In Episode 167 of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry dive into one of the trickiest parts of Express Entry: properly claiming Canadian work experience under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

What sounds simple—just “a year of work”—is actually a legal and technical maze. From self-employment issues and vacation rules to miscalculating hours and unauthorized work, this episode breaks down exactly what qualifies, what doesn’t, and how to avoid being found ineligible or worse—misrepresenting your case.

🎓 With new draws targeting educators and healthcare workers, knowing how to correctly count your experience is more important than ever.

Key Topics Discussed

🚫 Why self-employment doesn’t count for CEC (and how it catches many off guard)
📊 How to properly calculate 1,560 hours—even with part-time or multiple jobs
🌍 Foreign vs. Canadian work experience: why you can’t count both in the same week
📅 The impact of vacation time—what counts as “reasonable” paid leave
🧾 Why unauthorized or premature work (especially post-grad) won’t qualify
📜 How to match your work permit’s NOC code with your actual job duties
🏙️ Quebec-based work is fine—if you prove intent to live elsewhere in Canada

Key Takeaways
✅ Only authorized, paid, high-skilled Canadian work counts toward CEC
✅ Max 30 hours/week counts—regardless of how many jobs you hold
✅ Vacation must be paid and reasonable; unpaid time won’t qualify
✅ Watch for unauthorized work or early post-grad employment
✅ Get your job’s NOC code right—or risk refusal and misrepresentation

💬 Quotes from the Episode
📢 Mark: “The system might give you an ITA—but if the law says your work doesn’t count, it’s over.”
📢 Alicia: “Every detail matters—one wrong assumption can unravel your application.”

Links and Resources

Watch this episode on YouTube

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Disclaimer

This episode provides general information about Canadian immigration and is not intended as legal advice. For personalized assistance, consult an immigration lawyer.