Canada PR Special Category Draws: Can You Apply with 6 Months of Experience After ITA?
If you recently received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR under special category draws like healthcare or education — but you only have 6–8 months of experience, this blog is extremely important for you.
At Globexa Immigration, we are seeing many candidates confused because they received ITAs despite not meeting the updated experience requirement. Let’s break down the reality clearly.
1. Can You Apply for Canada PR Special Category Draws with 6 Months of Experience?
Short Answer: NO.
Even if you have received an ITA, you cannot proceed with your application unless you meet the updated eligibility criteria.
2. What Is the Latest IRCC Update?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the eligibility requirements for special category draws.
Earlier, candidates could qualify with 6 months of work experience.
Now, the requirement is:
✅ At least 1 year (12 months) of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) within the last 3 years in the same NOC code.
This applies to category-based draws including:
Healthcare
Education
STEM
Trades
Agriculture & Agri-Food
Transport
Even if the system issued you an ITA with 6 months of experience, the official rule clearly mentions 1 year is mandatory.
3. Why Are People Still Receiving ITAs with 6 Months?
Recently, in a healthcare draw where around 4,000 invitations were issued, several candidates (including some of our clients) received ITAs with only 6 months of experience.
This appears to be a technical glitch in the system.
However, the eligibility section under the draw details clearly states:
You must have acquired at least one year of work experience within the previous 3 years in the same NOC code.
So even if you received an ITA — if you don’t meet the 1-year requirement — your application will be refused after submission.
4. Should You Submit Your PR Application with 6–8 Months Experience?
Absolutely not.
If you proceed:
Your application will likely be refused
You will lose time and money
Your effort and documentation work will go to waste
Instead:
Decline the ITA
Wait until you complete 1 year of eligible experience
Apply when fully eligible
5. What Type of Experience Is Considered Valid?
Here is what qualifies under the updated rule:
1 year total experience in the last 3 years
Can be inside or outside Canada
Can be full-time or equivalent part-time
Can be in parts (not necessarily continuous)
Must be under the same NOC code
For example:
4 months in one organization
5 months in another
3 months somewhere else
If all fall under the same NOC code and total 12 months within 3 years — you qualify.
Continuity is no longer mandatory, but the NOC consistency is critical.
6. Where Is This Mentioned?
To verify:
Visit the official Express Entry rounds page.
Click on the specific draw number (for example, 367, 368, etc.).
Scroll down to the eligibility section.
You will clearly see the requirement of 1 year experience within the last 3 years.
The condition is officially published — even if the system glitch issued ITAs incorrectly.
7. What Should You Do Now?
If:
You already have 1 year experience → ✅ Proceed confidently.
You only have 6–8 months → ❌ Do not submit. Wait.
Planning properly is always better than rushing and facing refusal.
8. How We Help at Globexa Immigration
At Globexa Immigration, we do not give generic advice like:
“Just learn French.”
“Become an international student.”
“Try anything.”
Instead, we:
Analyze your exact profile
Find the easiest and most realistic PR pathway
Create a clear roadmap
Help manage complex cases
Even if:
You worked in cash
Employer is not giving experience letter
Employer is not providing NOC justification
There are documentation gaps
We handle such cases strategically and smartly.
Our goal is clarity — not confusion.
9. Need Personal PR Planning?
If you want to:
Understand your real PR chances
Explore category-based draws
Know whether French is actually required for you
Plan your PR step-by-step
You can connect with Globexa Immigration for a proper consultation. We provide clarity and a structured plan tailored to your profile.
Final Advice
Do not proceed with your Canada PR application under special category draws with only 6 months of experience — even if you have received an ITA.
Wait. Complete 1 year. Then apply safely.
A small mistake today can cost you months or years of delay.
If you want expert guidance and a clear roadmap for your Canada PR journey, Globexa Immigration is here to guide you properly.
