Express Entry profile: how to enter one job when my weekly hours changed (plus an overlapping job)?

[Ahmad@2026]

Hi all, I’m creating my Express Entry profile (CEC) and I’m stuck on how to enter one job in the Work History section. I’d appreciate advice from anyone who’s dealt with this, especially RCICs.


My situation, all with the same employer in Canada:

• Job 1 : 30 hrs/week from Sep 2025 to Jun 2026, with one unpaid leave from Dec 7, 2025 to Jan 17, 2026. Then 10 hrs/week in Jul 2026, and 15 hrs/week from Aug 2026 to now.
• Job 2 (a different position): full-time and permanent, 35 hrs/week since Jul 2026.

I’m claiming both jobs for points, and I know IRCC counts no more than 30 hrs/week in total across jobs.


My questions:

1. Should I enter Job 1 as one entry, or as separate entries for each hours period (30 hrs, then 10 hrs, then 15 hrs)?
2. If it’s one entry, what hours per week should I put, given the changes?
3. Does the unpaid leave need its own entry or a gap in the profile, or is it only explained in the PR application after an ITA?

Both jobs have reference letters that show the hours for each period. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ash G.]

Not a consultant, just my take. For the EE profile itself, keep it simple:

Job 1: Enter it as one entry with 30 hrs/week for the period Sep 2025 to Jun 2026 (that's your main qualifying block). Then create a separate entry for the reduced hours period (Jul 2026 onward at 10-15 hrs/week) since the hours changed significantly.

Job 2: Separate entry, 35 hrs/week starting Jul 2026.

The EE profile only lets you enter one number for hours per week per entry, so when hours change substantially you need to split it into separate entries. Your reference letters already document the hours for each period, which is exactly what the officer will look at after ITA.

For the unpaid leave, you don't need a separate entry in the EE profile. That level of detail comes in the full application after ITA, where you can note it in your work history or LOE. Just make sure your reference letter mentions it so the dates and hours add up cleanly.

IRCC caps at 30 hrs/week total across overlapping jobs, so for Jul 2026 onward where you have both jobs running, only 30 hrs/week counts toward your experience even though you're working more. Your reference letters showing the breakdown will make that clear.

 

[Ahmad@2026]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to lay this out, it really helps. I agree on splitting the job when the hours changed and on the 30 hour cap once the second job started. The one thing a lot of people are telling me to do differently is, split the 30 hour block around my unpaid leave in December and January, since IRCC only counts paid work and the profile gets locked once an ITA is issued. That way my profile, my reference letter and my hours all line up from the start. What do you think?? TIA

 

[Ash G.]

Your welcome. Yes that makes sense. If IRCC only counts paid work and the profile locks at ITA, splitting around the unpaid leave is the safer approach. So you'd have:

Entry 1: Sep 2025 to Dec 6, 2025 (30 hrs/week)
Entry 2: Jan 18, 2026 to Jun 2026 (30 hrs/week)
Entry 3: Jul 2026 onward (10-15 hrs/week)

That way every entry matches paid work only and lines up with your reference letter. More entries but cleaner documentation

 

[Ahmad@2026]

I was thinking of making three entries, as my hour changed in July and then August. So this is what I was thinking:

Entry 3: Jul 2026 onward (10 hrs/week)
Entry 4: August - Present (15hrs/week)

Do you think this is alright? I really appreciate your opinion. Thanks.

 

[Ash G.]

Yes, if the hours actually changed from 10 to 15 between those months, splitting them into separate entries is the right call. Same logic as splitting around the unpaid leave. Each entry should reflect exactly what your reference letter shows for that period. So you’d have 5 entries total for Job 1, which sounds like a lot, but it keeps everything consistent with your documentation. Better to over-document than have an officer question why the hours don’t match.

 

[Ahmad@2026]

Yes, that exactly what I was thinking. Thank you for your suggestion, I really appreciate it.

Also, in EE profile, there's a part which asks 'which province you want to stay/work?'. What should I select there? A lot of people are saying select 'All Provinces' and some of them are saying select the province you are currently in, for example 'Nova Scotia'. What is the correct way? Does it have an effect on the application processing time?