How Canadian work experience is counted

Canadian work experience is the most important factor for moving from a work permit to permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This article summarizes how IRCC counts it.

Qualifying experience for the CEC

According to IRCC, experience must:

• be in one or more of TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 (it can span several jobs and NOC codes);
• be gained working in Canada (including Quebec) while authorized as a temporary resident; remote work counts only if you were physically in Canada working for a Canadian employer;
• show the actions in the NOC lead statement and most of the main duties;
• be paid (wages or commission);
• total at least 1 year, or 1,560 hours (30 hours/week), in the 3 years before you apply.

Counting hours

• Full-time in one job: up to 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1,560 hours.
• Part-time: for example 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1,560 hours; several part-time jobs can be combined.
• Several full-time jobs: up to 30 hours/week combined over 12 months.

Working more than 30 hours a week doesn't get you there faster.

Experience that doesn't count

• Work while studying full-time (including co-op terms).
• Self-employment (except some physicians under a temporary policy).
• Volunteer work or unpaid internships.
• Work without legal authorization.

A note on C16 and TEER 4–5 jobs

C16 allows TEER 4 and 5 jobs (except primary agriculture), but TEER 4 and 5 experience doesn't count for the CEC. Workers in TEER 4 and 5 jobs should look at other pathways such as PNPs, the AIP, RCIP or FCIP, which have their own TEER rules.

Note Keep full evidence: contracts, pay stubs, T4 slips and employer letters stating duties and hours.