Is part-time work experience counted?
Yes, part-time work experience is taken into account, but it is subject to proportional recalculation based on the following rules:
- Full-time employment is defined as work with a workload of 30 hours per week or more, which equals 1,560 hours per year. One calendar year of such work equals one full year of qualifying work experience for immigration purposes.
- Part-time employment (less than 30 hours per week) is recalculated according to the following formula:
Actual hours worked ÷ 1,560 = full-time equivalent years of experience
Example:
If you worked 10 hours per week, you would need three calendar years to accumulate the equivalent of one year of full-time work experience.
How is work experience calculated if you worked more than 30 hours per week?
According to IRCC rules:
- Any workload of 30 hours per week or more is considered full-time.
- Working more than 30 hours per week does not give any advantage or accelerate how work experience is counted.
- The maximum recognized is one year of experience per one calendar year of work, regardless of the actual number of hours exceeding 30 per week.
Is work experience obtained during studies counted?
Such work experience may be counted if:
- the work was official and paid;
- the duties performed correspond to the relevant NOC classification;
- the experience is properly documented.
Additional aspects:
- For part-time work during studies, additional explanations are generally not required.
- If you studied full-time and worked more than 30 hours per week, it is recommended to provide a written explanation detailing how you managed both responsibilities.
Important:
Work experience gained during studies in Canada, even if performed legally under a study permit, does not count as qualifying work experience for most Canadian immigration programs.
Is remote work experience counted?
Yes, remote work experience is recognized if the following conditions are met:
- the work was official and paid;
- the duties align with the relevant NOC;
- the experience is supported by proper documentation.
Specific requirements:
- Foreign remote work experience is counted regardless of where you physically resided.
- To count Canadian work experience, you must have been physically present in Canada while performing your duties, even if the work was remote.
What is considered foreign work experience?
Foreign work experience refers to any paid employment obtained:
- outside of Canada;
- in your country of citizenship or permanent residence.
Such experience may be recognized under programs that allow foreign work experience, particularly under Express Entry, in the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) category, provided it meets all other eligibility criteria.
What documents are required to prove work experience?
Regardless of the country, form of employment, or method of work performance, you must provide:
- official documents confirming employment (reference letters, contracts, payment records);
- evidence that your duties correspond to the relevant NOC;
- documents that meet IRCC standards for accuracy and completeness.
Conclusion:
Only properly prepared and fully documented work experience will be officially counted within Canadian immigration procedures.
