Is Your Partner the Better Principal Applicant for Canadian PR?

Choosing the right principal applicant for Express Entry can significantly improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR). The Express Entry system ranks candidates based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, which take into account factors like age, education, language skills, work experience, and ties to Canada.

If you and your spouse are both eligible for Express Entry, it’s crucial to select the partner with the higher chances of success. Here's what you should know:

Understanding Principal vs. Secondary Applicant for Express Entry

When applying as a couple, both partners' qualifications can influence the CRS score. However, the principal applicant carries more weight. Points are awarded for the principal applicant’s age, foreign work experience, and any French language skills. This makes the choice of the principal applicant crucial for maximizing your overall score.

Additionally, the principal applicant must be the first to land in Canada. If you anticipate a staggered arrival, this could influence your decision on who takes the lead.

To make the best decision, calculate CRS points for each partner, and consider any upcoming category-based draws that may favor one partner’s skills over the other. Don't assume the stronger profile is yours; your partner's language skills, education, or specialized work experience might be the key to a higher CRS score.

Can Both Partners Have Separate Express Entry Profiles?

While an individual can only have one active Express Entry profile, each partner can create their own separate profiles. The one who gets an ITA first can proceed with the application.

Below are some examples to illustrate how choosing the right principal applicant can make a difference.

Example 1: Hamid and Nadia’s Story

Hamid (32) and Nadia (28) from Lebanon want to move to Canada. Both have master's degrees and strong English skills, but Hamid has more years of work experience in banking. Despite this, Nadia’s age gives her a higher CRS score:

Outcome: Nadia scores higher due to her younger age, making her the better choice for the principal applicant.

Example 2: Martin and Jeanne’s Decision

Martin and Jeanne from Cameroon are planning to apply for Canadian PR. Martin has a higher degree and more management experience, but Jeanne’s French language skills provide a valuable advantage:

Outcome: Despite Martin’s higher degree, Jeanne’s French skills boost her CRS score, making her a stronger candidate.

Example 3: Sam and Alex’s Case

Sam and Alex from New Zealand are also potential candidates for Canadian PR. Sam’s advanced education and work experience give her a higher CRS score, despite Alex’s background in a high-demand occupation.

Outcome: Sam’s advanced qualifications give her the edge, but Alex’s role in healthcare could be beneficial in category-based draws, such as the recent healthcare selection draw with a cutoff score of 445. If they had applied earlier, Alex could have been the better choice due to this factor.

Final Thoughts

Deciding who should be the principal applicant isn’t just about having the most impressive resume—it's about optimizing your CRS score. Each partner’s strengths, including age, language skills, education, and work experience, can impact your chance of success. Always calculate the CRS score for both partners and keep an eye on category-specific draws that may favor particular skills.