The Express Entry system scores applicants with their spouses differently from single applicants. Meaning applying for Express Entry with your spouse will bring different results than applying for a single entry. The Express Entry system manages 3 federal economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Applicants submit their profiles into the Express Entry system and are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS assesses an applicant’s profile based on various factors including age, education level, language proficiency, work experience, etc. The CRS is applied to both single and married applicants, however, the way they are scored is different.
What Is the Difference In the Ranking of Married And Single Applicants?
Married couples can receive fewer points or gain points because of their partner. The CRS considers both spouses and common-law partners. However, every application must have a Primary Applicant (PA). The PA is the primary individual whose profile will be evaluated and ranked. The PA can include their accompanying spouse or dependent children on their application. As a couple, only one person can be the PA.
Therefore, to ensure a better rank, it is important to evaluate the eligibility of both partners as it is highly unlikely that they will have the same rank. The partner with the higher CRS score must be the PA.
The CRS scoring system is a little different for single applicants and married applicants. The scoring system allows married PAs to lose up to 40 points for various factors relating to their partner, while also allowing them to earn 40 points through their partner.
For example, Kevan and Alia are married. Kavan is 29, has Canadian post-secondary education, a level 8 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) and 5 years of cumulative work experience with 4 years in Canada and 1 in abroad.
Alia also has a post-secondary degree from abroad, a level 7 on the CLB and 8 years of work experience, out of which 6 were in Canada. While both of them have impressive profiles, Kavan will be ranked higher because of his superior language skills and younger age. This means that Kavan should be the PA.
