How many hours do I need for the Canadian Experience Class?

1,560 hours of skilled work in Canada (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) in the 3 years before you apply. That's one year at 30 hours a week, or two years at 15 hours a week. Hours above 30 a week don't count.

Does part-time work count for CEC?

Yes. IRCC adds up part-time hours: 15 hours a week for 24 months equals one year of full-time work (1,560 hours). Several part-time jobs at once also count, up to 30 hours a week combined.

Does work while studying count toward Canadian experience?

Not for the Canadian Experience Class or CRS points. Work you did while you were a full-time student doesn't count, and neither do co-op terms. Work after you finish your program, for example on a post-graduation work permit, does count.

Does self-employment count as Canadian work experience?

No. Self-employed work doesn't count for the Canadian Experience Class or for CRS Canadian experience points. IRCC makes an exception for some physicians under CEC.

How many CRS points is Canadian work experience worth?

1 year gives 40 points without a spouse (35 with one), 2 years 53 (46), and 5 years or more 80 (70). It also unlocks skill transferability points when combined with your language or education.

Does working remotely for a foreign company from Canada count?

No. IRCC's CRS page says Canadian work experience means working for a Canadian employer in Canada. Remote work counts only if you were physically in Canada and working for a Canadian employer.

Express Entry · Canadian Experience Class

Canadian work experience calculator

The Canadian Experience Class needs 1,560 hours of skilled work in Canada in the 3 years before you apply, and the CRS gives points for every full year. Add your jobs to see the hours that count, the date you reach each milestone, and why a job might not count at all.

Your jobs in Canada

Add every paid job, part-time ones too. Saved on this device only.

Job 1
Job 1 (optional name)
Start date
End date
I still work here
Hours
a week
TEER category of the job
I worked in Canada with a work permit or other authorization
Paid work (wages or commission)
I was a full-time student during this job
Self-employed or freelance

Your qualifying experience

Date you apply

Add a job with a start date and hours per week to see your total.

Last verified Oct 22, 2026Sources:Canadian Experience Class (IRCC)(opens in a new tab)Federal Skilled Worker Program (IRCC)(opens in a new tab)Ministerial Instructions, s. 15(opens in a new tab)CRS criteria (IRCC)(opens in a new tab)2026 CRS changes (IRCC)(opens in a new tab)

Independent tool, not affiliated with IRCC. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.

What counts

Hours that count, and hours that don't

Counts

Paid work in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job
Work in Canada while authorized to work under temporary resident status (work permit, or permitted work without one)
Part-time work: 15 hours a week for 24 months equals one year
Remote work, only if you were physically in Canada working for a Canadian employer
Several jobs at once, up to 30 hours a week combined

Doesn't count

Hours above 30 a week, across all your jobs
Work while you were a full-time student, including co-op terms
Self-employment (CEC: with an exception for some physicians)
Volunteer work and unpaid internships
Work without authorization to work in Canada
TEER 4 and 5 jobs

Three different counts

CEC, CRS and FSW count experience differently

How the Canadian Experience Class, CRS and Federal Skilled Worker count work experience
Rule	Canadian Experience Class	CRS points	Federal Skilled Worker
Time window	3 years before you apply	10 years before you're scored	10 years before you apply
Minimum	1 year (1,560 hours)	Each full year adds points, up to 5	1 year (1,560 hours), continuous
Where	In Canada only	In Canada (foreign work scores separately)	In Canada or abroad
Occupation	Any TEER 0–3 jobs	Any TEER 0–3 jobs	One occupation (same NOC)
Work while studying	Doesn't count	Doesn't count	May count

How this calculator counts

Our method, in plain terms

Hours are spread over the days you worked
Each job adds its weekly hours evenly across every day from start to end. IRCC counts actual hours, so if your hours varied, use your average and check your pay stubs.
30 hours a week, all jobs combined
Overlapping jobs never add more than 30 hours a week. IRCC: "We don't count any hours you work above 30 hours/week."
Windows end the day before you apply
The 3-year CEC window and the 10-year CRS window are counted back from the date you choose. Change it to see where you'll be on a future draw date.
Ongoing jobs keep counting
If you still work somewhere, the calculator projects your hours forward to give the date you reach 1,560 hours or the next CRS year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Keep going

Add French to your Canadian experience

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