Is Full-Time Work Mandatory for Express Entry Candidates?
How IRCC Counts Full-Time and Part-Time Experience
Summary
Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, applicants must demonstrate at least one year (1,560 hours) of paid, skilled work, which can be accumulated through full-time, part-time, or combined employment. The Canadian Experience Class applies the same 1,560-hour requirement to Canadian work experience, while the Federal Skilled Trades Program requires either a certificate of qualification or a valid full-time job offer of at least 30 hours per week for one year.
On This Page You Will Find:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program Requirements
- Full-Time vs Part-Time Equivalency
- Canadian Experience Class Requirements
- Federal Skilled Trades Program Requirements
- Counting Work Experience Hours
- Eligible vs Ineligible Work Experience
- Conclusion
Federal Skilled Worker Program Requirements
One-Year Experience Threshold
Applicants must show at least one year (1,560 hours) of continuous paid work in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0–3 occupation within the last 10 years.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Equivalency
IRCC defines full-time work as at least 30 hours per week for 12 months, totaling 1,560 hours. However, part-time roles count toward the requirement at any rate, provided the combined hours equal 1,560 within the qualifying period.
Examples of Equivalency
- Full-Time Single Job: 30 hours/week for 52 weeks = 1,560 hours
- Part-Time Combined: 15 hours/week for 104 weeks = 1,560 hours
Canadian Experience Class Requirements
Candidates under the Canadian Experience Class must have one year (1,560 hours) of skilled work experience in Canada in a TEER 0–3 occupation within the last three years. Part-time roles or multiple concurrent jobs may be combined to meet this threshold.
Federal Skilled Trades Program Requirements
Applicants to the Federal Skilled Trades Program need either:
- A valid job offer of paid, full-time employment (30+ hours/week) for at least one year, or
- A certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
Counting Work Experience Hours
IRCC caps counted hours at 30 per week; any hours beyond this are not included in the 1,560-hour total. Part-time hours across multiple jobs may be aggregated, so long as all work is paid and in a qualifying NOC occupation.
Eligible vs Ineligible Work Experience
Only paid employment that matches the duties of your declared NOC occupation counts toward the experience requirement. Volunteer work, unpaid internships, and self-employment are not eligible.
Conclusion
While full-time employment is one clear path to meeting Canada’s Skilled Worker Class work-experience requirement, applicants have flexibility through part-time roles and combined job experiences. The only stream mandating a full-time job offer is the Federal Skilled Trades Program; all other Express Entry categories accept part-time equivalency, provided applicants reach the 1,560-hour threshold within the qualifying period.
