Did you know that some Express Entry applicants are able to boost CRS points with dual work experience—within just a year? 

It’s true! By combining Canadian and foreign work experience at the same time, eligible candidates can significantly increase their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores—sometimes by more than 60 points. This unique opportunity is especially beneficial for those who are already in Canada and can manage dual employment setups.

Let’s explore how this works, who qualifies, and how you can potentially make the most of your work history to get closer to that all-important Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Earning Canadian And Foreign Work Experience Simultaneously

So, how does someone rack up both Canadian and foreign work experience at the same time?

It often comes down to remote work.

Many applicants already in Canada on valid work permits take on remote jobs for foreign employers while also working a full-time Canadian job. If done correctly, both types of employment can be counted separately under Express Entry—one as Canadian work experience and the other as foreign.

But, there’s a catch: You must meet the specific eligibility criteria for both types of work. Here’s what that looks like:

  • The Canadian work must qualify under the Canadian Experience Class or other Express Entry categories.
  • The foreign job must meet the conditions for foreign work experience under the system.
  • You need to have proper work authorization for both jobs.
  • All work must be paid and legally obtained.

Let’s break down what’s required for work experience to count under Express Entry, depending on the stream you’re applying through.

Work Experience Criteria By Express Entry Stream

In order to boost CRS points with dual work experience, one must understand work experience criteria by Express Entry stream. 

Each Express Entry stream has its own requirements when it comes to work experience. To successfully claim dual work experience, your jobs must align with the appropriate standards set for each stream.

Canadian Work Experience Requirements

If you’re hoping to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you’ll need to make sure your experience meets these key criteria:

  • The work must fall under NOC TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
  • You must have performed this work inside Canada on a valid work permit.
  • It needs to be paid—volunteer work doesn’t count.
  • You must have accumulated at least one year of full-time work (or 1,560 hours) within the last three years.

Note that the work experience gained while you were studying in Canada (such as co-op jobs or work done on a study permit) doesn’t count for CEC purposes.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

If you’re applying under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, your work experience must meet the following:

  • It should fall under one of these occupational categories:
    • Major Groups 72 (except 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, or 93 (excluding 932)
    • Unit Group 62200
    • Minor Group 6320
  • It must be paid and obtained under proper work authorization.
  • You need at least two years of full-time experience (3,120 hours total) in a relevant skilled trade within the last five years.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

For those applying under the FSWP stream, here’s what you’ll need:

  • Your work must be in NOC TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
  • The job should match the primary NOC listed in your application.
  • The work must be paid and continuous—at least one year of full-time work or 1,560 hours in total.
  • Experience must have been gained within the last 10 years.

Note that the work experience gained while you were a full-time student can count toward the minimum eligibility for FSWP—but it won’t give you CRS points.

Understanding The NOC And TEER Levels

Canada uses the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to categorize jobs. It’s how they determine whether a job is “skilled” for immigration purposes.

Each job is assigned a TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) level:

  • TEER 0: Management-level roles
  • TEER 1: Jobs needing a university degree
  • TEER 2 & 3: Skilled trades, college diplomas, or apprenticeships
  • TEER 4 & 5: Entry-level or low-skill jobs (not typically eligible for Express Entry)

Your job’s TEER level plays a big role in determining which stream you qualify for and how your work experience is assessed.

How Express Entry Counts Your Work Experience?

To take advantage of the opportunity to boost CRS points with dual work experience it’s essential to understand how your work experience is actually calculated under the Express Entry system.

When applicants claim both foreign and Canadian work experience at the same time, it’s important to know how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) defines and counts eligible hours. Surprisingly, the actual number of hours you’ve worked may not fully translate into Express Entry credit.

Here’s the key rule: one year of full-time work is defined as 30 hours per week for 12 months, which adds up to 1,560 hours. You can also meet this requirement through part-time work—as long as the total hours reach 1,560. For instance, working 15 hours per week for 24 months would still meet the full-time equivalent.

One common misconception is that working extra hours—say, 40 hours a week—will give you more points. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Even if you work overtime, IRCC will only consider up to 30 hours per week when calculating your work experience.

Now, let’s talk about how this plays out when you’re working two jobs—one in Canada and one remotely for a foreign employer. In this scenario, IRCC may recognize up to 30 hours per week per job, allowing you to claim up to two years’ worth of experience in a single calendar year, provided both jobs meet their respective eligibility requirements.

Once you’ve confirmed that both your Canadian and foreign work experiences meet the basic standards, the next step is to ensure they meet Express Entry’s definitions of valid work experience.

What Counts As Canadian Work Experience?

To qualify as Canadian work experience under Express Entry, your employment must meet these criteria:

  • You must have physically worked in Canada while legally authorized to do so.
  • Your job must be with a Canadian employer.
  • It must be paid work—either wages or commission.

If you worked remotely for a Canadian employer while in Canada, that could still count—as long as you were physically present in Canada during that period. However, if you were working from outside the country for a Canadian employer, that time does not count toward Canadian work experience under Express Entry rules.

What Counts As Foreign Work Experience?

Foreign work experience is defined a bit more flexibly under Express Entry. For work to be considered foreign experience, it must:

  • Be performed outside Canada.
  • Be paid employment.
  • Be conducted legally and with valid authorization in the country where it took place.

Even though IRCC doesn’t officially capture remote work in their system, they have clarified that working remotely for a foreign employer while physically present in Canada can be counted as foreign work experience.

To avoid any confusion or issues, make sure to collect and include all supporting documents when you claim this experience. This could include your employment agreement, a detailed job description, pay records, and proof of your remote work arrangement.

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].