CRS Work Experience Points Explained
Qualifying skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations drives Core Human Capital points (up to 80 for Canadian work), Skill Transferability (up to 100 combined), and Labour Market Integration pathways.
Official IRCC CRS Canadian & Foreign Work Experience Points
Rule 2026.2 · Verified 2026-11-04| Years of Qualifying Skilled Work | Canadian Work – Single (Core) | Canadian Work – With Spouse (Core) | Spouse Canadian Work | Foreign Work + CLB 9+ (Transferability) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None or less than 1 year | 0 pts | 0 pts | 0 pts | 0 pts |
| 1 year (1,560+ hours) | 40 pts | 35 pts | 5 pts | 25 pts (13 pts at CLB 7) |
| 2 years (3,120+ hours) | 53 pts | 46 pts | 7 pts | 25 pts (13 pts at CLB 7) |
| 3 years (4,680+ hours) | 64 pts | 56 pts | 8 pts | 50 pts (25 pts at CLB 7) |
| 4 years | 72 pts | 63 pts | 9 pts | 50 pts (25 pts at CLB 7) |
| 5 years or more | 80 pts | 70 pts | 10 pts | 50 pts (25 pts at CLB 7) |
Canadian Work Experience
Canadian work experience directly awards up to 80 Core Human Capital points for single applicants (70 with an accompanying spouse) for 1 to 5+ years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work in Canada within the last 10 years.
To count toward CRS points, the work must be in a skilled occupation classified under NOC TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3, and must have been legally authorized while holding valid work status in Canada.
Foreign Work Experience
Foreign work experience does not award direct Core Human Capital points in the 1,200-point CRS table. Instead, 1–2 years or 3+ years of skilled foreign work experience within the last 10 years unlocks up to 50 Skill Transferability points when combined with CLB 7+/CLB 9+ language proficiency or 1+/2+ years of Canadian work experience.
Qualifying Work Experience
IRCC defines one year of full-time work as at least 1,560 hours (30 hours per week for 12 months, or an equal total in part-time hours such as 15 hours per week for 24 months). Hours worked above 30 hours per week cannot be used to shorten the 12-month calendar requirement.
Important: Work experience gained while you were a full-time student in Canada (such as co-op terms or on/off-campus work on a study permit) and self-employed work in Canada do not count toward Canadian Work Experience CRS points.
Work Experience and Skill Transferability
Combining 1 year of Canadian work experience with 3+ years of foreign skilled work experience adds 25 Skill Transferability points; reaching 2 years of Canadian work experience with 3+ years of foreign experience awards the full 50-point pair maximum.
Labour Market Integration
Under updated CRS rules, qualifying Canadian work experience in eligible TEER occupations meeting high-wage median multipliers (1.3x, 1.5x, or 2.0x) is also evaluated under the Labour Market Integration factor and compared against any qualifying high-wage job offer.
Practical Calculation Example: First Year of Canadian Work Experience
Carlos (single, age 28, Bachelor’s degree, CLB 9 in English, 3 years foreign software engineering experience) completes his first full year (1,560 hours across 12 months) on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Toronto.
Common Assessment Mistakes
- Counting co-op terms or part-time work performed while studying full-time in Canada toward Canadian Work Experience.
- Working 45 hours per week for 8 months (1,440–1,560 hours) and claiming 1 year of experience before 12 calendar months have elapsed.
- Claiming points for TEER 4 or TEER 5 jobs that do not qualify as skilled work under Express Entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does foreign work experience give Core Human Capital points in CRS?
No. Foreign work experience gives 0 Core points, but it awards up to 50 Skill Transferability points when paired with CLB 7+ language scores or Canadian work experience.
Does Canadian work experience have to be continuous?
For Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and CRS points, Canadian work experience does not have to be continuous, provided you accumulate at least 1,560 hours (at up to 30 hours/week) within the 10 years preceding your application (and 1 year within 3 years for CEC program eligibility).
When does Express Entry award points for a new year of Canadian work?
Notice that the Express Entry system often calculates work duration by calendar month (MM/YYYY). Always ensure you have completed the full 12 calendar months and 1,560 hours before submitting your e-APR if an ITA depends on those points.
Calculate Your Exact Work Experience
See how work experience combine with language proficiency, skill transferability, and additional factors in the full calculator.