Canadian Master's Degree at a mature age for Experience Class Entry Process

[Optimisticshift]

I am in IT profession for the last 14 years with a Bachelor degree in computer science. My main interests are data networks and telecommunication. Now planning to attend a Canadian university in order to earn my master’s degree. (I'm looking at programs in IT and Management).

I am already 50 years old with a long experience on different positions. Would it be easier to find a job when I complete a Canadian master’s degree in a field of technology or management?

The objective is Post Graduate Work Permit and ultimately Canadian Experience Class Process for Immigration after completing Canadian master’s degree and having Post Graduate Work Permit.

I would highly appreciate replies and suggestions.

 

[scylla]

It's hard for any of us to say if you will find a job in your field after completing a Master's in Canada. If you want to try this route, make sure you take at least a two year program so that you qualify for a three year post graduate work permit.

Have you calculated how many points you will have once you complete a Master's in Canada and have a year of Canadian work experience? Given your age, it's quite possible this may still not be anywhere near enough to be selected through CEC.

Note that getting a job in Canada after a Master's will not earn you job offer points. To get job offer points your employer would need to obtain an approved LMIA (it's extremely difficult to find employers willing to go through this process). So when you calculate the points you think you'll have in the future, make sure you do not include points for a job offer.

 

[aircanada]

At 50 it might be difficult to get through Express Entry without provincial nomination or LMIA. However, Ontario for example has master/phd grad provincial nomination program that goes through a paper based stream and there's no points system and no age job etc factor. That can be an option.

Currently a single 50 year old with good english, a canadian masters degree and one year of canadian experience with 3+ years foreign experience gets 441 points. That's not horrible. The good thing is age penalty evens out after 45.

 

[Optimisticshift]

Thank you very much guys, I really appreciate your response. That has given me more insight into the process. I am encouraged that I still have a few options open.
I have a few concern that in Canadian education system whether I will fit in at this age, and how would I be received in the job market after having done a Canadian masters.

@scylla mentioned that after two years of education I will be eligible for three year work permit. Does that mean I would have three years to work in Canada and after the first year I would be eligible to file PNP or express entry??

@aircanada my spouse also has a bachelor's degree and I hope we both can do good at IELTS test with a little preparation. Would that improve my overall score of 441 points?

Thanks

 

[scylla]

@scylla mentioned that after two years of education I will be eligible for three year work permit. Does that mean I would have three years to work in Canada and after the first year I would be eligible to file PNP or express entry??

Thanks

This doesn't necessarily mean that you would be eligible for PNP or CEC after a year. It would depend if and what kind of job you are able to secure after you graduate to meet the immigration program requirements. That's why a three year PGWP is the best option. It gives you more time to work in Canada. Those with only one year PGWP often find they don't find a job fast enough to get a year of work experience in Canada before their PGWP runs out.

 

[limin_w]

Thank you very much guys, I really appreciate your response. That has given me more insight into the process. I am encouraged that I still have a few options open.
I have a few concern that in Canadian education system whether I will fit in at this age, and how would I be received in the job market after having done a Canadian masters.

@scylla mentioned that after two years of education I will be eligible for three year work permit. Does that mean I would have three years to work in Canada and after the first year I would be eligible to file PNP or express entry??

@aircanada my spouse also has a bachelor's degree and I hope we both can do good at IELTS test with a little preparation. Would that improve my overall score of 441 points?

Thanks

Gotta say I love your name and admire the initiative!

You may review the CRS (comprehensive ranking system) criteria here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/become-candidate/criteria-comprehensive-ranking-system/grid.html This gives you an idea of how the points system work.

As you can see, with an age of 45 or more, you get 0 point out of 100 points for age. The ranking system negatively discriminates older people. However, you can boost your score by maxing out your IELTS and having two years of Canadian work experience.

Re PGWP, you get 3 yrs to work after you graduate (assuming your Master's program is two years or longer). You only need 1 yr of qualifying Canadian work experience to be eligible for Canadian Experience Class. And as I mentioned above, having 2 yrs of Canadian work exp can boost your score. You can get a bonus 50 points by having the combination of 3 yr+ foreign work exp AND 2 yr+ Canadian work exp.

Furthermore, with your experience level, you might be able to convince your employer to obtain a LMIA for you, which grants you 50 additional points.

Now with the above mentioned 2 bonuses totaling 100 points, you now have made up of the age points you lost. And as other folks have mentioned, Ontario has provincial nomination program that allows Master and PhD graduates to immigrate without going through the ranking system (though the wait is much longer and provincial nomination program is more volatile to changes than federal express entry).

Good luck!

 

[aircanada]

Thank you very much guys, I really appreciate your response. That has given me more insight into the process. I am encouraged that I still have a few options open.
I have a few concern that in Canadian education system whether I will fit in at this age, and how would I be received in the job market after having done a Canadian masters.

@scylla mentioned that after two years of education I will be eligible for three year work permit. Does that mean I would have three years to work in Canada and after the first year I would be eligible to file PNP or express entry??

@aircanada my spouse also has a bachelor's degree and I hope we both can do good at IELTS test with a little preparation. Would that improve my overall score of 441 points?

Thanks

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp
The calculator is here. You should play with this instead of speculating. Having a spouse with good English brings the score up to 447 from 441. But also while you're a full time student your spouse can work. If they find skilled work and work for a year or more then that experience in Canada gives your family unit additional points.

 

[Optimisticshift]

Thanks everyone. I am searching for universities in Ontario to benefit from both Ontario provincial nomination program and express entry later on.

 

[aircanada]

Thanks everyone. I am searching for universities in Ontario to benefit from both Ontario provincial nomination program and express entry later on.

Doesn't have to be Ontario. Check out other provinces to see what their conditions are for provincial nomination. More options.