Can a current international student in Canada apply for Express Entry?

[andrucastillo]

I'm an international student in Canada(Alberta). Currently, I'm in my second year of a Master Degree. Can I apply for an EE? or I have to wait for my PGWP and then follow normal procedures?

Qualities:
- 1.5 year of professional experience in my home country.
- 8.5 IELTS overall.
- 28 years old / Single.

Doubts:
- I worked as a Research Assistant (RA) for 9 months for 9hours/week, total = 324hours. This one was on the side, not part of my Graduate Research, for that reason I have a letter from the university. Can this count as a Canadian work experience?

I score 449 points in a quick EE calculation.

 

[DelPiero07]

I'm an international student in Canada(Alberta). Currently, I'm in my second year of a Master Degree. Can I apply for an EE? or I have to wait for my PGWP and then follow normal procedures?

Qualities:
- 1.5 year of professional experience in my home country.
- 8.5 IELTS overall.
- 28 years old / Single.

Doubts:
- I worked as a Research Assistant (RA) for 9 months for 9hours/week, total = 324hours. This one was on the side, not part of my Graduate Research, for that reason I have a letter from the university. Can this count as a Canadian work experience?

I score 449 points in a quick EE calculation.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=855&top=6

You can create your profile as long as you meet the eligibility requirements of FSW (67 out of 100 points).

Since you haven't completed your masters you'll have to get your educational credentials assessed (if you did your bachelors back home).

 

[bellaluna]

Doubts:
- I worked as a Research Assistant (RA) for 9 months for 9hours/week, total = 324hours. This one was on the side, not part of my Graduate Research, for that reason I have a letter from the university. Can this count as a Canadian work experience?

You would need at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience (1,560 hours) before it can count for anything, even in the Skill Transferability criteria.

Also, if you're applying for CEC (although right now you only can qualify for FSW), work experience while you were a full-time student cannot be counted.