Boost Your Express Entry Score with Foreign Work Experience
How Foreign Work Experience Can Help You Immigrate to Canada Through Express Entry
Thinking about making Canada your new home? If you’re planning to apply through the Express Entry system, your foreign work experience can be a powerful asset in boosting your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score—and ultimately improving your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Let’s break down how foreign work experience is assessed in Express Entry, what makes it different from Canadian work experience, and how having both can work in your favour.
Key Highlights
- Foreign work experience can contribute up to 50 CRS points under the Skills Transferability section.
- Canadian work experience can earn up to 180 CRS points through core and transferability factors.
- Only Canadian work experience counts toward the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) pathway.
- Foreign experience can be gained while studying or self-employed—Canadian experience cannot.
- You can earn points for both types of work experience if they meet specific criteria.
- Combining foreign work experience with high language proficiency or Canadian experience can significantly boost your CRS score.
Foreign vs. Canadian Work Experience: What’s the Difference?
In the Express Entry system, work experience is classified as either Canadian or foreign. The key difference lies in where the experience was gained and who you were working for.
What Counts as Canadian Work Experience?
To be considered Canadian, the work must:
- Be done within Canada
- Be for a Canadian employer
- Be legally authorized (i.e. on a valid work permit)
What Counts as Foreign Work Experience?
Any work that doesn’t meet the above Canadian criteria falls under foreign work experience. That includes:
- Work performed outside Canada for any employer
- Remote work for a non-Canadian employer while living in Canada
- Remote work for a Canadian employer while living abroad
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Situation | Canadian Work Experience | Foreign Work Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Working in Canada for a Canadian employer | Yes | No |
| Working remotely from outside Canada for a Canadian company | No | Yes |
| Working in Canada for a foreign employer | No | Yes |
| Working outside Canada for a foreign company | No | Yes |
How Work Experience Impacts Your CRS Score
Foreign Work Experience
Foreign work experience doesn’t contribute to your core CRS score but plays a vital role in the Skills Transferability Factors section. When combined with strong language skills or Canadian experience, it can add up to 50 additional points to your CRS profile.
Here’s how foreign experience translates into points:
| Foreign Work Experience | + CLB 7+ | + CLB 9+ | + 1 Year Canadian Exp. | + 2+ Years Canadian Exp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 years | 13 | 25 | 13 | 25 |
| 3+ years | 25 | 50 | 25 | 50 |
Canadian Work Experience
Canadian experience is rewarded under both the core human capital factors and skill transferability. You can earn:
- Up to 80 points without a spouse
- Up to 70 points with a spouse
- Up to 50 points under the skill transferability section
That’s a potential 180 CRS points—a major competitive edge in Express Entry!
Other Key Differences Between Canadian and Foreign Work Experience
| Criteria | Canadian Experience | Foreign Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum CRS points | 180 | 50 |
| Can be gained while studying full-time | No | Yes |
| Counts if self-employed | No (with some exceptions) | Yes |
| Qualifies for Canadian Experience Class | Yes | No |
| Qualifies for Federal Skilled Worker/Trades | Yes | Yes |
Requirements for Eligible Work Experience
Whether your experience is Canadian or foreign, it needs to meet the following Express Entry criteria:
- Must be paid employment
- At least 30 hours per week (or equivalent part-time)
- Must be in a skilled occupation under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Gained within the last 10 years
Can You Claim Both Canadian and Foreign Work Experience?
Yes, you can! If you’re working two jobs—one for a Canadian company and another for a foreign employer—both can count, provided each meets its respective criteria. For example, you could be working remotely for a company overseas while also holding a part-time role in Canada. Just make sure to keep detailed records to prove your experience during the application process.
Special Cases: Students and Self-Employment
Work While Studying
Work done in Canada while you were a full-time student doesn’t count toward CRS or CEC eligibility. However, foreign work experience gained as a student can be counted, assuming it otherwise meets the requirements.
Self-Employment
Canadian self-employment generally doesn’t count—unless you’re a physician meeting specific criteria. Foreign self-employment, on the other hand, is fair game and can help raise your CRS score.
Why Canadian Experience Qualifies You for the CEC Program
One of the biggest advantages of having Canadian work experience is becoming eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This pathway offers several perks, including:
- No need to show settlement funds (unlike the FSW or FSTP)
- Extra CRS points under both core and transferability sections
To qualify for the CEC, your Canadian experience must:
- Be paid and legally authorized
- Fall under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Total at least 1,560 hours in the past 3 years
- Be with a Canadian employer while physically present in Canada
- Match the duties and responsibilities outlined in the NOC
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning to apply for permanent residence under Express Entry, don’t underestimate the value of your foreign work experience. Whether you’re applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program or hoping to boost your profile with skill transferability points, every bit counts. And if you also have Canadian experience, you’re in an even stronger position.
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