Does Graduate Assistantship (20hr/week) count towards EE ?

[cr11sh]

Hello all,

I am currently a Master's student in a USA university and have been working for the last 2 years as a Graduate Assistant (20hrs/week) during the course. USA student visa (F1 Visa) states that students are eligible to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic year. I was paid during this entire period as well.

Does this mean I can include this experience in my EE profile ?

PS: This assistantship is same as my primary NOC. I am applying under FSW.

Thanks in advance.

 

[esantos]

See what CIC says for work experience requirements (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who.asp)
If you have been in this paid job for 2 years, working 20hrs/week, you will probably be able to claim it as 1.3 years of work experience.
Make sure your work letter clearly states the amount of hours worked per week, your responsibilities, compensation and the date when you started in this position.
Other users might be able to help you here as well

Minimum requirements
Skilled work experience

Your work experience must be:

at least one year (1,560 hours total / 30 hours per week), continuous full-time or an equal amount in part-time,
paid work (volunteer work, unpaid internships do not count),
in the same NOC skill type (0, A or B) ,
within the last 10 years, and
at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2011 National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Full Time

30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

Part time

15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
OR
30 hours/week for 12 months at more than one job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

You must show that you did the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC, including all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.

If you cannot show that your work experience meets the description in the NOC, you are not eligible under this program.

 

[caibmer]

No, it does not count.

 

[cr11sh]

See what CIC says for work experience requirements
If you have been in this paid job for 2 years, working 20hrs/week, you will probably be able to claim it as 1.3 years of work experience.
Make sure your work letter clearly states the amount of hours worked per week, your responsibilities, compensation and the date when you started in this position.
Other users might be able to help you here as well

Thanks for the reply, esantos. Appreciate it. My employer will be able to provide all the details you mentioned.

Looks like I will be able to bump up my points by another 25.

 

[cr11sh]

No, it does not count.

Thanks for the reply, caibmer.

Uhh ohh !!
For sure ? I was not able to find any link that said it does not. Can you please point me to a resource ? Appreciate any response

 

[coolrc_04]

Thanks for the reply, caibmer.

Uhh ohh !!
For sure ? I was not able to find any link that said it does not. Can you please point me to a resource ? Appreciate any response

Work experience gained during education is not counted.

 

[Asivad Anac]

Thanks for the reply, esantos. Appreciate it. My employer will be able to provide all the details you mentioned.

Looks like I will be able to bump up my points by another 25.

I agree with eSantos on this.

The only place CIC explicitly says No to part time work experience gained while studying is while determining EE eligibility for CEC class applicants. Nowhere else does CIC exclude part time work experience gained while studying - you can include it to gain FSW eligibility points and to enhance your CRS score as well.

All the best!

Minimum requirements - Canadian Experience Class

You must:

have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the three years before you apply,
have gained your experience in Canada with the proper authorization,
meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening),
plan to live outside the province of Quebec.

Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (for example, on a co-op work term) does not count under this program.

 

[velveteen]

Thanks for the reply, caibmer.

Uhh ohh !!
For sure ? I was not able to find any link that said it does not. Can you please point me to a resource ? Appreciate any response

Yes, your work is eligible for FSW, just not for CEC.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=855&t=29

 

[cr11sh]

Thanks a lot for the replies guys, velveteen, Asivad Anac, coolrc_04.

@Asivad Anac: Heard and read a lot about you

Now at 435 finally :| Phew.

 

[esantos]

Just to add on that, I claimed 1.5 years of work experience from back in my country that was gained during my University studies.

10 months as a full time system support analyst
6 months as a full time software developer

both experiences were supported by letters from the employer.

My ECAS shows Decision Made and I have called CIC and the agent informed me that my PR application has been approved as of June 24 (I haven't received the PPR yet tho)

So my take on that is that they do accept the experience done during school time as long as it wasn't in Canada and was a paid job, meeting the minimum amount of hours required.

 

[Nikhil89]

Hi esantos,

Just a quick question, now when I am claiming my work experience during studies what should I write in the section (you first become eligible to work i mean which year)
as for my work ex after graduation I have entered there my graduation date for that work experience

Thanks a lot.
Cheers