Borderline CRS and 30+ age scenarios for Express Entry profile - India

[croc007]

Hello guys. My CRS is turning out to be 465 with below calculation:
Age -32, Single
Highest level of education - Master's degree from India (ECA as Master's 2 years, full time)
Canadian degree - None
IELTS - top bands (assumption)
Other language - No
Canadian work ex. - None
Foreign work ex. - 3 years+ (since i am working in India post my master's, NOC code A 2171)
Everything else - No (Canadian job offer, relatives, PNP, etc.)

Now my question is -
1) I plan to do a graduate certificate of one year in Canada (example - project management). Then would i still select Highest level of education as my Master's degree from India AND Canadian degree as - Yes and (one- or two- year diploma or certificate)? In this case my CRS becomes 474 (age would be 33), which is still border line.
2) However, if i work for a year post my graduate certificate using PGWP then my CRS becomes 509 after selecting skilled work ex in Canada as 1 year (my age would be 34). Are graduate certificates good enough for pursuing job opportunities in NOC 0, A? I hope CRS of 509 at age 34 would receive an ITA.

 

[Naturgrl]

You have completed a masters so why do you need to do a one year PM certificate in Canada? Why can’t you do it your home country? How will it benefit your career in your home country? PM certificates are offered everywhere. That is what the visa officer will ask.

 

[croc007]

You have completed a masters so why do you need to do a one year PM certificate in Canada? Why can’t you do it your home country? How will it benefit your career in your home country? PM certificates are offered everywhere. That is what the visa officer will ask.

Thanks for asking. I was prepared for such a question.
And my answer is along the lines of how my masters is that of a general management and how i realized after 3 years work ex i need a more specialization course to build upon my master's and how it will help once i go back to my country after finishing this course.
As to why only Canada - I am still working on that but something along the lines of choosing US over Canada to experience international study but how Canada is more cost effective. Would love to have some pointers here.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks for asking. I was prepared for such a question.
And my answer is along the lines of how my masters is that of a general management and how i realized after 3 years work ex i need a more specialization course to build upon my master's and how it will help once i go back to my country after finishing this course.
As to why only Canada - I am still working on that but something along the lines of choosing US over Canada to experience international study but how Canada is more cost effective. Would love to have some pointers here.

But is it offered in your home country? Will you have a job offer? You have a masters so doing a certificate may seem like a step down. Visa officers will know your intent of wanting PR since you are over 30.

With your current score of 465, get your masters assessed and take the language test. Submit a profile for express entry. Will scores come down...you never know.

 

[croc007]

But is it offered in your home country? Will you have a job offer? You have a masters so doing a certificate may seem like a step down. Visa officers will know your intent of wanting PR since you are over 30.

With your current score of 465, get your masters assessed and take the language test. Submit a profile for express entry. Will scores come down...you never know.

Oh yes, i am creating a profile with a score of 465 anyway hoping to get lucky.
As for the other visa questions - i can explain the value of western education in job opportunities in India, parents going to retire in a couple of months and need to take care of them back home, manage properties back home, getting married, etc.

In a nutshell, i have still not finalized on getting graduate certificate unless it is of value and whether it actually helps in getting the PR, which is what i am trying to find out.

 

[seadrag0n]

A lot people with low scores and who are 30+ are applying for PG diploma in the hopes of raising their CRS score, I have seen 40 something people applying for 1 year PG diploma course along with their spouse and kids, ridiculous TBH. It will be very difficult to get a study permit with your profile, you should look into that first or just learn French.

 

[scylla]

Hello guys. My CRS is turning out to be 465 with below calculation:
Age -32, Single
Highest level of education - Master's degree from India (ECA as Master's 2 years, full time)
Canadian degree - None
IELTS - top bands (assumption)
Other language - No
Canadian work ex. - None
Foreign work ex. - 3 years+ (since i am working in India post my master's, NOC code A 2171)
Everything else - No (Canadian job offer, relatives, PNP, etc.)

Now my question is -
1) I plan to do a graduate certificate of one year in Canada (example - project management). Then would i still select Highest level of education as my Master's degree from India AND Canadian degree as - Yes and (one- or two- year diploma or certificate)? In this case my CRS becomes 474 (age would be 33), which is still border line.
2) However, if i work for a year post my graduate certificate using PGWP then my CRS becomes 509 after selecting skilled work ex in Canada as 1 year (my age would be 34). Are graduate certificates good enough for pursuing job opportunities in NOC 0, A? I hope CRS of 509 at age 34 would receive an ITA.

If you want to come to Canada to study in order to become a PR, go for a 2 year program not a 1 year program. A 1 year program is a poor choice if your aim is to become a PR. A 1 year program will only get you a 1 year PGWP. A 2 year program will get you a 3 year PGWP. With only a 1 year PGWP, we see many people here struggle to find a job and get one full year of skilled work experience in Canada before their work permit expires. That's my advice. Good luck.

 

[croc007]

A lot people with low scores and who are 30+ are applying for PG diploma in the hopes of raising their CRS score, I have seen 40 something people applying for 1 year PG diploma course along with their spouse and kids, ridiculous TBH. It will be very difficult to get a study permit with your profile, you should look into that first or just learn French.

Yes, age is a matter of concern. Bottom line is if you are over 30 years of age, you might start dropping your dreams of coming to Canada. I wish this dawned on me a lot earlier as i had spent considerable amount of time researching over the internet on ways to increase CRS scores.
Hope other people who are 30+ learn something here and proceed with caution.

 

[croc007]

If you want to come to Canada to study in order to become a PR, go for a 2 year program not a 1 year program. A 1 year program is a poor choice if your aim is to become a PR. A 1 year program will only get you a 1 year PGWP. A 2 year program will get you a 3 year PGWP. With only a 1 year PGWP, we see many people here struggle to find a job and get one full year of skilled work experience in Canada before their work permit expires. That's my advice. Good luck.

Completely agree with you about the part of struggling to find a job and trying to get a year of skilled work experience. A 2 year program was on my mind but after a lot of research i figured getting a study permit at age 32 would be difficult and there are chances of rejection. So i may drop any idea of Canadian education altogether and hope to get lucky with my current CRS of 465.

 

[scylla]

Completely agree with you about the part of struggling to find a job and trying to get a year of skilled work experience. A 2 year program was on my mind but after a lot of research i figured getting a study permit at age 32 would be difficult and there are chances of rejection. So i may drop any idea of Canadian education altogether and hope to get lucky with my current CRS of 465.

We see people approved for study permits at older ages You just have to make sure your planned studies in Canada make sense in light of your previous education and work experience. In your case, taking a master's in Canada at a reputable school would make for a strong profile and I think you would certainly have some chance of getting a study permit approved. The downside of course is that master's programs aren't cheap.