Do the principal and secondary applicant have to be approved for Permanent residency at the same time?

[Yemeni01]

I have applied for Express Entry for me and my wife together. I am the Principal applicant and I am in currently in canada. She on the other hand has never been in Canada yet. Do we have to be approved for Permanent residency at the same time? or is it possible that they approve me first while they continue processing her file? I am asking because I have recently passed the Criminality and Security Screening, while her Security screening has not started yet and the Criminality screening is in progress.

 

[scylla]

I have applied for Express Entry for me and my wife together. I am the Principal applicant and I am in currently in canada. She on the other hand has never been in Canada yet. Do we have to be approved for Permanent residency at the same time? or is it possible that they approve me first while they continue processing her file? I am asking because I have recently passed the Criminality and Security Screening, while her Security screening has not started yet and the Criminality screening is in progress.

You must both be approved. No - it's not possible for them to approve you first.

 

[Yemeni01]

You must both be approved. No - it's not possible for them to approve you first.

Can you please tell me why are you sure

 

[scylla]

Can you please tell me why are you sure

Because this is how the application process works. Everyone included in the application must pass the medical, security check and background check before the primary applicant can be approved. If your spouse has a criminality or medical issue that prevent them from being approved, this will result in your being refused as well. IRCC is not going to approve you until they know if your spouse is admissible as well.