Do I get CRS points for work experience outside Canada?

Yes, foreign work experience in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) earns points in the core human capital section of the CRS, though at a lower rate than Canadian work experience. More significantly, foreign work experience also factors into the skill transferability section of the CRS, where it combines with language proficiency or Canadian work experience to unlock bonus points.

To claim foreign work experience points, the experience must be paid employment (not self-employment in some cases — verify current rules with IRCC) in a skilled occupation. You must also be able to document this experience with reference letters, pay stubs, contracts, or other evidence when you submit your application after receiving an ITA.

The skill transferability matrix rewards candidates whose foreign experience is complemented by strong language skills (at or above CLB 7 or CLB 9, depending on the tier) or by Canadian work experience. A candidate with three or more years of skilled foreign work experience and a high CLB score can earn a meaningful transferability bonus even without Canadian experience. Understanding exactly how your foreign experience interacts with your language and education scores in the transferability calculation is worth reviewing in detail — a lawyer or regulated consultant can help you model this.