Hi,
I am just beginning the express entry process. I have just started the ECA at WES and received my IELTS score. Currently I've got a CRS score of 441. After getting the ECA, I'll submit my profile to the express entry pool. At this moment, my marital status will be single.
If everything goes smoothly, let's say I get an ITA after 10 months from now (feel free to give me an accurate time frame). I'm planning on getting married next year and the CRS will increase when including my spouse's details. 1. Can I change the marital status after receiving the ITA?
2. Is it possible to change my single application to a couple's application so we both get PR and can migrate together?
3. What documents will I require and how much time will I have for the entire process?
1. You get married before you get the ITA - the easiest, you simply add your spouse to your profile, and your points go up (or down), and you get an ITA accordingly.
2. You get married after ITA but before your submit the application - you have to add your spouse to your profile. If this causes your points to drop below the ITA score, you have to decline the invite and re-enter the pool. You can manually calculate the points using one of the many CRS calculators. If your points don't change, or they go up, then you can accept the invite and add her to the application. You will need to inform IRCC and submit her documents. This will add a few months to the process, but it's pretty quick if you have everything ready (IELTS, ECA, PCC).
3. You get married after you submit your application but before you land as a PR - you need to inform IRCC and follow their guidance on adding your spouse. In this case you don't need to worry about points changing since you already submitted your application, but you will need to submit her PCC and medicals. This usually adds 3-6 months to the process, but again, you both get a CoPR and you can land toegther.
4. You get married after you've already landed as a PR. In this case, you have to sponsor your wife through the spousal sponsorship route.
