Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner and Your CRS Score for Express Entry

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is crucial for individuals applying for Canadian permanent residency through the Express Entry system. For couples, understanding how their combined qualifications affect their CRS score is essential to improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Navigating this process requires strategic planning and a deep understanding of how both individual and combined credentials can impact the overall score.

This article will explore how the CRS score is calculated for couples and provide insights on how to enhance your score together. Key factors such as language proficiency, education, and work experience in Canada will be discussed. We will also compare strategies for single applicants and couples, offering tips on boosting your chances of successfully migrating to Canada via Express Entry. Pelican Migration Consultants, with their expertise, can guide you through these complexities, ensuring your path to Canadian permanent residency is as smooth as possible.

How CRS Scores Are Calculated for Couples

When applying as a couple, it’s crucial to understand how the CRS score is determined. The CRS score breakdown varies slightly for couples compared to single applicants, and knowing how to navigate these variations can significantly boost your chances of success.

Core Human Capital Factors

The core human capital factors form the basis of your CRS score. Couples can earn a maximum of 460 points, while single applicants can earn up to 500. This section evaluates key factors such as:

• Age: Couples can earn up to 100 points based on the principal applicant's age, with those between 20 and 29 receiving the highest points.
• Education: A maximum of 140 points is awarded based on the principal applicant's education. Higher degrees like master's or doctoral degrees contribute more points.
• Language Proficiency: Language skills in either English or French can yield up to 128 points. Achieving higher Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels increases your score.
• Canadian Work Experience: Up to 70 points can be earned for work experience in Canada, with longer work histories earning more points.

Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors

If you include your spouse or common-law partner in your application, additional points can be earned through spouse-specific categories. These include:

• Education: The spouse’s educational level can add up to 10 points to the CRS score.
• Language Proficiency: Your spouse’s language skills can contribute up to 20 points.
• Canadian Work Experience: If your spouse has work experience in Canada, they can add up to 10 points.

Skill Transferability Factors

Skill transferability factors can further enhance your CRS score, allowing up to 100 points regardless of whether you're applying as an individual or a couple. These factors assess the interaction between education, work experience, and language proficiency:

• Education and Work Experience: Combining your education with Canadian work experience can add up to 50 points.
• Foreign Work Experience and Language Skills: A maximum of 50 points can be earned by combining foreign work experience with strong language abilities.
• Certificate of Qualification: If you hold a certificate in a trade and have strong language proficiency, you can earn an additional 50 points.

Additional Points

Additional points can make a massive difference in your CRS score, and couples have several options to boost their score in this category. For instance:

• Provincial Nomination: Receiving a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score.
• Job Offer: A valid job offer can add between 50 to 200 points, depending on the skill level of the job.
• Canadian Education: Post-secondary education completed in Canada can earn up to 30 points.
• French Language Ability: Demonstrating proficiency in French can add between 25 to 50 points.
• Sibling in Canada: If you or your spouse have a sibling living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident, you can earn an additional 15 points.

By fully understanding how these categories contribute to your overall score, you and your spouse can create a strategy to maximize your CRS score, increasing your chances of success in the Express Entry system.

Maximizing Your CRS Score as a Couple

If you're applying as a couple through Express Entry, there are specific steps you can take to maximize your score. By focusing on areas where you can earn the most points, you and your spouse can significantly improve your chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residency.

1. Educational Enhancements

Education is a major component of the CRS score, and as a couple, you have multiple opportunities to boost points in this area:

• Both you and your spouse should obtain Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) to ensure your qualifications are recognized by Canadian authorities.
• Consider further education. Even completing short-term certifications or diploma programs can positively impact your CRS score.
• If possible, pursue education in Canada, as it offers additional points under the Express Entry system.

2. Language Skills Improvement

Language proficiency is crucial for a high CRS score. For both the principal applicant and the spouse, boosting language scores can yield substantial benefits:

• Aim to achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 9 or above, as this significantly increases points.
• Both English and French proficiency are considered, so being bilingual could add up to 50 additional points.

3. Gain Canadian Work Experience

Work experience in Canada is highly valued. If either of you is currently working in Canada, keep building your work history, as each year of experience adds points:

• The principal applicant can earn up to 70 points, while the spouse can earn up to 10.
• Even foreign work experience is valuable, so make sure all your work history is properly documented.

4. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

PNPs offer one of the fastest ways to boost your CRS score. Securing a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your total, almost guaranteeing an ITA:

• Research which provinces align with your skill sets, as different provinces prioritize different professions.
• Stay updated with PNP draws and opportunities, as they are continually changing.

5. Choose the Right Principal Applicant

It is essential to choose the partner with the strongest qualifications as the principal applicant. Sometimes, this might not be the person you initially think:

• Assess both your qualifications and see who has a better chance of scoring higher based on age, education, language skills, and work experience.
• In some cases, both partners may apply as principal applicants separately to increase chances.

How Pelican Migration Consultants Can Help

Navigating the Express Entry system can be complex, especially for couples. Pelican Migration Consultants offers expert guidance throughout the entire process, ensuring your CRS score is maximized. Here’s how we can help:

• Tailored CRS Assessments: We provide personalized assessments to identify which spouse should be the principal applicant.
• Documentation Assistance: Our team will guide you through the extensive documentation process, making it easier to include all necessary qualifications.
• Language Preparation: We offer resources and guidance to improve language proficiency, helping both you and your spouse earn maximum points.
• PNP Guidance: We assist with selecting and applying for the right Provincial Nominee Programs that match your skills and work experience.

FAQs

Will including my spouse always increase my CRS score?

Not necessarily. While your spouse may contribute points in certain areas, it may reduce your score in others. It’s essential to evaluate both profiles carefully.

Should I work with a migration consultant to maximize my CRS score?

Yes. A consultant like Pelican Migration can help you navigate the complexities of the system, ensuring you maximize your points and increase your chances of success.

In conclusion, applying as a couple through Express Entry involves strategic planning to maximize your CRS score. By focusing on core areas such as education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience, and with expert guidance from Pelican Migration Consultants, you can significantly enhance your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residency.