If you’re applying for Canadian permanent residency through the Express Entry system with your partner, you may want to consider who should be the principal applicant. This choice could significantly influence your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) by maximizing your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Understanding Express Entry and CRS Scores
Canada’s Express Entry system ranks applicants based on CRS scores, selecting those with the highest scores to receive an ITA for permanent residency. The CRS score is calculated based on multiple factors, including:
- Age
- Education level
- Language skills (English and French)
- Work experience
- Family ties in Canada
The higher the combined score from these factors, the stronger your chance of getting an ITA. When applying as a couple, the primary applicant’s profile carries the most weight, so deciding who takes on this role can make a big difference.
Principal Applicant vs. Secondary Applicant: Key Differences
In Express Entry, one spouse or partner takes the role of the principal applicant, while the other is the secondary applicant. The principal applicant’s profile is evaluated for most CRS points, including:
Age: Younger applicants generally score higher, which could benefit couples where one partner is younger.
Foreign Work Experience: Only the principal applicant can earn CRS points for international work experience outside Canada, which might be advantageous if one partner has a stronger work history.
French Language Proficiency: Additional points are available if the principal applicant has proficiency in French, even if it’s a secondary language. This can increase the overall CRS score considerably.
On the other hand, the secondary applicant also contributes points based on their education, language skills, and Canadian work experience (if any), though the principal applicant’s qualifications remain central to the CRS score calculation.
Tips to Decide the Principal Applicant
If you and your partner both qualify for Express Entry, it’s wise to determine who would be the stronger principal applicant. Here are some factors to help you decide:
Calculate Both CRS Scores: Using an online CRS calculator, input each partner’s details as the principal applicant to see who earns the higher score. This way, you can make an informed decision on who should apply as the primary applicant.
Consider the Possibility of Category-Based Draws: Canada occasionally holds Express Entry draws based on specific eligibility categories, such as work experience in healthcare, technology, or education. If one partner’s skills and experience align with in-demand categories, they may stand a better chance as the principal applicant.
Landing Requirements: The principal applicant must be the first to land in Canada, followed by the secondary applicant, either at the same time or afterward. If one partner needs to arrive in Canada before the other, this requirement may also impact your choice of who should be the principal applicant.
Why Changing the Principal Applicant Might Increase Your Score
CRS scores weigh some factors more heavily than others, and in some cases, selecting a different principal applicant could give you a significant advantage. Here’s how:
Age Advantage: If one partner is younger and thus eligible for higher points, they might be the better choice as the principal applicant.
Language Skills: Strong language proficiency, especially in both English and French, can lead to more points for the principal applicant. Even a moderate proficiency in French can boost the CRS score.
Foreign Work Experience: If one partner has extensive work experience outside Canada, making them the principal applicant can maximize the score.
Maximizing CRS Points as a Couple
When planning to apply for Canadian PR as a couple, it's essential to assess both profiles with an open mind. A few points difference in CRS scores can be the deciding factor for an ITA, especially in competitive draws. Some tools and resources can help you calculate each partner’s CRS score quickly and see who fares better as the principal applicant.
Also, pay attention to Canada’s category-based draws if your profile matches an in-demand occupation. Knowing the most up-to-date immigration trends can also help refine your strategy and increase your likelihood of getting selected.
Choosing the right principal applicant can improve your chances of receiving an ITA for Canadian permanent residency. By carefully evaluating CRS scores, foreign work experience, and language skills, you and your partner can make the most strategic choice for your Express Entry application. Also, if one partner plans to land in Canada before the other, be sure to consider this requirement when deciding who will be the primary applicant.
