Hi all,
I received my ITA today (Nov 13, 2025) with a deadline of Jan 12, 2026. I have a question about working remotely outside of Canada during my Canadian work experience period.
My situation: I have been working full-time (40 hrs/week) for Canadian employers since September 2024. However, during this period, I traveled outside Canada and worked remotely for short periods. Here is my complete employment profile (received Open Work Permit / PGWP on Sep 6 2024):
Based on my calculations, I will barely cross the 52-week / 1,560 hours requirement by the Jan 12 submission deadline.
My concern: I'm worried that being so close to the minimum makes my application risky. I understand that remote work performed outside Canada does not count toward CEC, even if working for a Canadian employer. My calculated CRS score is 554 currently (cutoff 533), but if I reduce the Canadian work experience from 1 year to "None or less than 1 year", the score drops to 501.
My question: Should I accept this ITA or decline and wait until I have accumulated more qualifying Canadian work experience (maybe 60+ weeks for a safer buffer)?
EDIT: Follow-up question, should I edit my EE profile to reflect the above or specify it in the e-APR only?
Thank you in advance!
I received my ITA today (Nov 13, 2025) with a deadline of Jan 12, 2026. I have a question about working remotely outside of Canada during my Canadian work experience period.
My situation: I have been working full-time (40 hrs/week) for Canadian employers since September 2024. However, during this period, I traveled outside Canada and worked remotely for short periods. Here is my complete employment profile (received Open Work Permit / PGWP on Sep 6 2024):
- Sep 25 2024 - Jan 8 2025: Working in Toronto, ON remotely for US-based startup, employed via Rippling Canada EOR (106 days ~= 15 weeks)
- Jan 9 2025 - Feb 17 2025: Working outside Canada for same employer - visiting family at home and working remotely (40 days ~= 6 weeks)
- Feb 18 2025 - Apr 16 2025: Working in Toronto, ON remotely for US-based startup, employed via Rippling Canada EOR - last working day with company is April 16 2025. (58 days ~= 8 weeks)
- May 12 2025 - Oct 11 2025: Working from office in Toronto, ON for consulting firm (153 days ~= 21 weeks)
- Oct 12 2025 - Nov 25 2025: Working outside Canada for consulting firm - visiting family at home and working remotely (45 days ~ 6 weeks; 1 week of paid vacation included)
- Nov 26 2025 - Jan 12 2026: Working from office in Toronto, ON for consulting firm (this is expected, 49 days ~= 7 weeks)
Based on my calculations, I will barely cross the 52-week / 1,560 hours requirement by the Jan 12 submission deadline.
My concern: I'm worried that being so close to the minimum makes my application risky. I understand that remote work performed outside Canada does not count toward CEC, even if working for a Canadian employer. My calculated CRS score is 554 currently (cutoff 533), but if I reduce the Canadian work experience from 1 year to "None or less than 1 year", the score drops to 501.
My question: Should I accept this ITA or decline and wait until I have accumulated more qualifying Canadian work experience (maybe 60+ weeks for a safer buffer)?
EDIT: Follow-up question, should I edit my EE profile to reflect the above or specify it in the e-APR only?
Thank you in advance!
Last edited: