How much does Canadian work experience affect my CRS score?

Canadian work experience is one of the most rewarding factors in the CRS. Points are earned in the core human capital section for each year of skilled Canadian experience (in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation) you have accumulated, with diminishing returns after several years. Beyond the direct experience points, Canadian experience also contributes to skill transferability bonuses — where Canadian experience is combined with education or foreign work experience to award additional points.

For candidates without a provincial nomination or job offer, Canadian experience is often the most impactful "additional" factor they can earn through their own actions while in Canada. Even one year of qualifying Canadian skilled work is enough to claim the Canadian Experience Class and opens CRS points that are not available to purely foreign-experience candidates.

For international students already in Canada, transitioning from a post-graduation work permit to skilled employment as quickly as possible — in a NOC TEER 0–3 position — is strategically significant. Working in a TEER 4 or 5 role (lower-skill positions) does not add core human capital points, though it may still count toward meeting minimum eligibility thresholds in some provincial streams. Speaking with an immigration lawyer can help you ensure your current role is properly classified.