Yes, paid skilled work on F-1 OPT or STEM OPT can count toward Canada’s Express Entry program. After 12 months of continuous, paid, full-time skilled work, most OPT graduates can meet the Federal Skilled Worker minimum and enter the pool from the US. Your US degree counts too, once it is assessed with an ECA.
If you are watching your OPT clock while waiting on the H-1B lottery, Canada gives you a second plan that does not depend on a random draw. This guide covers what counts, how your profile is scored, and when to act. It sits within our complete guide to moving to Canada from the USA.
Why OPT graduates look at Canada
- No lottery. Express Entry invites candidates by score, not at random.
- No employer sponsor needed. A Canadian job offer is not required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
- You can apply from the US. You keep working on OPT while your profile sits in the pool.
- Your US degree counts, with an ECA.
Does OPT work experience count?
IRCC checks every job you claim against the same tests. Your OPT role must be:
- Paid. Unpaid internships and volunteer work do not count.
- Skilled. It must fall in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Full-time or equivalent. 30 hours a week for 12 months (1,560 hours), or the same total part-time.
- Continuous for Federal Skilled Worker eligibility. At least one year in the same occupation, without a gap.
Post-completion OPT happens after you graduate, so it is normally treated as regular foreign work experience. IRCC also says student work experience, whether gained in Canada or abroad, can count toward Federal Skilled Worker minimums if it meets the same conditions. It does not count for the Canadian Experience Class. For the detailed rules, see how IRCC counts work experience for Express Entry.
Get your US degree assessed
Canada needs an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization to award points for a US degree. Order it early, because transcripts and verification take time. Check your school’s accreditation before you pay. Our guide to Canada PR with a US degree explains which schools and credentials cause problems.
How an OPT graduate’s profile scores
Recent graduates have a structural advantage in CRS: age. Here is an illustrative single applicant, age 26, with a US master’s degree, CLB 9 in every language ability, 1–2 years of OPT experience, and no Canadian experience.
| CRS factor | Points (illustrative) |
| Age (26) | 110 |
| Education (master’s degree) | 135 |
| First official language (CLB 9 × 4 abilities) | 124 |
| Skill transferability: education + language | 50 |
| Skill transferability: foreign work + language | 25 |
| Estimated total | ≈ 444 |
That is a solid profile. It is still below recent Canadian Experience Class cut-offs (above 500 in 2026). Moving to CLB 10 in all four abilities or adding French can close much of the gap. Run your own numbers in our CRS calculator and see Express Entry alternatives for low CRS scores if you fall short.
Timeline: when to act relative to your OPT end date
| When | Action |
| During your final semester | Order your ECA; start language test prep |
| OPT months 1–6 | Take IELTS General, CELPIP-General or PTE Core; aim for CLB 9–10 |
| OPT month 12 | Once you have 12 months of continuous skilled work, create your Express Entry profile |
| STEM OPT period | Stay in the pool; improve your score (French, retests); watch provincial draws |
| After ITA | 60 days to submit a complete PR application |
Plan B: study or work in Canada
If your score is not competitive, Canadian experience changes the maths. Options include a Canadian employer-backed work permit or further study in Canada. Study permits are now capped, and post-graduation work permits have language and field-of-study rules, so get advice before enrolling. If you later land an H-1B, our H-1B to Canada PR guide picks up from there.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for Canadian PR while on OPT?
Yes. Once you have at least 12 months of qualifying skilled work, you can enter the Express Entry pool from the US.
Does STEM OPT count differently from regular OPT?
No. IRCC looks at whether the work was paid, skilled, full-time or equivalent, and continuous, not at the US authorization type.
Do I need a job offer from a Canadian employer?
Not for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. A job offer no longer adds CRS points, but it can matter for some provincial streams.
Does my US master’s degree give me extra points?
Yes, once assessed with an ECA. A master’s degree earns more education points than a bachelor’s degree.
Can I count work I did on CPT during my studies?
Possibly, for Federal Skilled Worker minimums, if it was paid, skilled and continuous. Document it carefully.
