Understanding Eligible Work Experience for Express Entry Immigration

The definition of eligible work experience in the context of Express Entry varies depending on the specific program an immigration candidate is applying for. Here, we outline what qualifies as skilled work experience for each program:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Under the FSWP, eligible candidates must have worked in a job, either in Canada or abroad, falling under one of these National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER categories:

1. TEER 0
2. TEER 1
3. TEER 2
4. TEER 3

For this work experience to be eligible, candidates must:

• Prove that they performed the duties specified in the NOC’s lead statement for their occupation, including essential and most main duties.
• Have the same NOC as the job they plan to use for their Express Entry application.
• Show that it was paid work with wages or earned commission.
• Accumulate one year of continuous work (1,560 hours total, equivalent to 30 hours per week) within the last 10 years. There are various ways to meet this requirement, including full-time at one job, equal part-time work at different jobs, or full-time work at multiple jobs.

Note: Volunteer-based or unpaid internship experience is not eligible.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

CEC candidates must have at least one year of skilled work experience obtained exclusively in Canada. The work experience should align with one of these NOC TEER categories:

1. TEER 0
2. TEER 1
3. TEER 2
4. TEER 3

To qualify as eligible work experience under CEC, candidates must:

• Have gained this experience within the three years before submitting their application.
• Have worked in Canada under temporary resident status.
• Prove they fulfilled all duties in the NOC’s lead statement for their occupation, including essential and most main duties.
• Show it was paid work with wages or earned commission.

Note: Self-employment and work experience gained while being a full-time student do not count toward CEC eligibility. However, foreign national physicians providing publicly funded medical services in Canada are exempt from typical self-employment conditions.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

For the FSTP, candidates must meet these criteria for their experience to be eligible:

• Have two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled trade within the five years before applying.
• Prove they performed all duties specified in the NOC’s lead statement for their occupation, including essential and most main duties.
• Show it was paid work with wages or earned commission.

Eligible work experience under the FSTP must fall within one of these NOC groups:

1. Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers (excluding Sub-Major Group 726).
2. Major Group 73, general trades.
3. Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture, and related production.
4. Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production.
5. Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers.
6. Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors (excluding Sub-Major Group 932).
7. Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers, and bakers.
8. Unit Group 62200, chefs.

Important: To be eligible, candidates must have been qualified to independently practice the trade occupation during the work experience period. Otherwise, their FSTP application will be refused.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for candidates seeking to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, ensuring their work experience aligns with the specific program requirements.