Canadian Experience Class

PR for temporary residents with Canadian work experience.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a fast and popular immigration program for skilled workers who acquired Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents. It is one of the three programs managed by the Express Entry system.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a fast and popular immigration program for skilled workers who acquired Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents. It is one of the three programs managed by the Express Entry system.

 

What is the Canadian Experience Class?

The Canadian Experience Class is designed for individuals who have already established themselves in the Canadian labour market. Unlike other programs that focus on foreign experience or job offers, the CEC is a streamlined pathway to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers who have a strong foundation in Canada.

 

General Requirements

  • Canadian Work Experience: You must have at least one year of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. Your work must be classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.


  • Language Skills: You must take an approved language test and meet a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or CLB 5 for a TEER 2 or 3 occupation.


  • No Proof of Funds: You are not required to show proof of funds to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class.


  • Admissibility: You must not have any criminal records or other issues that would make you inadmissible to Canada. This is a fundamental requirement for all Canadian immigration applicants.

Age

Your age is a major factor in your CRS score. The highest points are awarded to candidates between the ages of 20 and 29.

Spouse's Factors

You can gain additional CRS points if your spouse or common-law partner has strong language skills, Canadian work experience, or a Canadian education.

Education

Although not required, your education significantly boosts your CRS score. Having a Canadian degree or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign education is crucial for a competitive profile.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Receiving a provincial nomination is one of the fastest ways to improve your CRS score, adding 600 points and virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

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Get the help you need to succeed.

Optimize Your CRS Score

We ensure that every possible avenue to increase your CRS score is explored and executed correctly, giving you the highest possible chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Choose the Best Strategy

We assess whether you qualify best under the Canadian Experience Class or one of the other programs managed by Express Entry, ensuring your profile is positioned for success.

Avoid Costly Mistakes 

Our experts meticulously review every detail of your application to avoid inconsistencies, missing paperwork, and other costly mistakes.

Have a Backup Plan

If your CRS score is not high enough, we can help you explore options like Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that might be a better fit.

What is NOC?

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the official system used by the Canadian government to classify jobs based on their duties and the type of work performed. Finding your correct NOC code is the first crucial step in the FSWP process. It determines whether your work experience is considered "skilled" and therefore eligible for Express Entry.


To find your NOC, you should not rely on your job title alone. Instead, use the official NOC website and search for your occupation. Read the "Main Duties" section of the job descriptions to find the one that best matches your responsibilities. This ensures you select the correct code, which is essential for the accuracy of your Express Entry profile.

Find your NOC

Use the official Government of Canada tool to access the complete list of occupations and find the code that matches your work experience.

Young professional gaining Canadian work experience in a lab – ideal candidate for Canadian Experience Class

The CEC Advantage

The Canadian Experience Class is not a points-based program. Instead, it is a pass/fail system based on eligibility. This means that meeting the basic requirements of Canadian work experience and language skills is the only criteria you need to satisfy to enter the Express Entry pool, making it a direct and efficient pathway to permanent residence.

How do I calculate my CRS points?

Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is how the government of Canada ranks you within the Express Entry pool. It is calculated based on your core human capital (age, education, language skills, and work experience). The best way to get an accurate score is to use the official tool on the Canadian government's website and have all of your supporting documents, like language test results ready. 

CEC vs. FSWP vs. FSTP: What's the Difference?

Factor
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Work ExperienceAt least 1 year of skilled work in Canada (in the last 3 years).
At least 1 year of continuous skilled work (in the last 10 years).
At least 2 years of full-time work in a skilled trade (in the last 5 years).
Work Location
Must be in Canada.
Can be anywhere outside of Canada.
Can be in or outside of Canada.
Language
CLB 7 for TEER 0/1; CLB 5 for TEER 2/3.
CLB 7 in all four abilities.
CLB 5 for speaking/listening; CLB 4 for reading/writing.
Education
No education required for eligibility.
Canadian secondary or post-secondary education, or an ECA is required.
No education required, but a credential can boost your CRS score.
Proof of Funds
Not required.
Required, unless you have a valid job offer and are currently working.
Required, unless you have a valid job offer.
Job Offer
Not required.
Not required, but a valid job offer can add significant points.
Required. The job offer must be for at least one year.

Provincial Nomination
& Express Entry

Provinces and territories can nominate candidates from the Express Entry pool through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), giving applicants a major boost in their chances.

Winnipeg skyline representing Provincial Nominee Program boost for Canadian Experience Class applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

No. For CEC, any work done while on a study permit is not eligible—even if it was full-time during scheduled breaks or aligned with a skilled NOC. Only post-graduation work completed under valid work authorization counts toward the 12-month requirement.

Not at all. CEC is not tied to your academic background. As long as your work experience is in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation and meets the hours and documentation requirements, it qualifies.

Yes, but they must all be skilled (TEER 0–3). Hours must add up to 1,560 hours, and you must show proper documentation for each employer. Avoid overlapping roles with conflicting schedules unless you have clean proof of hours.

Generally no—self-employment in Canada under CEC is not eligible unless supported by extraordinary proof and directly tied to employer-employee relationships (rare cases). Most self-employed applicants must qualify under FSW instead.

No. IRCC does not allow accelerated accumulation. You must complete at least 12 months of skilled work in Canada, regardless of weekly hours.

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