Planning to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) requires careful tracking of your skilled Canadian work experience. Many applicants wonder how taking a vacation or other leave impacts the required 1,560 hours (equivalent to 30 hours per week over 12 months) of Canadian work experience within the three years before applying. Understanding how IRCC evaluates time off ensures your PR application meets all eligibility requirements.
Statutory Holidays
Statutory holidays are counted as part of qualifying CEC work experience, even if you do not work on those days. Canada recognizes five national statutory holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Christmas Day
Employees governed by federal law may also have additional holidays, such as Easter Monday, Victoria Day/National Patriots’ Day, Truth and Reconciliation Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, and Boxing Day.
Provincial holidays, such as Islander Day in Prince Edward Island or Nunavut Day in Nunavut, are also counted toward work experience when they fall under your employment terms.
Extended Vacations and How they Affect PR Eligibility
1. Vacation of Up to Two Weeks
A two-week paid vacation is generally considered reasonable and included in your Canadian work experience. Both domestic and international vacations count, provided your employment is eligible, and you are authorized to work in Canada. Unpaid vacations, however, do not contribute to your 1,560-hour requirement.
2. Vacation Longer Than Two Weeks
Extended vacations beyond two weeks are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. IRCC considers the total work experience and the reasonableness of time off. For paid extended vacations, officers may include the time toward their CEC eligibility, but accumulating extra work hours before submission is recommended to avoid falling short of the required hours.
3. Longer Absences and Leaves
Long leaves, such as parental leave, extended unpaid leave, or sabbaticals, are not counted toward the minimum 1,560 hours. Even if your employment status remains active, you must accumulate additional work hours upon returning to meet eligibility criteria. Applicants taking long absences may need to delay their PR submission until the required hours are satisfied.
4. Working Remotely Outside Canada
Time spent working remotely from outside Canada does not qualify as Canadian work experience, even if employed by a Canadian company. IRCC requires that all qualifying CEC experience be gained while physically present in Canada and authorized to work there. Remote work abroad, even during paid leave, cannot be included in your total hours.
CEC Skilled Work Experience Criteria
To qualify under CEC, your work must meet these requirements:
- Be classified under TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3 of Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
- Be completed in Canada with proper work authorization.
- Demonstrate tasks listed in the NOC lead statement and most key duties.
- Paid employment, unpaid work, or volunteering is not eligible.
- Accumulate 1,560 hours within three years before your PR application.
TEER levels rank occupations based on education, training, and responsibilities, from TEER 0 (management) to TEER 5 (lowest-skilled work).
Key Takeaway
- Canadian work experience for PR under the CEC allows for reasonable vacation periods, including statutory holidays and short paid vacations.
- Extended leave, unpaid time off, or working remotely outside Canada, however, will not count toward the 1,560-hour requirement.
- Planning vacations wisely and understanding IRCC’s criteria ensures your PR application accurately reflects eligible work experience, improving your chances of a successful outcome.
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