The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the immigration programs under the Express Entry system. It is designed for skilled workers who have gained work experience in Canada and wish to become permanent residents. This program is ideal for foreign workers who have been legally working in Canada as temporary residents, allowing them to smoothly transition to permanent residency without needing to leave the country.
Join Phan Immigration as we explore more about the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) in the article below.
Reasons to Choose the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an initiative by the Government of Canada in collaboration with provincial authorities, designed to attract and retain highly skilled foreign workers and support their long-term settlement in the country.
Foreign workers who wish to immigrate to Canada through the CEC program can benefit in the following ways:
- CEC candidates have a competitive edge by combining factors such as Canadian work experience, educational background, age, and the ability to build professional and social networks within Canada.
- Work experience in Canada contributes to a higher score in the Express Entry system, thereby increasing the chances of receiving permanent resident status.
- Successful candidates under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) often obtain permanent residency within as little as six months.
- Applicants are not required to provide proof of financial support to IRCC when applying for permanent residence through the CEC.
Eligibility Requirements for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program
Canadian Work Experience
Applicants must have accumulated at least one year of work experience in Canada within the three years prior to submitting their application. This experience can be counted in various ways, as shown below:
| Type of Canadian Work Experience | Requirement |
| Full-time work in a single job | At least 30 hours per week for 12 consecutive months (a total of 1,560 hours). |
| Part-time work in one or multiple jobs | At least 15 hours per week over 24 months. Multiple part-time jobs can be combined to reach 1,560 hours. |
| Full-time work in multiple jobs | At least 30 hours per week for 12 consecutive months (a total of 1,560 hours). |
Language Proficiency
Applicants must meet the following minimum language requirements:
- CLB 7 for jobs under NOC TEER 0 (management) and TEER 1 (highly skilled professions).
- CLB 5 for jobs under NOC TEER 2 and TEER 3 (technical or skilled trades).
Language test results must include all four competencies: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Language certification details must be accurately entered in the Express Entry system.
Note: Language test results are valid for only two years from the test date. Applicants must ensure their test results remain valid at the time of submission.
Educational Qualifications
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program does not require applicants to have a specific level of education. However, to improve their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and overall ranking in the Express Entry pool, applicants may:
- Hold a Canadian secondary, post-secondary, or graduate-level diploma or degree.
- Possess a foreign educational credential, accompanied by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an organization designated by IRCC.
Including educational qualifications can enhance an applicant’s competitiveness and increase their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Eligible Occupations
According to Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC), eligible work experience under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) must fall into one of the following categories:
- NOC TEER 0 – Management occupations, including senior-level managerial roles across various sectors.
- NOC TEER 1 – Professional occupations requiring a university degree or specialized certification, such as doctors, engineers, accountants, etc.
- NOC TEER 2 & TEER 3 – Skilled trades or technical occupations requiring a college diploma, trade certification, or significant industry experience.
Note: Applicants may accumulate experience from multiple jobs, as long as they fall under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 as classified by the Canadian system.
Additional Requirements
In addition to meeting the criteria for work experience, education, and language proficiency, applicants for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) must also fulfill residency and admissibility conditions in Canada.
- Must have legal residence status and not be in violation of Canadian immigration laws.
- Must not be inadmissible to Canada, such as due to a criminal record or serious medical issues.
- Must not reside in the province of Quebec, as Quebec operates its own skilled worker immigration program.
Note: Individuals who are not eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) include:
- Asylum seekers in Canada.
- Unauthorized workers, including those working without a valid permit.
- Individuals who gained work experience during a period without legal temporary resident status, including those whose visa or work permit had expired.
Application Process for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) evaluates applicants based on multiple factors, including work experience, educational background, language proficiency, and more. If an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued, the applicant must submit a complete application to IRCC within the specified deadline. The typical processing time is around 6 months or less.
Here is the step-by-step process for applying to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
- Step 1: Check your eligibility, including work experience, occupation classification under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, and legal residency status in Canada.
- Step 2: Complete a language test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF) and obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you hold a foreign degree.
- Step 3: Create an Express Entry profile in the IRCC system and provide full details about your work experience, education, and language skills.
- Step 4: Monitor your Express Entry status and wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency from IRCC.
- Step 5: If you receive an ITA, submit a complete permanent residence application, including police clearance, medical examination results, and an employment reference letter.
Required Documents for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program
When applying for the CEC program, applicants must ensure all documents are thoroughly prepared to facilitate a smooth and efficient review process.
Language Test Results:
- Submit a valid English (IELTS, CELPIP) or French (TEF, TCF) language certificate.
- Test results must be obtained within two years prior to submitting the permanent residence application.
Employment-Related Documents:
- Employment contract clearly stating job details.
- Reference letter from the employer, including job title, roles and responsibilities, hours worked, and employment period.
- Pay stubs, supervisor’s business card, reference letters from colleagues, or any additional proof of employment (if available).
Education Documents:
- If your degree was obtained outside of Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an IRCC-approved organization is required.
Passport and Travel Documents:
- A valid passport covering the entire processing period of your application.
Proof of Legal Residency in Canada:
- Documents showing that you have legally lived and worked in Canada during the period of qualifying work experience.
FAQs About the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
How can CEC applicants improve their CRS score in Express Entry?
If your CRS score is low, your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) decrease. To improve your score, you can:
- Improve your language scores: Aim for CLB 9+ in IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF to significantly boost your score.
- Add educational credentials: Earning an additional degree or obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for a foreign qualification can increase your score in the education category.
- Gain more Canadian work experience: Having at least one year of full-time work experience with a valid permit can raise your score.
- Get a Provincial Nomination (PNP): Being nominated through a PNP adds 600 CRS points—almost guaranteeing an ITA.
- Secure a valid job offer from a Canadian employer: This can increase your score by 50 to 200 points, depending on the occupation’s NOC level (0, A, or B).
- Leverage your spouse’s profile: If your spouse has strong language skills, education, or Canadian work experience, it can help improve your total CRS score.
Does the CEC program require proof of funds?
Unlike many other Canadian immigration programs, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) does not require applicants to provide proof of financial support. This makes CEC a more accessible option for individuals who have Canadian work experience but may not meet financial requirements.
Can I change employers while on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
Yes. If you’re an international graduate holding a PGWP, you can switch employers and still be eligible for the CEC program, as long as you accumulate the required Canadian work experience.
A PGWP is an open work permit, allowing you to work for any employer in Canada without being tied to a specific company.
Does my Canadian work experience need to be related to my field of study to qualify for CEC?
No, your work experience doesn’t need to relate to your education. However, it must meet these criteria:
- Must fall under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Must include at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work within the past three years.
- Experience must have been gained in Canada.
- You must have held a valid work permit during the period of employment.
Can I qualify for the CEC if I’m currently living outside Canada?
No. The CEC requires work experience in Canada. Therefore, you are not eligible to apply for CEC if you do not have qualifying Canadian work experience, even if you’re living outside the country.
Can freelance or student work experience count toward CEC eligibility?
Freelance work experience:
It may count if:
- You can prove that your freelance work was legal and that you earned income (e.g., contracts, invoices, receipts, tax filings).
- The job falls under NOC TEER 0, 1, or 2.
- The work was performed in Canada.
- You held a valid work permit during that time.
Student work experience:
- Not eligible: Full-time work completed as part of your academic program is not accepted.
- May be eligible: Part-time work while studying, if done with a valid work permit, may count—provided the job falls under NOC TEER 0, 1, or 2.
Does internship experience in Canada count toward the CEC program?
No. Internship experience in Canada generally does not count toward eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.
Through this article, Phan Immigration has provided a comprehensive overview of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. This pathway is ideal for individuals who have already worked in Canada and adapted to life in the country. It offers a streamlined route for temporary foreign workers to transition to permanent resident status efficiently and conveniently.
