Top 5 Essential Facts About Express Entry and Canadian PR – Can You and Your Partner Apply Separately?

Express Entry and Canadian PR

If you’re aiming for Canadian PR through, it’s essential to understand the process and how the pool works. The system is a fast-track option for skilled workers looking to immigrate to Canada. Whether you’re applying as the principal applicant or with your partner, this blog post will guide you through everything you need to know, including whether you and your partner can create separate profiles.

What is Express Entry and How Does It Lead to Canadian PR?

Express Entry is an online system designed by the Canadian government to manage applications for Canadian permanent residency. This system ranks applicants based on their skills, experience, education, language abilities, and other key factors. The higher your points, the better your chance of being selected from the pool and receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) Top 5 Facts About Express Entry and Canadian PR

  1. Express Entry Pool: The First Step to Canadian PR
    • All candidates who qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class enter the pool. This pool is a collection of eligible candidates ranked by a points-based system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
  2. Who is the Principal Applicant?
    • In an application for Canadian PR, the principal applicant is the individual who applies as the main candidate. The principal applicant must meet the eligibility criteria and achieve a competitive CRS score to stand out in the pool.
  3. Can You and Your Partner Have Separate Profiles?
    • Yes, both you and your partner can create separate profiles in the system. This strategy allows each of you to apply as a principal applicant, maximizing the chance that one of you receives an ITA. If one partner receives an invitation, the other can be included as a dependent.
  4. How the CRS Score Determines Selection from the Pool.
    • The CRS score evaluates key factors like age, education, work experience, and language ability. Candidates with higher scores in the pool have a better chance of receiving an ITA. Regular draws are held where candidates with the highest scores are invited.
  5. Updating Your Profile for Improved Chances
    • You can improve your profile even after entering the pool by updating it with new qualifications, such as language test results or additional work experience. Keeping your profile updated helps maximize your CRS score and increases your chances of receiving an ITA for Canadian PR.
express entry

Benefits of Separate Profiles

When both you and your partner have separate profiles, each of you is considered as a principal applicant. This approach offers several advantages:

  • Higher Chance of ITA: With two profiles, both partners have an independent chance of receiving an ITA from the pool.
  • Stronger Profile: Each profile can independently build CRS points based on individual strengths, such as work experience, education, and language skills.

If one partner receives an ITA, the other can be included as a dependent on the PR application, allowing both of you to achieve together.

How to Improve Your CRS Score

  1. Improve Your Language Test Scores: Taking or retaking a language test like the IELTS can significantly impact your score.
  2. Add Educational Credentials: Ensure you’ve completed an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your academic qualifications outside Canada.
  3. Gain Canadian Work Experience: Work experience in Canada is highly valued in the CRS system.
  4. Get a Provincial Nomination: Some provinces offer Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that can add 600 points to your CRS score, almost guaranteeing an ITA for Canadian PR.

Applying for Canadian PR through is a popular choice due to its efficiency and transparency. Whether you’re applying as the principal applicant or creating separate profiles with your partner, knowing the details about the and ways to improve your CRS score can greatly enhance your chances. By strategically applying, you and your partner can maximize your opportunities for Canadian PR.