Applying for PR as Principal Applicant Without Including Spouse

[imppraim]

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of applying for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) through the Express Entry system. I have my LMIA and am waiting for the CRS score to get a bit lower. My situation is a bit different, as my husband is currently studying in Germany. I am also planning to apply for an open work permit visa for him. I have a few questions regarding including my spouse in my PR application:

1. Principal Applicant:
   • Can I apply as the principal applicant without including my spouse?
   • As I am married, will it be possible to not include my husband in my application since he will be joining me if we manage to get the visa for him? I understand that excluding him might help me avoid a reduction in my Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points if his qualifications do not contribute positively to my score.
2. Impact on CRS Score:
   • Are there any specific points I should consider, such as losing or gaining points in certain categories?
3. Legal Obligations:
   • Are there any legal obligations or potential complications I should be aware of if I declare my spouse as non-accompanying in the application?

I would appreciate any insights or experiences you can share on this matter. Thank you!