Can You Count Student Work Experience Toward Express Entry Canada?
If you’re a student in Canada or abroad looking to immigrate, you may wonder if your work experienced gained while a full-time student can help you qualify for Express Entry Canada.
Let’s take a closer look!
Using Student Work Experience for Express Entry Eligibility
To qualify for Express Entry Canada, you must meet the minimum work experience requirements for at least one of these programs:
| Program | Duration | Full-Time / Part-Time | Location | TEER / NOC Requirements | Other Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSWP | 1 year | Full-time or part-time equivalent | Canada or abroad | TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 | Within 10 years |
| CEC | 1 year | Full-time or part-time equivalent | Canada only | TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 | Within 3 years |
| FSTP | 2 years | Full-time or part-time equivalent | Canada or abroad |
Major Groups 72 (excl. 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, 93 (excl. 932); Minor Group 6320; Unit Group 62200 |
Within 5 years |
You can meet the 1,560-hour (1 year full-time) requirement by:
One full-time job: 30+ hours/week for 52 weeks
Part-time work: Combine multiple jobs to total 1,560 hours (e.g., 15 hours/week for 104 weeks).
Multiple jobs: 30 hours/week across more than one job for 52 weeks.
In short: any combination of paid work adding up to 1,560 hours over at least 52 weeks counts as 1 year full-time. IRCC counts full-time work as a maximum of 30 hours per week. Even if you work two jobs and complete 60 hours per week, you will still need to work for at least 52 weeks to meet the requirement. Working more than 30 hours per week does not allow you to reach the requirement faster.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Student Work
Student work experience can count toward FSWP eligibility if the following conditions are met:
Work was paid (wages or commissions)
Work was continuous (no gaps)
Work was skilled
This includes co-op placements, internships, and apprenticeships, whether completed in Canada or abroad.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) & Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
For CEC and the Trades program, student work experience does not count toward the minimum work experience requirements.
How Student Work Experience Affects Your CRS Score
Even if your student work counts toward FSWP eligibility, Canadian work experience gained as a full-time student does not increase your CRS points in the Express Entry pool.
Need Help With Permanent Residence to Canada?
At NextGen we help international students, skilled workers, and graduates navigate Express Entry, Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades applications with ease.
About the Author: Lauren Shannan is a Senior Immigration Consultant with 12 years of experience helping foreign nationals navigate their journey in Canada. With her extensive knowledge of immigration processes and policies, Lauren provides valuable insights to those looking to make Canada their new home.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized advice, please consult with a licensed immigration professional.