Remote Work Abroad While in Canada Can Now Boost Express Entry Points
In a groundbreaking update that aligns immigration rules with modern work trends, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified that foreign remote work done while living in Canada can help skilled workers increase their Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
This announcement is especially important for dual-job holders, freelancers, and remote professionals seeking permanent residency through Canada’s Express Entry system.
Understanding the Change: Remote Work as Foreign Experience
IRCC has confirmed that skilled foreign nationals living in Canada can claim points for foreign work experience, even if the job was done remotely while inside Canada—as long as the employer is based abroad.
If you are also employed in Canada, both roles can be counted—one as Canadian experience and the other as foreign—potentially earning you extra CRS points under skill transferability factors.
However, your total work experience will still be capped at 30 hours/week for calculating basic eligibility. So juggling multiple full-time jobs won’t fast-track your eligibility period, but it will enhance your score.
What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry is a point-based immigration system that manages applications for three major economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Applicants are scored based on a CRS which includes factors like age, education, language, and work experience.
What’s New? Claiming Canadian and Foreign Work at the Same Time
Here’s how you can now maximize points if you work two skilled jobs:
- Canadian Work Experience: Must be in a NOC TEER 0–3 job and at least 30 hrs/week with a valid work permit.
- Foreign Remote Work: Also must be a skilled job (TEER 0–3), but your employer must be located outside Canada. You must show proof that the work was done remotely.
- Concurrent Jobs Are Acceptable: If you work two full-time jobs (one in Canada and one remote abroad), both can contribute points—but not hours toward eligibility, which is capped at 30 hrs/week.
How Many Points Can You Earn?
You could earn up to:
- 80 CRS points for 3+ years of Canadian work.
- Up to 50 CRS points for foreign work when paired with strong language scores or Canadian education.
Who Benefits?
This rule particularly helps:
- Tech professionals working a Canadian job and freelancing for a US company.
- Freelancers with clients abroad while on a valid Canadian work permit.
- Remote employees working for international companies but residing in Canada.
Required Documents
To successfully claim both types of experience, IRCC will ask for detailed proof:
- Job offer letters/contracts
- Pay stubs or bank transfers
- A letter from the foreign employer confirming the remote nature of the job
- Proof that you’re living in Canada (lease, utility bills, etc.)
Important: You must select the foreign country as the employer’s location on your Express Entry profile—even if you’re working from Canada.
Real-World Scenario
Example: marida works full-time (35 hrs/week) at a Vancouver marketing firm and also 30 hrs/week for a UK-based ad agency.
She earns:
- 70 points for her Canadian job
- 50 points for foreign experience + language proficiency
Total: 120 additional CRS points—a huge boost toward getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA)!
Tips to Maximize CRS Score
- Ace Your Language Test – High IELTS/CELPIP scores = more points
- Pick the Correct NOC Code – Make sure both jobs fall in TEER 0–3
- Get Documents Ready Early – Especially from the foreign employer
- Consult a Lawyer – Especially if you’re unsure about tax or legal compliance
Challenges and Caveats
- The Express Entry portal doesn’t clearly ask about remote work—you’ll need to explain this in your documents.
- Immigration officers assess each case individually—unclear or insufficient paperwork can lead to refusal.
- Managing two full-time roles must look realistic—be prepared to explain your schedule.
Conclusion: Turn Remote Work into a PR Opportunity
This IRCC guidance reflects a flexible and modern approach to immigration. Skilled workers in Canada now have more ways to enhance their Express Entry profile by leveraging remote work for foreign employers.
But success depends on clear evidence, correct classifications, and sometimes professional advice.
If you’re working remotely for a foreign company while living in Canada—this could be your express lane to PR.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
