Canadian Experience Class

Your pathway to permanent residence through Canadian work experience

What is the Canadian Experience Class?

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of three federal programs managed through Express Entry. It targets skilled workers who have gained valuable Canadian work experience and want to transition to permanent residence.

Your Canadian work experience is the key factor, making it an ideal pathway for international students and temporary workers already in Canada.

1 Year

Experience Required

No Job Offer

Needed

CLB 5-7

Required

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, you must meet these minimum requirements

Canadian Work Experience

At least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years.

Language Proficiency

Minimum CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, CLB 5 for TEER 2 jobs.

Skilled Work

Work experience must be in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.

Legal Status

Work experience gained while legally authorized to work in Canada.

Qualifying Work Experience

Your Canadian work experience can be gained through various employment arrangements:

Full-time work (at least 30 hours per week)
Part-time work (15 hours per week for 24 months equals 1 year full-time)
Multiple part-time jobs that add up to 30 hours per week
Work experience gained while studying (if you had a valid work permit)
Work experience from co-op terms or internships (if authorized)

Application Process

We guide you through every step of your Canadian Experience Class application

Eligibility Assessment

We evaluate your Canadian work experience and qualifications to determine if you meet CEC requirements.

Document Preparation

We guide you in gathering work experience letters, language test results, and proof of legal status in Canada.

Express Entry Profile

We help you create and submit your Express Entry profile under the Canadian Experience Class stream.

Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Once you receive an ITA, we assist with completing your permanent residence application within 60 days.

Application Submission

We review and submit your complete application with all supporting documents to IRCC.

Follow-up & Landing

We monitor your application status and guide you through medical exams, biometrics, and final landing procedures.

Benefits of the Canadian Experience Class

Pathway to Canadian permanent residence for those with Canadian work experience
No need for a job offer or provincial nomination
Ability to include spouse and dependent children in your application
Access to Canadian healthcare and education systems
Freedom to live and work anywhere in Canada
Eligibility for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements

Processing Time

IRCC aims to process most Express Entry applications within 6 months or less from the date of submission. CEC applications often process faster due to the applicant already being in Canada with verified work experience.

CEC FAQ

Common questions about the Canadian Experience Class

Still have questions?

Talk to our team

You need at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada, gained within the three years before you apply, in a qualifying NOC skill level.

No. Your qualifying work experience can be accumulated with one or multiple employers, as long as it's continuous authorized work in an eligible skilled occupation and totals at least 12 months.

Generally, work experience gained while you were a full-time student, including most co-op placements, does not count. Experience gained after graduation on a valid work permit, such as a PGWP, typically does.

CEC is one of the three programs managed through Express Entry. You submit a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score, and if invited, apply for permanent residence — often processed faster given your Canadian experience.