International students sometimes assume that any full-time work they do while in Canada — including hours worked during studies under study permit rules — automatically builds Canadian work experience for Express Entry. Group members clarified that this isn't the case.
Key points from the thread:- Working full time as a student (including during scheduled breaks) does not count toward Canadian work experience for Express Entry, even though study permit rules may allow it. This work is authorized for the student's own income/study purposes, not for immigration points.
- Only work done after you receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — once your studies are complete — counts toward Canadian Experience Class or Express Entry points.
Historical note: temporary policy changes around student work-hour caps (e.g., the removal of the 20-hour/week limit during studies) have shifted over time, so always confirm the current IRCC rule for allowed study-period work hours separately from whether that work counts for immigration purposes — these are two different questions.