CRS Points for a Spouse or Common-Law Partner
If your spouse or common-law partner comes with you to Canada, your own points use a lower scale (core maximum 460 instead of 500), and your partner can add up to 40 points. Whether that helps or hurts depends on their profile. Compare both scenarios →
Spouse factors (max 40)
| Factor | How it's scored | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Secondary 2 · one-year 6 · two-year 7 · bachelor's 8 · two credentials 9 · master's/PhD 10 | 10 |
| First official language | Per ability: CLB 5–6 = 1 · CLB 7–8 = 3 · CLB 9+ = 5 | 20 |
| Canadian work experience | 1 yr 5 · 2 yrs 7 · 3 yrs 8 · 4 yrs 9 · 5+ yrs 10 | 10 |
Example: same applicant, different spouses
Principal applicant: 29, master's degree, CLB 9, 3 years of foreign experience.
| Situation | CRS score |
|---|---|
| Single (or spouse is a Canadian citizen/PR, or not coming) | 469 |
| Accompanying spouse with no test, no ECA, no Canadian work | 442 |
| Spouse with a bachelor's (ECA) and CLB 9 | 470 |
| Spouse with a master's, CLB 9 and 2 years of Canadian work | 479 |
A spouse with no points costs 27 points. A spouse with a language test and an ECA more than makes it back.
How to maximise points as a couple
- Get your spouse's language test and ECA. Together they can add up to 30 points.
- Try each partner as principal applicant. The stronger profile often wins by a lot.
- If your spouse is a Canadian citizen or PR, or won't come with you, you're scored as single.
- Your spouse's sibling in Canada also counts for the 15-point sibling bonus.
FAQ
Does having a spouse reduce my CRS score?
It can. With an accompanying spouse, your core maximum drops from 500 to 460. Your spouse can add up to 40 points back through their education, language and Canadian work experience.
What if my spouse is a Canadian citizen or PR?
Then you are scored as single, using the higher single-applicant points, and your spouse earns no spouse points.
Should my spouse be the principal applicant?
Calculate both ways. The partner with the stronger profile (younger, higher language scores, more education or Canadian experience) usually gets the higher score as principal applicant.
Source: IRCC, CRS criteria. More factors: age · education · language · work experience · French · full CRS score chart