When applying for Canadian permanent residency (PR) through Express Entry, couples must make a critical decision: whether to include their spouse or common-law partner as an accompanying or non-accompanying partner on the application. This choice can influence your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, settlement fund requirements, and your partner’s potential pathway to PR.
Maple News reports that, under current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidelines, applicants are obligated to declare their spouse or partner in any Express Entry profile. Failing to disclose a partner constitutes misrepresentation and can result in serious consequences, including refusal of the application and bans on reapplying.
If your partner is listed as accompanying, they will be included in your PR application. If the application is approved, both of you will receive PR status—assuming your partner meets admissibility requirements. Additionally, your CRS score will reflect your partner’s educational background, language skills, and Canadian work experience. However, this also means that your partner’s inadmissibility—for medical, criminal, or financial reasons—can affect the success of your application.
Alternatively, listing your partner as non-accompanying allows you to submit an application without them immigrating simultaneously. You will still need to declare their information and ensure they are admissible, but they won’t receive PR status alongside you. This option might improve your CRS score if your partner has fewer qualifications or low language test results. It can also simplify the application process for those who plan to have their partner join them later through family sponsorship.
It’s important to note that whether a partner is listed as accompanying or not, they are always factored into the family size for settlement fund purposes. This means you may need to show higher financial resources, even if your partner is not joining you immediately.
According to Maple News, listing your partner as non-accompanying raises concerns only when done without a clearly communicated plan. Immigration officers may question the legitimacy of a relationship or assume future sponsorship is being used tactically to bypass requirements. Immigration experts recommend including a detailed letter of explanation outlining the temporary reasons for separation and the intention to reunite post-landing.
Couples seeking the best path forward should assess both partners’ eligibility and CRS scores. In many cases, it may be strategic for the stronger profile holder to be the principal applicant, whether or not the partner is accompanying. Long-term immigration planning, transparency, and realistic timelines play a key role in successful applications.
Express Entry offers flexibility, but understanding the implications of each choice is essential. Whether immigrating together or in stages, couples should aim for clarity, accuracy, and compliance with program regulations.