How IRCC Assesses Skilled Work Experience in Express Entry: TEER Duties, Duration, and Proof

Express Entry success depends on more than simply stating your employment history. Immigration officers evaluate how IRCC assesses skilled work experience through the lens of TEER categories, duties performed, the duration of employment, and the credibility of your evidence. If your duties do not align with the claimed occupation, or if your documentation is weak, you risk a refusal even if everything in your profile was declared in good faith.

This guide explains how immigration officers analyze skilled work experience, what documentation matters most, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that trigger procedural fairness or refusal. If you would like a lawyer to evaluate your work experience before you submit, you can contact us through the Zohil-Morton Law Contact Page or learn more about our permanent residence services and Express Entry representation.

IRCC Evaluates Skilled Work Experience Using TEER Categories

Express Entry considers only skilled work performed in occupations classified as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. To qualify, your experience must meet three criteria:

• It must be genuine paid work, not volunteer or nominal employment
• It must involve duties substantially aligned with the TEER role claimed
• It must be continuous for at least one year full-time (or equivalent part-time)

This evaluation is not based on job titles. An officer will disregard job titles that do not match the nature of the duties performed. A role labeled “Manager” with junior-level tasks will not be accepted as TEER 0 or 1 simply because of its title.

Duration: Minimum One Year of Skilled Work Experience

For most Express Entry pathways, work experience must be:

• At least 12 months of full-time (30+ hours/week)
• Or equivalent part-time (for example, 15 hours/week for 24 months)

The duration must be continuous. If you leave the position, change to a non-skilled role, or move into duties that no longer match the TEER category, that period may not count. Overlapping employment is permitted if both roles meet the skilled work standard; however, officers will scrutinize hours to ensure they are realistic and physically possible.

Duties Are the Core of the Assessment

IRCC compares your duties against the official TEER occupation description. This comparison determines whether the work counted as skilled work in your claimed field. Strong files show that duties:

• Reflect the real responsibilities of the position
• Match key tasks central to the occupation
• Are consistent with the seniority implied by the title
• Were performed for a meaningful portion of working time

Weak files rely on vague HR confirmations or letters with only job titles and dates. These are often treated as insufficient, even when genuine.

Why Employing TEER Language Is Not Enough

Copy-pasting TEER descriptions into employment letters can harm your application. Officers expect duties to reflect your actual role, not the wording of the occupation standard. If your letter reads like a regulatory checklist rather than real responsibilities, credibility suffers.

Instead, describe the real activities you performed and allow them to naturally overlap with the TEER framework.

Hours per Week: Paid, Realistic, Documented

Officers review the hours listed in your employment letters to determine whether you meet the required thresholds. They will also compare:

• Pay stubs vs stated schedule
• Contracted hours vs actual hours
• Business size and role expectations vs declared workload

If you claim full-time work but your gross wages do not make sense for that schedule and industry, the officer may question the authenticity of the role.

Supporting Documentation Matters More Than Many Candidates Realize

Employment letters remain the core evidence, but IRCC expects consistency across supporting materials. Strong secondary evidence includes:

• Pay statements or payroll records
• Income tax filings (T4s, NOAs, foreign equivalents)
• Employment contracts and offers
• Proof of payment frequency and amounts
• Corporate registrations or business licences for self-employed applicants

If your letter is credible but your pay does not reflect the seniority implied by your duties, the officer may request clarification or refuse the claim.

Self-Employment and Contract Work: A Higher Evidence Standard

Self-employment can be counted, but officers apply a stricter lens. You must prove:

• You performed the skilled work personally
• You were paid for the services rendered
• Your business was real and operational during the period claimed
• Your clients and contracts reflect duties aligned with the TEER role

Invoices, bank deposits, contracts, and tax documents are crucial. Self-employment letters from friends, business partners, or internal referrals carry weaker evidentiary value.

Consistency Across Your File Is Critical

Officers do not review individual documents in isolation. They cross-check:

• Employment letters vs pay records
• TEER duties vs industry expectation for the role
• Start/end dates vs immigration forms and travel history
• Job title vs responsibility level in supporting evidence

If the factual narrative of your file does not hold together, your work experience may be rejected as skilled, even if every document is technically authentic.

What Officers Look For When Files Are Refused

Refusals often stem from:

• Letters with no duties or insufficient details
• TEER-misaligned duties (for example, administrative tasks in a “manager” role)
• Part-time hours reported as full-time without evidence
• Income inconsistent with role or industry norms
• Large duties copied from TEER descriptions without context

In many cases, the candidate’s real work was acceptable, but the evidence failed to prove it. A well-prepared file addresses these risks head-on.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a licensed immigration professional regarding your specific situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions: How IRCC Assesses Skilled Work Experience

Do job titles determine whether my work experience counts as skilled?

No. IRCC assesses duties, not job titles. If your responsibilities do not align with your claimed role, the experience may not qualify.

Can I combine two part-time jobs to meet the one-year requirement?

Yes, if both roles are skilled and the hours are credible. The combined work must equal full-time hours.

Do I need pay stubs if I already have a detailed employment letter?

While not formally mandatory, pay records significantly strengthen credibility. Weak files often fail due to lack of corroboration.

How is self-employment evaluated by IRCC?

Self-employment requires a higher level of proof. You must show that the business was real, the work was skilled, and the income was genuine and tied to your services.