Who should be the principal applicant in Express Entry?

The partner whose profile gives the couple the higher CRS score, as long as they are eligible for a program on their own. Usually that's the younger partner with the stronger language results and more education, but French at NCLC 7 or Canadian work can flip it. Score both ways above.

How many CRS points does a spouse add?

Up to 40 points: up to 10 for education, 20 for their first official language and 10 for Canadian work experience. The spouse's age doesn't count.

Does having a spouse lower my CRS score?

Yes, a little, if your spouse is coming with you. The principal applicant's core points use the "with spouse" column, which has lower maximums (for example 100 instead of 110 for age), and the spouse can earn up to 40 points to make up the difference.

Can both partners create an Express Entry profile?

IRCC's instructions don't forbid it, and many couples do: each partner creates a profile listing the other as accompanying spouse. Keep the family details the same in both. If one of you is invited, you apply together and the other profile can be withdrawn.

Does the spouse's French count for French-language category draws?

No. Only the principal applicant's French counts for category draws and for the French bonus. A spouse's French test can still add up to 20 spouse language points.

Do the 3 November 2026 CRS changes affect this choice?

They can. From 3 November 2026, the principal applicant's Canadian work and high-wage job offers are scored in a new Labour Market Integration factor. A partner with Canadian work in a high-wage occupation may score more as principal applicant. This calculator uses the grid in force until 2 November 2026; read what changes.

Principal Applicant Calculator: Who Should Apply?

Why it matters

What the principal applicant earns, and what the spouse earns

Most CRS points go to the principal applicant. The spouse adds a small amount on top, so the stronger profile usually belongs in the principal applicant's seat.

Maximum CRS points for the principal applicant and the accompanying spouse, by factor
Factor	Principal applicant	Spouse
Age	100	0
Education	140	10
First official language	128	20
Second official language	22	0
Canadian work experience	70	10
Skill transferability	100	0
French bonus	50	0
Study in Canada	30	0

Before you choose

Four rules that decide it

The principal applicant must be eligible on their own
Only the principal applicant has to meet a program's minimum requirements: Federal Skilled Worker (67 points), Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades. A higher CRS score is useless if that partner isn't eligible. Check with the eligibility checker.
French category draws look at the principal applicant
French-language category draws need NCLC 7 in all four French skills from the principal applicant. A spouse's French adds a few spouse points, never the category. If one of you has NCLC 7, that may decide it even with a lower score.
Two profiles are possible
IRCC's instructions don't stop each partner from creating their own profile with the other as accompanying spouse. If you do, keep the family details identical in both, and withdraw the other profile once one of you applies.
Partners who don't come score as single
If your spouse is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or isn't coming to Canada, you score in the single column, with higher points for age, education, language and Canadian work. Use the CRS calculator in that case.

Raise the couple's score

What moves the result most

French for the principal applicant
NCLC 7 in all four French skills adds 50 bonus points with CLB 5 English, and opens category draws. See your level with the NCLC converter.
A language test for the spouse
A spouse with CLB or NCLC 9 in all four skills adds 20 points. It's often the cheapest few points a couple can add.
Watch the birthdays
Age points drop every year from 30. If you're close, check when the older partner's points fall with the CRS age points calculator.
Count Canadian work properly
Only work in Canada with authorization, outside full-time study, counts. Add up your hours in the Canadian work experience calculator.

FAQ