Immigration Corner | 42-year-old wants to relocate to Canada

Dear Miss Powell,

I am 42 years old with a master’s degree. I am interested in living in Canada. I have an aunt and her family living in Nova Scotia who are willing to help me. Can you tell me how I can qualify to live in Canada? What are my chances of qualifying? Thank you for your help.

KS

Dear KS,

Canada offers several programmes that individuals can pursue to obtain permanent residency. Your chances of success depend on factors such as work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. While having an aunt in Nova Scotia may provide indirect support, it is unlikely to offer a direct sponsorship route, since she has other family members living with her in Canada. However, there are still strong alternative pathways to achieving permanent residency and I will outline the top three below.

EXPRESS ENTRY

One of the most accessible pathways to permanent residence is through the Express Entry system, particularly via the Federal Skilled Worker Programme. Express Entry operates on a points-based system, ranking candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and more. While being 42 may result in fewer points for age, holding a master’s degree provides a significant boost to your Comprehensive Ranking System score.

The first step is to achieve a high score on an approved English or French language test, such as the International English Language Testing System, General Training, or the Test d’Évaluation de Français, to maximise your chances. Next, if you obtained your master’s degree outside Canada, you would need to secure an Educational Credential Assessment report from an authorised organisation, such as World Education Services, or the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada.

PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMME

Since you are over 40 years old, you should obtain a nomination under the Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP), which can provide an extra 600 points, thereby guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Since you have a relative in Nova Scotia, you should apply under the Nova Scotia Nominee Programme (NSNP), provided that you qualify for one of the programmes that are open. The NSNP allows the province to select individuals who have skills that match labour market needs.

Your work experience must fall within an in-demand occupation or qualifies for one of the NSNP streams. Nova Scotia also has Express Entry-linked streams which often prioritise skilled workers in certain industries, especially if you have a job offer from an approved company with a Labour Market Impact Assessment report.

ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION PROGRAMME

Another potential route is the Atlantic Immigration Programme (AIP), designed to help skilled workers settle in Canada’s Atlantic provinces, including Nova Scotia. Unlike the Express Entry System, the AIP does not operate on a points-based system, but instead, requires a valid job offer from a designated employer in the region.

If you secure employment in Nova Scotia, you may be eligible for a streamlined pathway to permanent residency through the AIP. As participating employers are officially designated by the province, networking and applying directly to Nova Scotia-based employers will be essential to your strategy.

While family sponsorship is generally limited to spouses, children, parents, and grandparents, having an aunt in Nova Scotia can still be advantageous. If she has other relatives in Canada, this may further strengthen your connection. Additionally, she could offer valuable support with job searching and settling into the local community.

With careful planning and the right approach, immigrating to Canada remains a realistic possibility, regardless of your age. Consulting a Canadian immigration lawyer is highly recommended for tailored advice and guidance.

Deidre S. Powell is a Canadian lawyer, mediator and notary public. You may connect with her via Facebook and Instagram or via telephone or WhatsApp 613-695-8777.