CRS Points for Spouse or Common-Law Partner
If your spouse or common-law partner is coming with you and is not a Canadian citizen or PR, you are scored on the "with spouse" tables (slightly lower maximums) and can earn up to 40 points from your partner's own factors.
CRS Points for Spouse or Common-Law Partner: key facts
- Maximum spouse points
- 40 (education 10, language 20, Canadian work 10)
- Spouse language at CLB 9+
- 5 points per ability
- Scored as single when
- Your partner is a Canadian citizen or PR, or is not coming to Canada
Updated
| Level of education | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | 0 |
| High school | 2 |
| One-year post-secondary | 6 |
| Two-year post-secondary | 7 |
| Bachelor's (3+ years) | 8 |
| Two or more credentials (one 3+ years) | 9 |
| Master's or professional degree | 10 |
| PhD | 10 |
| CLB level | Points |
|---|---|
| CLB 9 or more | 5 |
| CLB 7 or 8 | 3 |
| CLB 5 or 6 | 1 |
| CLB 4 or less | 0 |
| Years | Points |
|---|---|
| None or less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1 year | 5 |
| 2 years | 7 |
| 3 years | 8 |
| 4 years | 9 |
| 5 years or more | 10 |
What this means for your score
- If your partner is a Canadian citizen or PR, or is not coming to Canada, you are scored as a single applicant.
- Sometimes the partner with the stronger profile should be the principal applicant — try both in the CRS calculator.
Worked examples
The same principal applicant (aged 29 aged 29 with a bachelor's degree, CLB 9 in all four English abilities, 3 years of foreign work experience and no Canadian experience) scored alone and with an accompanying partner.
| Profile | Spouse factors | Total CRS |
|---|---|---|
| Single (or partner not coming) | 0 | 429 |
| Partner coming, no ECA or test | 0 | 403 |
| Partner: bachelor's, CLB 7 | 20 | 423 |
| Partner: master's, CLB 9, 1 year in Canada | 35 | 438 |
Calculated with this site's scoring engine using IRCC's current tables. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Spouse or partner points FAQ
Does having a spouse lower my CRS score?
Your own maximums are lower (for example 100 instead of 110 for age), but your partner can earn up to 40 points back through education, language and Canadian work experience.
Should my spouse take a language test?
Often yes. Your partner's first official language is worth up to 20 points (5 per ability at CLB 9 or higher), which is cheap compared with most other ways to gain 20 points.
What if my partner is a Canadian citizen or not coming with me?
Then you are scored as a single applicant, using the higher single-applicant tables.
Other CRS factors
- CRS Points for Age
- CRS Points for Education
- CRS Points for Language (CLB)
- CRS Points for Canadian Work Experience
- CRS Skill Transferability Points
- CRS Additional Points
Source: IRCC CRS criteria, verified 2026-10-03.