When applying for Canadian economic immigration programs, many newcomers aim to include their spouse or common-law partner in their application. Canada’s immigration system recognizes and accommodates these family ties, but the presence of a spouse or partner can have both positive and negative effects on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Understanding how a spouse or common-law partner affects your score is crucial for maximizing your chances. In this breakdown, we will explore how the CRS score categories—particularly Human Capital factors and Spouse/Common-law partner factors—are influenced by the inclusion of a spouse or partner in your application.
CRS Categories Impacted by Spouse or Partner
When assessing your CRS score, the presence of a spouse or common-law partner impacts two main categories: Group A (Human Capital factors) and Group B (Spouse or Partner factors). Even if your spouse or partner is not accompanying you to Canada, they still need to be listed in your application. However, if they are not accompanying, your score will be assessed as a single applicant, which can affect the outcome.
Group A: Human Capital Factors
This category assesses key factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience. If you have an accompanying spouse or partner, your maximum score in each of these sub-categories is slightly reduced compared to applying as a single applicant.
- Age: Applicants with a spouse or partner can score up to 100 points, while single applicants can earn up to 110 points. The best age range for points is between 20-29 years.
- Education: Applicants with an accompanying spouse or partner can receive a maximum of 140 points, compared to 150 points for single applicants. Higher education levels yield more points.
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English and French is highly valued. With a spouse or partner, you can earn a maximum of 32 points per language skill in the first official language, whereas single applicants can score up to 34 points per skill. Second language skills offer up to 22 points with an accompanying partner, compared to 24 for single applicants.
- Canadian Work Experience: Canadian work experience for up to five years is an important criterion. With an accompanying spouse or partner, applicants can score up to 70 points, while those applying alone can earn up to 80 points.
Group B: Spouse or Common-law Partner Factors
While having a spouse or partner may reduce some of your individual scores, their own qualifications can add points to your overall CRS score. The factors considered in this category include:
- Education of Spouse/Partner: Up to 10 points can be added based on your spouse’s or partner’s education level.
- Language Proficiency of Spouse/Partner: Your spouse’s or partner’s language abilities can contribute up to 20 points.
- Canadian Work Experience of Spouse/Partner: If your spouse or partner has Canadian work experience, this can add up to 10 points.
Conclusion: Is Having a Spouse or Partner a Disadvantage?
Having an accompanying spouse or common-law partner in your immigration application doesn’t always mean a lower CRS score. While some sub-categories may reduce your points, the additional points available in Group B can help balance the overall score. It’s essential to consider both the pros and cons when deciding how to structure your application.
Maximizing your CRS score requires careful planning and an understanding of how each factor interacts, including the impact of your spouse or common-law partner’s qualifications.