Boost Your CRS Score with a Smart Work Experience Trick

Are you working in Canada and wondering how to boost your Express Entry CRS score? What if we told you there’s a smart way to gain both Canadian and foreign work experience at the same time—and double your CRS points?

This strategy can increase your score by over 60 points in just one year and significantly improve your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency.

Meet Sanjay – A Real Example

Let’s break it down with a simple story:

• Sanjay Reddy is 28 years old and from India.
• He’s in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
• He works full-time as a Full Stack Developer for a Canadian tech company (NOC TEER 1 job).
• He already has one year of Canadian work experience.

At this stage, Sanjay’s CRS score is 470. Good—but not always enough.

Now here’s the twist:

• Sanjay also takes a remote job for an Indian company, working part-time as a UI Consultant.
• This second job is also in a TEER 1 role and is paid.
• He continues both jobs for one full year while staying in Canada on his valid PGWP.

After one year, Sanjay now has:

✅ 2 years of Canadian work experience
✅ 1 year of foreign work experience (from India)

With this added experience, his CRS score jumps from 470 to 533—a huge boost that makes him much more likely to get an ITA!

How Can You Do This Too?

You can earn Canadian AND foreign work experience at the same time—if you follow the rules:

✅ For Canadian Work Experience:

• Must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and paid
• You must be physically in Canada and working with a valid work permit
• Work must be under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs (skilled level)

✅ For Foreign Work Experience:

• Must be paid and done for a foreign employer
• Can be remote work, but you need to be in Canada while doing it
• Must meet all work authorization and job description rules of that country

👉 Important: Even if you work more than 30 hours/week, only 30 hours/week will count for Express Entry.

So technically, you can work 30 hrs/week for your Canadian job and another 30 hrs/week for a foreign job, and both will count—as long as all other rules are followed.

Which Immigration Program Are You Applying Under?

Here’s a quick guide to what each Express Entry program looks for:

1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Work must be in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
• At least 1 year of Canadian work experience in the last 3 years
• Must have a valid work permit
• Work must be paid

2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• Work must be full-time for 1 year (1,560 hours) in the same job type
• Can be done anywhere in the world, including Canada
• Paid work only
• Work done during full-time studies won’t get CRS points, but can meet minimum criteria

3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

• Must have 2 years of skilled trade experience in last 5 years
• Work must be paid
• Must fall under eligible NOC codes for trades (like electricians, chefs, plumbers, etc.)

How Work Hours Are Counted

Express Entry counts full-time work as:

• 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1,560 hours (1 year)

You can also meet this through part-time:

• 15 hrs/week for 24 months = 1,560 hours

⚠️ Extra hours (above 30/week) don’t give you more experience. You just max out at 1 year per job, per year.

Q1: Can I work two jobs at once in Canada and count both?
Yes, but only one job (up to 30 hrs/week) will count as Canadian experience. The second job, if done remotely for a foreign employer, may count as foreign experience.

Q2: What kind of proof do I need for my foreign job?
You’ll need documents like an employment contract, pay slips, and a remote work agreement to show your foreign job was legitimate.

Q3: Will IRCC accept my remote work for a foreign company?
Yes, if it’s paid, done from Canada, and meets the job duties under the right NOC code. You also need to be properly authorized to work in Canada.

Q4: I worked remotely for a Canadian company while I was abroad. Will that count?
No. Canadian work experience only counts if you were physically in Canada while doing it.

Q5: Can I claim work experience done while studying?
For CRS points—no. For meeting eligibility criteria under FSWP—yes, but still no CRS points.

Boost Your CRS with Smarter Work Planning

Doubling your work experience doesn’t mean working more hours—it means working strategically. Combining eligible Canadian and foreign experience is a game-changer for many skilled workers in Canada.

Want help figuring out your best pathway?
📩 Reach out to Ask Kubeir—we’re here to help you make Canada your new home!

Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today!

📌 If you believe your VISA application should be showcased in the most favorable light when submitting to immigration, feel free to book our services.

📌 To book an appointment with Kubeir – Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, click the “Book Appointment”

📲 You may also reach us at this number for all immigration-related services:

• (+𝟭) 𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟳𝟳𝟳-𝟯𝟳𝟳𝟳 (Canada)
• +971 45 26 4646 (Dubai)

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.