Canada doubles work experience requirement for Express Entry category candidates

Canada has changed the work experience requirement for candidates applying under occupational categories in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada system. As per a CIC News report, from February 18, 2026, applicants must have at least 12 months of work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years to qualify for a category. The experience does not need to be continuous.

Earlier, candidates needed six months of continuous work experience in the past three years to meet the category requirement. The new rule applies to all Express Entry occupational categories.

The update is part of category-based selection under Express Entry. Candidates who qualify under occupational categories have a higher chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence. The revised rule changes how applicants must prove their work history but keeps several core conditions unchanged.


Under the new framework, the 12 months of experience can be completed through full-time or an equivalent amount of part-time work. Full-time work is defined as at least 30 hours per week.

According to the CIC News report, the work experience must have been gained within the past three years and must relate to a single eligible occupation. Candidates can gain this experience in Canada or abroad, unless a specific category requires Canadian experience.

For Canadian work experience, time spent as a full-time student does not count. This includes work completed during a co-op term while enrolled full-time.

The duration requirement applies to total work hours, not to continuous employment. However, the experience must meet all other eligibility rules for the selected category.

Several conditions remain unchanged. The experience must fall within the past three years. It must relate to one eligible occupation. It must meet the full-time standard of at least 30 hours per week, or the equivalent in part-time work. Hours above 30 per week will not be counted.

The department stated that the changes apply to all occupational categories under Express Entry as of the effective date. Category-based selection continues to operate within the broader Express Entry system.

The update is expected to affect candidates preparing profiles under occupational categories. Those who meet the revised requirement may improve their chances of receiving invitations to apply for permanent residence.