4. Federal Pilot Programs That Welcome 40+ Applicants

Canada also offers federal pilot programs aimed at specific industries and regions. These are excellent options if you’re over 40 and meet the job or language criteria.

Here are four worth knowing:

Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

This program is for skilled workers who want to settle in one of 14 participating rural communities. You’ll need a job offer from a local employer and meet standard immigration criteria. Communities like Thunder Bay (Ontario), Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan), and Claresholm (Alberta) are on the list.

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

If you’re a French speaker willing to live outside Quebec, this program may be your best bet. It’s available in select communities in British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba. You’ll need a valid job offer and intermediate-level French (NCLC 5).

Home Care Worker Pilots: Child Care & Home Support

These two pilots allow eligible applicants to gain permanent residency as full-time caregivers. You’ll need work experience in fields like early childhood education or elder care, a relevant job offer, and meet basic education and language requirements.

So, Is It Too Late To Immigrate To Canada After 40?

Not at all.

While age affects your CRS score in Express Entry, it’s just one piece of a larger puzzle. By focusing on in-demand skills, securing a provincial nomination, improving your language abilities, or applying through age-neutral programs, your path to permanent residency remains wide open.

Final Thoughts

Immigrating to Canada after 40 isn’t just possible—it’s happening every day.

Canada values experience, education, and commitment. And with multiple immigration programs that either reduce or ignore the role of age, your dream can still become a reality.

So, don’t count yourself out. Canada isn’t.Instead, lean into your strengths, explore the right programs, and take the next step toward building your future in Canada.