Unsure if Research Assistant Experience Counts Toward PR Eligibility

Posted by StrongValley640Jul 28, 202618 views0

I'm looking for some guidance because I'm getting mixed information online. I recently completed my Master's in Engineering in Alberta and I'm in the process of applying for my PGWP. My department has offered me a full-time Research Assistant position for one year, and there's a good chance they'll encourage me to continue into a PhD afterward. I'm trying to figure out how this would affect my permanent residence options. Does full-time paid Research Assistant experience count as eligible Canadian work experience for PR programs such as Express Entry or Alberta's provincial pathways? Or would I still be better off moving into a regular engineering role to build qualifying work experience? For context: * Master's degree completed in Alberta. * Applying for a PGWP. * Fluent in English. * Less than one year of foreign skilled work experience. Also, are there any immigration streams or targeted draws in Alberta that tend to benefit university researchers or academic employees, or is industry experience generally the stronger path? I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been in a similar situation or has experience with this. Thanks!

1 Reply

EagerCitizen65626 days ago

A Research Assistant position may count as Canadian work experience, but it depends on your actual job duties and the immigration program you apply under. For Express Entry, the key factor is whether your RA role matches an eligible NOC code and meets the requirements for skilled work experience. The job title alone does not decide this — your duties, hours, and employment letter are very important. Also, if the position is considered part of your studies, it may not qualify. I would suggest checking your RA duties against the NOC description rather than only looking at the title. For Alberta, it is worth exploring AAIP options, but engineering jobs in industry may give you a more straight forward PR pathway because they are easier to match with established NOCs. Your Canadian Master's degree and strong English score already put you in a good position. I would compare both options carefully before deciding between research/PhD and industry experience.