If you have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, the CEC stream under Express Entry could be your pathway to permanent residence.
Overview
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the three federal immigration programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry system. It is designed for skilled workers who have recent Canadian work experience and wish to become permanent residents.
This stream is especially popular with:
● International graduates with a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
● Temporary foreign workers employed in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs
● In-Canada applicants seeking a fast-track PR route with no job offer required
CEC applications are processed through the Express Entry pool and assessed using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Minimum Requirements
To be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, you must meet the following requirements:
● Work Experience:
○ At least 1 year (12 months) of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the last 3 years
○ The experience must be in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
○ Must have been gained while authorized to work in Canada (under temporary resident status)
● Language Proficiency:
○ CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations
○ CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations
○ Results must be from an IRCC-approved language test, valid at the time of application
● Type of Work:
○ The work must be paid — internships and volunteer work are not eligible
○ Self-employment and unauthorized work do not count toward eligibility
● Location Intent:
○ You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec
Education (Optional but Point-Boosting)
CEC does not require you to have a minimum level of education. However, you can increase your CRS score in Express Entry by:
● Completing post-secondary education in Canada
● Providing an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign education
This can improve your rank in the Express Entry pool, especially in competitive draws
Admissibility
You must be admissible to Canada to apply for permanent residence. This includes passing background, criminality, and medical checks.
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply under the Canadian Experience Class:
1. Determine Eligibility : Ensure you meet all CEC criteria (work experience, language, etc.)
2. Create an Express Entry Profile : Submit your personal details, work history, language test scores, and educational information
3. Enter the Express Entry Pool : Receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and compete with other candidates
4. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) : If selected, you will be invited to apply for permanent residence
5. Submit Your PR Application : You have 60 days to submit your complete application and supporting documents to IRCC
6. Wait for a Decision : IRCC will process your application, request any additional documents if needed, and issue a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) if approved
Yes. You can combine part-time work to meet the equivalent of one year full-time (e.g., 24 months at 15 hrs/week = 1 year full-time).
Yes, if all jobs were in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, paid, and completed while authorized to work.
Yes. You can submit your Express Entry profile and PR application from anywhere, as long as your eligible Canadian work experience was gained within the last 3 years.
- TEER 0 or 1: CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0 in each band)
- TEER 2 or 3: CLB 5 (IELTS 5.0 Reading/Writing, 5.5 Listening/Speaking)
Once you receive an ITA and submit your application, the typical processing time is 6 months, although timelines may vary.
No. CEC eligibility requires Canadian skilled work experience. Study alone is not sufficient.
Ready to Turn Your Canadian Experience into Permanent Residency?
Let Sapra Immigration help you assess your eligibility, prepare a competitive Express Entry profile, and guide you through every step of the CEC process.