Immigrate
Immigrate to Canada
Express Entry
Provincial Nominee Program
Related Searches
Canadian Experience Class
Table of Contents
About CEC
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program administered under Canada’s Express Entry system for individuals who have already worked in Canada. In simple terms, the CEC is a program that enables you to obtain permanent residency based on skilled work experience gained while living and working in Canada.
Who is it for?
The CEC is intended for:
- Temporary foreign workers who have worked in Canada.
- International graduates who have acquired acceptable Canadian work experience following graduation.
- Individuals who are already at ease in the Canadian work environment and society
Eligibility Criteria
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) has a straightforward set of eligibility requirements focused on an applicant’s skilled work experience gained in Canada.
Meeting these requirements is essential to qualify for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
1. Canadian Work Experience
- Have a minimum of 1 year of work experience (minimum of 1,560 hours) in Canada in the last 3 years prior to the application.
- Have work experience in occupations listed in NOC as TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
- Acquire work experience while being authorized to work in Canada.
- Earned through paid jobs (wages or commission). Unpaid internship/volunteer work does not apply.
2. Language Requirements
Candidate must appear in an approved English/French test and should meet the following requirement for CLB levels to qualify:
- CLB 7 in case of TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation.
- CLB 5 in case of TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupation.
The minimum score must be met in all four abilities:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
3. Education
No minimum education requirement for CEC. Canadian or foreign educational qualifications may be used to boost your CRS score for Express Entry, though.
4. Admissibility
Candidate must be admissible to Canada (medical, criminal and security requirements apply).
5. Intention to Live Outside Quebec
- You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
- Work experience gained in Quebec may still be counted if you intend to settle elsewhere in Canada.
Important Exclusions
☒ Self-employment (except certain physician exemptions)
☒ Work experience obtained while attending school full-time (most co-op experiences and internships)
☒ Unpaid work experience
Application Process for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) as an International Student
For those seeking to immigrate to Canada as an international student, the process involves the following steps. The application process for International Students using the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is as follows.
Step 1: Finish Your Studies in Canada
Complete a course of study from an eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Although education is not a direct requirement for CEC, it can help you secure a work permit and enhance your Express Entry profile.
Step 2: Obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Get a Post-Graduation Work Permit after graduation to get valuable work experience in Canada.
Step 3: Gain Eligible Canadian Skilled Work Experience
To obtain eligible Canadian skilled work experience, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Engage in a skilled occupation in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
- You need to have a minimum of one year (1,560 hours) of qualifying paid work experience in the past three years to qualify for CEC.
Step 4: Take an Approved Language Test
The next step is to take an Approved Language Test.
Pass an acceptable English or French language assessment (IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, TEF Canada, TCF Canada) with the necessary Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) rating.
Step 5: Establish an Express Entry Profile
Fill out an Express Entry profile and share information on your educational background, work experience, language proficiency, and more. If you qualify, you’ll be added to the Express Entry pool.
Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
After completing Step 5, you will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for admission to the program.
Express Entry draws may issue an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to candidates who have a competitive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for permanent residence.
Step 7: Submit Your Permanent Residence Application
Once awarded an ITA, submit a full application for permanent residence with all supporting documents, police certificates, medical examinations and proof of work experience.
Step 8: Receive a Decision and Become a Permanent Resident
After IRCC has reviewed and accepted your application, you will receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can officially become a Canadian permanent resident.
Application Process for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) as a Temporary Foreign Worker
Step 1: Obtain Legal Authorization to Work in Canada
Begin working in Canada under a valid work permit or other authorized status that allows you to gain eligible Canadian work experience.
Step 2: Obtain Skilled Work Experience in Canada
You need to have at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of paid work experience in the last 3 years in a skilled occupation associated with NOC TEER 0, 1, or 2 while in Canada with legal work status.
Step 3: Undergo an Approved Language Assessment
You need to take an approved language assessment such as the IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada and meet the language requirements for the TEER category of your occupation.
Step 4: Collect Essential Documents
Mainly, this step will involve collating language assessment results, the record of your work experience, your passport, education credentials (if required), and other documents that will support your profile in the Express Entry.
Step 5: Create an Express Entry Profile
You must submit your Express Entry application and provide details of your work experience in Canada, language skills, education, and other factors of your eligibility. Upon assessment, you will be entered in the Express Entry pool if eligible.
Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
An Express Entry draw will send an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to candidates with high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.
Step 7: Submit Your Permanent Residence Application
Candidates must submit a permanent residence application to IRCC once they have received an ITA. This application has to include all documents, police certificates, medicals, and proof of Canadian work experience.
Step 8: Receive a Decision and Become a Permanent Resident
After your application is approved by IRCC, you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), and you can now apply to change your status from temporary to permanent resident.
Why Choose Neximm Immigration
◆ Expert Immigration Guidance
Your CEC journey is guided by our experienced team, who are knowledgeable in Canadian immigration policies and procedures, providing you with accurate and reliable advice at every stage.
◆ Tailored Solutions for Your Profile
All applications are treated individually. We assess your skills, work experience, and immigration goals and develop a strategy to meet your objectives.
◆ End-to-End Case Management
We offer all the support you need, from determining eligibility to preparing documents and submitting your application.
◆ Thorough Application Review
Your application and supporting documents are thoroughly reviewed to ensure that you have the best chance to make a correct application and avoid unnecessary delays.
◆ Clear and Consistent Updates
We keep you updated throughout your application process and maintain open lines of communication on important developments, timelines and next steps.
FAQs
1. Can I apply for Canada PR with 5.5 band?
In order to prove English language proficiency for Canada PR purposes, you are expected to sit an officially recognized test such as IELTS. Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the minimum requirement is CLB 7, which corresponds to a score of 6.0 in all IELTS modules.
2. When was the last draw for the Canadian Experience Class?
The latest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw took place on May 27, 2026, when 3,000 ITAs were issued to eligible candidates. The minimum CRS score in this draw was 518 points.
3. What is the cut-off score for the Canadian Experience Class?
The lowest CRS cut-off score in a Canadian Experience Class draw was recorded at 515 points, whereas the highest cut-off score reached was 547 points.