Part-time work in Canada counts towards Express Entry experience if it meets IRCC’s definition: a minimum of 15 hours per week. Part-time work experience can be combined with full-time work and even with different NOC codes—what matters is correctly calculating the total hours.
How IRCC Counts Part-Time Work Hours
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) requires a minimum of one year of eligible experience, which is 1,560 hours. Part-time work counts if it is at least 15 hours per week. For example, if a worker spent six months working part-time at 15 hours per week, that equals 390 hours (15 hours × 26 weeks). If they then spent nine months working full-time at 30 hours per week, that equals 1,170 hours (30 hours × 39 weeks). Together, this is 1,560 hours—exactly what IRCC requires for one year of experience.
Important: IRCC does not count more than 30 hours per week, even if a person worked at multiple positions simultaneously. If each was counted separately, the total could exceed the limit, but IRCC will count a maximum of 30 hours per week.
Can You Combine Different Positions and NOC Codes
Part-time and full-time work can be combined to meet experience requirements, even if they were different positions. For example, six months of part-time work in one NOC code and nine months of full-time work in another NOC code—both periods can count if they don’t overlap in time. The key requirement is that both positions must fall within NOC codes allowed for CEC (levels 0, 1, 2, 3).
What Requirements Must Be Met
Having 1,560 hours alone is not enough for Express Entry. The work must be authorized and paid. Additionally, experience gained while in full-time studies is generally not counted for CEC. You must also meet other Express Entry criteria: language requirements, education, and other program conditions. One year of work experience alone does not guarantee an invitation—it is one factor that affects your CRS score, but there are other components the rating system considers.
How Part-Time Work Affects Your CRS Score
If all conditions are met—experience in eligible NOC codes, authorized work, required number of hours—part-time work experience adds CRS points for Canadian work experience. This can improve your profile rating and increase your chances of receiving an invitation in the next Express Entry draw.
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