Can I claim foreign work experience accumulated while studying in my home country for EE?

[timpaine]

Hi folks! I’m hoping someone can help clarify something about foreign work experience under EE.

I moved to BC in September 2023 to pursue a master’s degree. Before that, I was studying in my home country wherein I completed my undergrad (2017–2021) and then a postgrad degree (2021–2023).

From June 2021 to July 2024, I worked part-time (12 hours/week) as a paid Research Associate back home, while I was also a student there. The work was continuous and in my field of study (which falls under NOC TEER 2)

I know IRCC doesn’t count foreign work experience gained while studying in Canada, but I’m trying to figure out if they will count part-time, paid work done while studying in my home country. Based on my calculations, I’ve crossed the 1,560-hour threshold needed for one year of full-time equivalent foreign work experience before moving here.

I plan to apply for PR through the CEC stream soon once I complete 1 year of Canadian work experience next year, and I’d really like to claim the extra CRS points for my foreign experience.

My questions are:

1. Will this part-time, paid work experience while studying in my home country count toward foreign skilled work experience for CRS points?
2. If yes, what documents do I need to collect to prove this experience?

Thank you! I’d really appreciate insight from anyone who’s been in a similar situation or has experience with this!

 

[canuck78]

Hi folks! I’m hoping someone can help clarify something about foreign work experience under EE.

I moved to BC in September 2023 to pursue a master’s degree. Before that, I was studying in my home country wherein I completed my undergrad (2017–2021) and then a postgrad degree (2021–2023).

From June 2021 to July 2024, I worked part-time (12 hours/week) as a paid Research Associate back home, while I was also a student there. The work was continuous and in my field of study (which falls under NOC TEER 2)

I know IRCC doesn’t count foreign work experience gained while studying in Canada, but I’m trying to figure out if they will count part-time, paid work done while studying in my home country. Based on my calculations, I’ve crossed the 1,560-hour threshold needed for one year of full-time equivalent foreign work experience before moving here.

I plan to apply for PR through the CEC stream soon once I complete 1 year of Canadian work experience next year, and I’d really like to claim the extra CRS points for my foreign experience.

My questions are:

1. Will this part-time, paid work experience while studying in my home country count toward foreign skilled work experience for CRS points?
2. If yes, what documents do I need to collect to prove this experience?

Thank you! I’d really appreciate insight from anyone who’s been in a similar situation or has experience with this!

Did you declare this work on your study permit and PGWP?

 

[timpaine]

Did you declare this work on your study permit and PGWP?

Study Permit, yes.
However, for my PGWP, they only had 3 fields which I filled with my 3 most recent ones from within Canada.

 

[CNP]

Hi folks! I’m hoping someone can help clarify something about foreign work experience under EE.

I moved to BC in September 2023 to pursue a master’s degree. Before that, I was studying in my home country wherein I completed my undergrad (2017–2021) and then a postgrad degree (2021–2023).

From June 2021 to July 2024, I worked part-time (12 hours/week) as a paid Research Associate back home, while I was also a student there. The work was continuous and in my field of study (which falls under NOC TEER 2)

I know IRCC doesn’t count foreign work experience gained while studying in Canada, but I’m trying to figure out if they will count part-time, paid work done while studying in my home country. Based on my calculations, I’ve crossed the 1,560-hour threshold needed for one year of full-time equivalent foreign work experience before moving here.

I plan to apply for PR through the CEC stream soon once I complete 1 year of Canadian work experience next year, and I’d really like to claim the extra CRS points for my foreign experience.

My questions are:

1. Will this part-time, paid work experience while studying in my home country count toward foreign skilled work experience for CRS points?
2. If yes, what documents do I need to collect to prove this experience?

Thank you! I’d really appreciate insight from anyone who’s been in a similar situation or has experience with this!

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...ry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-workers.html

 

[timpaine]

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...ry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-workers.html

For FSW, yes. But I'm confused whether it would count for CEC?

 

[CNP]

For FSW, yes. But I'm confused whether it would count for CEC?

Qualifying under CEC doesnt mean you cannot count work experience outside Canada (it will always be under FSW). I would suggest you go through both CEC and FSW requirements for better clarity

 

[timpaine]

Qualifying under CEC doesnt mean you cannot count work experience outside Canada (it will always be under FSW). I would suggest you go through both CEC and FSW requirements for better clarity

Thank you for that clarification- I was a little confused. From what I can read via the link you shared, I would be able to use my foreign work experience (which even though was part time over 3 years- does amount to about 1,800 hours, so I can count it as one year of foreign work experience). Would I be right in coming to that conclusion?

 

[canuck78]

Study Permit, yes.
However, for my PGWP, they only had 3 fields which I filled with my 3 most recent ones from within Canada.

Should have also listed it in personal history so would explain the inconsistency in your PR application.

 

[timpaine]

Should have also listed it in personal history so would explain the inconsistency in your PR application.

Is there anything I can do about it now?
I still have about 8 months till I create my PR application/profile

 

[canuck78]

Is there anything I can do about it now?
I still have about 8 months till I create my PR application/profile

You can technically send in a webform updating your personal history but not sure that will change the fact that they weren’t declared in the PGWP. Up to you. You did declare the experience on your first application so just be honest and include an LOE about why you didn’t list them when filing PGWP. Your reason is fairly reasonable and not deceptive in any way. Had you not declared the experience on your study permit that would be a much bigger issue.