Principal Applicant
The principal applicant is the main person in an immigration application whose qualifications, job offer, or relationship make the case eligible. Family members included in the same application qualify through the principal.
In the US and Canada
United States: in employment and preference cases, the principal is the worker or relative named in the petition. The spouse and children are derivative beneficiaries.
Canada: in Express Entry, the principal applicant is the person whose age, education, language, and work experience are scored for the CRS. A couple can choose which partner is the principal, and many run the numbers both ways because one profile may score higher.
Mexico: the person who meets the solvencia económica test is the main applicant, and family members can join through family unity. See Canada Express Entry.
Frequently asked questions
Can my spouse be the principal applicant instead of me?
In Canada, yes, if they meet the program rules. In US employment cases, the person with the job offer is the principal.
Do dependents need to meet the same requirements?
Usually not, but they must pass medical, security, and admissibility checks.
Is the principal applicant the same as the petitioner?
No. In the US, the petitioner files the petition. The principal applicant is the person it is for.
Official sources
- IRCC: Express Entrycanada.ca
General information, not legal advice. NorthAmericans.com is independent and not affiliated with any government.