Married? You Lose 40 Points in Canada’s Immigration System

Key Takeaways

• Job offer points removed from CRS on March 25, 2025, increasing importance of education and language skills.
• Married applicants lose up to 40 CRS points if spouse accompanies, encouraging some to declare spouse non-accompanying.
• French speakers can earn up to 50 extra CRS points; spousal open work permits limited to certain student spouses.

Canada’s immigration system, especially the Express Entry program and its Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), has undergone several important changes in 2025. These changes have sparked debate about how the system treats married versus single applicants, and whether it unintentionally rewards singles while making things harder for families. This analysis looks closely at the purpose and scope of these policies, the methods used to assess applicants, key findings, and the real-world effects on people hoping to move to Canada 🇨🇦.

Purpose and Scope

The main goal of this analysis is to explain how recent changes in Canada’s immigration system affect married and single applicants, with a special focus on the CRS used in Express Entry. We will look at:

• The reasons behind the changes
• How the CRS works for different types of applicants
• The effects of these changes on families and singles
• Trends and patterns in recent policy updates
• What these changes mean for future applicants

This analysis is based on official government updates, statements from immigration experts, and feedback from applicants and advocacy groups.

Methodology

To provide a clear and accurate picture, this analysis uses:

• Official government sources: Updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Industry commentary: Opinions from immigration consultants and lawyers
• Public feedback: Social media discussions and advocacy group statements
• Quantitative data: CRS point breakdowns, policy change dates, and statistics on program eligibility

Information is presented in a way that is easy to understand, with key facts highlighted and technical terms explained in simple language.

Key Findings

• Job offer points have been removed from the CRS as of March 25, 2025, making other factors like education and language skills more important.
• Married applicants can lose up to 40 CRS points if their spouse is included in the application, compared to single applicants or those declaring their spouse as non-accompanying.
• Spousal open work permits are now limited to spouses of students in Master’s, PhD, or certain professional programs.
• French language skills are rewarded with up to 50 extra CRS points, even outside Quebec 🇨🇦.
• Targeted draws continue for high-priority sectors, sometimes with lower CRS cut-offs.
• Many married applicants are declaring their spouse as non-accompanying to maximize their CRS score, which can lead to temporary family separation.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

CRS Points: Married vs. Single Applicants

The CRS is a points-based system that ranks Express Entry candidates. Points are given for:

• Age
• Education
• Work experience
• Language ability (English and/or French)
• Adaptability (including spouse’s education and language skills if accompanying)

Visual Description:
Imagine a bar chart with two bars. The first bar (single applicant) is taller, showing a higher CRS score. The second bar (married applicant with accompanying spouse) is shorter by up to 40 points, unless the spouse has strong education and language skills. If the married applicant declares their spouse as non-accompanying, their bar matches the single applicant’s height.

Policy Change Timeline

• 2015: Express Entry and CRS launched
• March 25, 2025: Job offer points removed
• 2025: Spousal work permit eligibility narrowed; French language bonus increased

Visual Description:
Picture a timeline with key dates marked. The removal of job offer points and changes to spousal work permits are highlighted as major milestones in 2025.

Table: Key Policy Changes and Impacts

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Singles vs. Married Applicants

• Single applicants or those declaring their spouse as non-accompanying receive the maximum adaptability points.
• Married applicants with an accompanying spouse often lose up to 40 CRS points unless their spouse has high education and language scores.
• This difference can be the deciding factor in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Policy Trends

• Shift away from job offers: With job offer points gone, the system now focuses more on individual merit—education, language, and work experience.
• Language skills matter more: French speakers can now earn up to 50 extra CRS points, making bilingualism a strong advantage.
• Targeted draws: Canada 🇨🇦 is using targeted draws to invite workers in sectors like healthcare, skilled trades, education, and French-speaking roles, sometimes with lower CRS cut-offs.

Family Impact

• Temporary separation: Many married applicants now choose to declare their spouse as non-accompanying to gain extra points, planning to sponsor them later. This can lead to months or even years of family separation.
• Reduced spousal work permit access: Fewer spouses of international students can work in Canada 🇨🇦, which can affect family income and integration.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• The CRS system currently rewards singles or those whose spouse is not accompanying them. This is not a new policy, but recent changes have made the difference more noticeable and important.
• Removing job offer points has made education and language skills even more critical. Applicants can no longer rely on a job offer to boost their score.
• The system may unintentionally encourage family separation. By offering up to 40 extra points to single or unaccompanied applicants, the CRS creates a strong incentive for married applicants to leave their spouse behind, at least temporarily.
• French language skills are now a major advantage. Bilingual applicants can earn up to 50 extra points, which can be decisive in receiving an ITA.
• Targeted draws are helping fill labor shortages in key sectors. This benefits applicants with skills in healthcare, trades, education, and French-speaking roles.

Limitations

• No announced plans to change marital status points: Despite criticism from advocacy groups, there are no official plans to adjust the CRS to be more family-friendly.
• Unclear long-term effects: The impact of these changes on family unity and integration is not fully known.
• Potential for policy shifts: Future governments could change the CRS or Express Entry rules, so current trends may not last.
• Data on family separation is limited: There is little official data on how many families are separated due to these policies.

Step-by-Step Procedures for Express Entry (2025)

1. Create an Express Entry profile: Enter details about your age, education, work experience, language skills, and marital status.
   Official Express Entry page
2. Get your CRS score: The system calculates your score based on the latest rules.
   CRS calculator
3. Enter the pool: Your profile is ranked against others in the pool.
4. Receive an ITA: If your score is high enough, or you are in a targeted group, you get an Invitation to Apply.
5. Apply for permanent residence: You have 60 days to submit your application after getting an ITA.
6. Wait for a decision: IRCC reviews your application and makes a decision.

Declaring a Spouse as Non-Accompanying:

• When creating your profile, you can choose to declare your spouse as non-accompanying.
• This gives you the same CRS points as a single applicant.
• After you become a permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse to join you in Canada 🇨🇦 through the Family Class program.

Multiple Perspectives

Official Government View

• Merit-based selection: The government wants to select immigrants who are most likely to succeed in Canada 🇨🇦. This means focusing on education, language, and adaptability.
• Targeted draws: By inviting people in high-demand sectors, Canada 🇨🇦 hopes to fill labor shortages and support the economy.

Immigration Consultants and Lawyers

• Strategic advice: Many experts now recommend that married applicants consider declaring their spouse as non-accompanying to maximize their CRS score.
• Ethical concerns: Some consultants worry that the system is unfair to families and may cause unnecessary separation.

Advocacy Groups

• Family unity: Advocacy groups argue that the CRS should not penalize families and are calling for reforms to make the system more family-friendly.
• Support for sponsorship: While the Family Class sponsorship program remains strong, it can take time to bring spouses to Canada 🇨🇦 after the principal applicant arrives.

Background and Historical Context

• Express Entry launched in 2015 to manage economic immigration more efficiently.
• CRS has changed over time to reflect labor market needs, with points for job offers, language, and education adjusted several times.
• Family Class immigration remains a separate pathway for sponsoring spouses and children, but is not part of Express Entry.
• Canada 🇨🇦 is a global leader in refugee resettlement, but the economic class (Express Entry) is more focused on individual merit.

Future Outlook

• No immediate changes to marital status points: The government has not announced any plans to change how the CRS treats married versus single applicants.
• Language and education will remain important: These factors are likely to stay at the center of the CRS.
• Targeted draws may expand: Canada 🇨🇦 may continue to adjust its targeted draws to meet changing labor market needs.
• Advocacy for reform: Family advocacy groups will likely keep pushing for changes to make the system fairer for families.

Official Resources

For the most up-to-date and official information, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Here, you can find details on Express Entry, the CRS calculator, and information about sponsoring family members.

Common Questions

Why do married applicants lose points?
The CRS is designed to reward adaptability. Single applicants are seen as more adaptable, so they get more points. If a spouse is included, the system adds points for their education and language, but this rarely makes up for the points lost.

Can I sponsor my spouse later?
Yes. After you become a permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse through the Family Class program.

Is it ethical to declare a spouse as non-accompanying?
This is a personal choice. The system allows it, but it may mean being apart from your spouse for some time.

What if my spouse has high education or language scores?
If your spouse has strong qualifications, including them may not reduce your CRS score as much, and could even help.

Evidence from VisaVerge.com

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that these recent changes have made the CRS even more competitive, especially for married applicants. The removal of job offer points and the increased focus on language and education mean that every point counts, and strategic decisions about marital status can make a big difference in Express Entry outcomes.

Actionable Takeaways

• Check your CRS score carefully: Use the official CRS calculator to see how your marital status affects your score.
• Consider language training: Improving your English or French can add valuable points.
• Plan for family sponsorship: If you declare your spouse as non-accompanying, be ready for the sponsorship process later.
• Stay informed: Policy changes can happen quickly. Always check the IRCC website for the latest updates.

Canada 🇨🇦 continues to use the Comprehensive Ranking System in Express Entry to select immigrants who are most likely to succeed. While the system aims to be fair and effective, recent changes have made it more challenging for families, especially married applicants. Understanding these rules and planning your application carefully can help you make the best choices for your situation.

Learn Today

Express Entry → Canada’s online immigration system for selecting skilled workers based on merit and a points-based CRS.
Comprehensive Ranking System → A points-based framework used to score and rank Express Entry candidates for permanent residency eligibility.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) → An official invitation issued to Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Spousal Open Work Permit → A permit allowing spouses of eligible students or workers to work legally in Canada.
Targeted Draws → Express Entry invitations focused on candidates with skills in sectors facing labor shortages.

This Article in a Nutshell

Canada’s 2025 Express Entry changes prioritize education and language over job offers, disadvantaging married applicants with spouses. French skills now add up to 50 points. Many married applicants declare spouses non-accompanying to maximize scores, risking temporary family separation amid efforts to address labor shortages through targeted draws.
— By VisaVerge.com