You may have come across calculating your work experience when applying for Canada PR through different PR pathways. However, calculating work experience correctly can be tricky, and mistakes can hurt your application. This guide will cover everything you need to know, from counting hours to avoiding common mistakes.
What Counts as Work Experience for Canada PR?
To be eligible, your work experience must meet these basic requirements:
- Paid Work Only: Volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count towards work experience.
- NOC Eligibility: Your job must fall under a valid NOC (National Occupational Classification) code. This includes TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories.
- Continuous Work: For full-time jobs, the experience must be continuous with the same employer (unless you’re claiming experience for multiple jobs).
- Contract Work: Contract positions can count, provided they meet all other criteria. You’ll need to provide valid documentation like offer letters, contracts, and pay stubs.
- Inside or Outside Canada: Work experience can be gained either in Canada or abroad, but only Canadian work experience gets extra points in Express Entry.
Does Part-Time Work Count as Experience?
Yes, part-time work counts, but the hours are calculated differently. To qualify:
- You must have worked at least 15 hours per week, adding up to 1,560 hours over some time (usually two years for part-time).
- Multiple part-time jobs can be combined to meet the required hours.
How to Calculate 1,560 Hours for PR in Canada
For full-time work, the government defines full-time as 30 hours per week. Let’s break it down:
- Full-Time Work: Working 30 hours per week for 1 year (52 weeks) equals 1,560 hours.
- Part-Time Work: Working 15 hours per week would take 2 years to reach 1,560 hours.
- Overtime Hours: Extra hours beyond 30 per week don’t count. For part-time, only a maximum of 30 hours per week per job is considered.
How Does IRCC Calculate Hours?
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) uses a simple formula:
- Add up your hours from full-time and part-time jobs.
- Make sure you don’t count hours worked at the same time for two jobs (double-dipping isn’t allowed).
- Self-employed work (outside Canada) doesn’t count for Express Entry, even if it meets all other criteria.
How Many Points for Work Experience?
1. Foreign Work Experience
You can earn points for foreign work experience under the CRS if it meets the eligibility criteria.
| Years of Foreign Work Experience | Points (with a spouse) | Points (without a spouse) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 25 | 40 |
| 2–3 years | 37 | 53 |
| 4+ years | 50 | 64 |
2. Canadian Work Experience
Points for Canadian work experience are higher because it’s highly valued in the Express Entry system.
| Years of Canadian Work Experience | Points (with a spouse) | Points (without a spouse) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 35 | 40 |
| 2 years | 46 | 53 |
| 3 years | 56 | 64 |
| 4 years | 63 | 72 |
| 5+ years | 70 | 80 |
3. Combination Points: Canadian and Foreign Work Experience
If you have both foreign work experience and Canadian work experience, you can earn additional combination points under the CRS.
| Foreign Work Experience | 1 Year of Canadian Work | 2+ Years of Canadian Work |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 13 points | 25 points |
| 2–3 years | 25 points | 37 points |
| 4+ years | 25 points | 50 points |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect NOC Code: Make sure your job duties align with the NOC description. Misrepresentation can lead to rejection.
- Missing Documentation: Always provide clear proof like offer letters, reference letters, pay stubs, and T4 slips (if in Canada).
- Double Counting Hours: You can’t claim hours worked for two part-time jobs at the same time.
- Ignoring Gaps: Ensure that work experience is continuous where required.
- Claiming Unpaid Work: This won’t count, no matter how many hours you worked.
- Self-Employment Outside Canada: While valuable, it doesn’t count for Express Entry points.
Does Contract Jobs count towards work experience?
Contract work can count as valid work experience if:
- The job was paid.
- The duties match the NOC description.
- You can provide documents like signed contracts, invoices, and proof of payments.
How to Calculate Work Experience Correctly
Here’s a simple step-by-step approach:
- Identify Your NOC Code: Use the IRCC NOC tool to match your job duties.
- Gather Documents: Reference letters, pay stubs, contracts, or tax documents are essential.
- Add Hours Carefully: Add up hours from multiple jobs without double-dipping.
- Check Continuity: For full-time experience, ensure no gaps exceed four weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include internships?
Only if they were paid and meet the NOC requirements.
What if I worked in multiple countries?
International experience counts, but make sure you have valid proof for each job.
How do I prove self-employed work in Canada?
Provide contracts, invoices, and CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) documents showing income.
Final Tips for Success
- Be honest about your experience. Misrepresentation can lead to a 5-year ban from applying.
- Keep your documentation organized and ensure it matches the IRCC requirements.
- Use tools like the CRS calculator to see how many points your experience will add.
Work experience is a powerful component of your Canada PR application. Calculating it properly ensures you don’t lose out on valuable points. Remember, accuracy and attention to detail are key.
