One of the more significant decisions you will be confronted with will involve listing your spouse or common-law partner as an accompanying one or a non-accompanying one if you are planning immigration to Canada as a couple via Express Entry. 

Since this choice will impact your CRS score and the likelihood of IRCC sending you an Invitation to Apply, it will have a direct effect, even on your family's resettlement in Canada. 

In today's article, we will cover everything you need to know about applying as a couple through Express Entry, how IRCC evaluates applications, and mistakes you should avoid.

What Does “Accompanying vs Non-Accompanying Partner” Mean?

When applying through Express Entry, you must declare your partner. Hiding a spouse or common-law partner is considered misrepresentation, which can lead to refusal of your application or even a five-year ban.

Here’s what the two options mean:

Factor Accompanying Partner Non-Accompanying Partner
Partner gets PR with you Yes No
Partner must be admissible Yes Yes
Partner affects CRS score Yes No
Included in family size for settlement funds Yes Yes

When to List a Partner as Accompanying

  1. If you want your spouse or partner to receive permanent residency at the same time as you.
  2. When both partners plan to move to Canada together immediately.
  3. If your partner has strong qualifications (education, work experience, or language ability), it can boost your CRS score.

When to List a Partner as Non-Accompanying

Sometimes, candidates list their spouse as non-accompanying because:

  1. Their partner has a stable career or family responsibilities abroad.
  2. Their partner might immigrate later through spousal sponsorship.
  3. Including the partner would lower the CRS score, reducing the chances of an ITA.

However, this must be genuine. Listing your spouse as non-accompanying just to boost your score while planning to move together can be considered misrepresentation.

Example Case Study: How CRS Scores Change

Let’s take Shannon and Jeff as an example:

  1. Shannon:

    2. 27 years old, master’s degree from Canada, 1 year of Canadian work experience, 1 year of foreign work experience, CLB 9+ in English.

  2. Jeff:

    3. 32 years old, high school graduate, CLB 6, no Canadian work experience.

Scenario CRS Score
Shannon applies with Jeff accompanying 513
Shannon applies with Jeff, non-accompanying 539

In this case, Shannon has a higher CRS score if Jeff is listed as non-accompanying, which increases her chances of receiving an ITA.

Common Mistakes Couples Should Avoid

IRCC closely monitors applications. Here are the don’ts you must avoid:

  1. Not disclosing a partner – hiding a spouse is misrepresentation and leads to refusal.
  2. Using non-accompanying as a loophole for inadmissibility issues (medical, criminal).
  3. Inconsistent information – declaring “married” in one form and “single” in another raises red flags.
  4. Adding a partner after submission without a reason – this may trigger reassessment and suspicion.
  5. Omitting documents – always provide proof like a marriage certificate or a Letter of Explanation.

Best Practices for Express Entry Couples

  1. Be honest – always disclose your relationship truthfully.
  2. Prepare documents – marriage certificate, proof of relationship, and joint bank accounts.
  3. Consider family sponsorship later – if you choose non-accompanying now, explore the spousal sponsorship route post-landing.
  4. Submit separate profiles – both spouses can create Express Entry profiles with themselves as the primary applicant.

Can Both Partners Apply Separately?

Yes. Both spouses can submit separate Express Entry profiles. For example:

  1. Mary is the principal applicant in one profile, listing Bob as her spouse.
  2. Bob creates another profile, listing Mary as his spouse.

IRCC allows this as long as:

  1. Both profiles are accurate.
  2. There is no conflicting or misleading information.
  3. Only one profile moves forward once an ITA is issued.

This approach is useful if one partner qualifies under French-language draws, CEC, or PNP categories while the other does not.

Key Takeaways

  1. Express Entry couples must carefully decide between accompanying and non-accompanying designations.
  2. This choice can directly impact your CRS score and ITA chances.
  3. Misrepresentation can result in refusal and long-term immigration bans.
  4. Transparency with IRCC is critical for a successful application.

Conclusion

Immigrating to Canada as a couple through Express Entry can be both exciting and complex. Whether you list your partner as accompanying or non-accompanying, your decision should be based on honesty, strategy, and long-term family goals.

With CRS cut-offs rising and IRCC keeping a close eye on applications, couples must plan carefully and avoid misrepresentation at all costs.

How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help Couples

Applying for Express Entry as a couple is not always straightforward—but Visa Solutions 4u can make the process smoother.

Here’s how they help:

  1. Profile Evaluation:

    2. Assess both partners’ eligibility and recommend the best strategy.

  2. CRS Improvement Plans:

    3. Suggest ways to raise scores through PNPs, language tests, and credential assessments.

  3. Spousal Sponsorship Guidance:

    4. Support couples who plan to reunite later through sponsorship.

  4. End-to-End Support:

    5. Handle documentation, profile setup, and ensure no detail is missed.

With expert guidance, Visa Solutions 4u helps couples avoid costly mistakes and maximize their chances of success in Canada’s Express Entry system.