Working Experience in India and Canada: CRS Points Eligibility

When applying for Canadian Permanent Residency through the Express Entry program, one of the key factors in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the evaluation of your work experience. This article will help you understand how your work experience, both in India and Canada, will be assessed for CRS points. Specifically, it addresses whether a gap in work experience within the same company in India will affect your CRS points.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Overview

The CRS is designed to assess and rank candidates based on their skills, education, and work experience. The system awards points based on various factors, with higher scores increasing your chances of being selected for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Canadian Work Experience

You have 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada. This experience is immediately counted towards your CRS points.

Indian Work Experience

Regarding your experience in India, even though there is a 2-month gap between 6 and 10 months, you can still accumulate CRS points for the full duration of your work, as long as you have at least 1 year of continuous skilled work experience in a single job.

Points Calculation for Indian Work Experience

For every year of skilled work experience outside of Canada, the CRS awards points. If you worked full-time for a total period of one year or more in India, you can get up to 50 CRS points. This means that your Indian work experience can significantly contribute to your overall score.

Combining Canadian and Indian Work Experience

By combining your Canadian and Indian work experience, you may be eligible for additional points under the 'Foreign Work Experience' category. This would enhance your CRS score and increase the likelihood of receiving an ITA.

Misconceptions and Clarifications

Some applicants are concerned about how gaps in work experience might affect their CRS points. However, the CRS typically evaluates the total duration of skilled work experience, regardless of gaps, as long as the gaps are explained and do not exceed a reasonable period (which is usually around 3 months for each gap).

The statement that 'CRS points are the same for any professional with experience above 3 years' is generally true. Any experience beyond 3 years will be considered equally for CRS points, so having 1-2 years of experience compared to 3 years may result in fewer points, but it does not necessarily disqualify you from applying. Therefore, it is advisable to apply without hesitation, and you can always refine your application based on trial and error.

In conclusion, both your Canadian and Indian work experience will contribute to CRS points for the purpose of the Express Entry program, as long as each period meets the eligibility criteria for skilled work experience. The minor gap in your Indian work experience will not disqualify you from receiving points, and you should still apply for your Canadian Permanent Residency.