Key takeaways
- CRS gives the most age points between 20 and 29: 110 without a spouse, 100 with one
- Points start to drop at 30 and reach 0 at 45
- You lose about 5 to 11 CRS points each birthday after 30
- The FSW 67-point test gives 12 age points from 18 to 35, then 1 less each year to 0 at 47
- Your age is counted on the day IRCC receives your profile and again when you apply
How age points work in Express Entry
Express Entry uses two point systems. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks you against other candidates out of 1,200 points. The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) grid is a pass or fail test out of 100: you need at least 67 points to enter the pool through the FSW program.
Age counts in both. In the CRS, age can give you up to 110 points, more than any other single factor except language and a provincial nomination.
CRS age points by age
These are IRCC’s current CRS age points for the principal applicant.
| Age | Without spouse | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 17 or under | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | 99 | 90 |
| 19 | 105 | 95 |
| 20 to 29 | 110 | 100 |
| 30 | 105 | 95 |
| 31 | 99 | 90 |
| 32 | 94 | 85 |
| 33 | 88 | 80 |
| 34 | 83 | 75 |
| 35 | 77 | 70 |
| 36 | 72 | 65 |
| 37 | 66 | 60 |
| 38 | 61 | 55 |
| 39 | 55 | 50 |
| 40 | 50 | 45 |
| 41 | 39 | 35 |
| 42 | 28 | 25 |
| 43 | 17 | 15 |
| 44 | 6 | 5 |
| 45 or over | 0 | 0 |
FSW age points (the 67-point test)
If you apply through the Federal Skilled Worker program, you also need 67 points on a separate 100-point grid. Age gives up to 12 points:
- 18 to 35: 12 points
- 36: 11 points, then 1 point less each year
- 46: 1 point
- 47 or over: 0 points
This grid only decides if you can enter the pool. Your rank in the pool comes from your CRS score.
What happens on your birthday
Your CRS score updates when your age changes. After 30, each birthday costs you points. If your profile is in the pool and your birthday comes before a draw, your score drops on that day.
If you receive an invitation to apply (ITA), IRCC uses your age on the day you were invited. Turning older after the invitation does not reduce the score you were invited with.
How to make up lost age points
You cannot change your age, but you can raise other parts of your score:
- Retake your language test. Moving from CLB 9 to CLB 10 in each skill can add many points.
- Add a second official language. French at NCLC 7 or higher can add up to 50 extra points.
- Gain Canadian work experience.
- Apply for a provincial nomination, which adds 600 points.
Try different scenarios in our CRS improvement simulator or the full CRS calculator.