What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program, part of Canada's Express Entry immigration system, that allows individuals who have worked in Canada for at least one year to immigrate permanently.

Who is eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?

To be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, applicants must meet the following criteria: 1. Possess at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years, performed while on a valid work permit. 2. The work must fall under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. 3. Plan to live outside the province of Quebec. 4. Meet the required language levels for speaking, reading, listening, and writing as per the job requirements, demonstrated through approved language tests. 5. Work experience gained through self-employment or while being a full-time student does not qualify.

Are language results required to apply for CEC?

Yes, as applicants to Canadian Experience Class need to demonstrate a language proficiency that corresponds to their work experience TEER level, applicants are required to provide language test results to apply.

What documents are needed to apply under the CEC program?

To apply under the CEC program, applicants may need to provide the following documents: Civil documents; Identity and travel documents; Proof of Canadian status; Proof of Canadian tax documents; Proof of language proficiency; ECA report; Post secondary certificates and transcripts; Work experience reference letters; Proof of funds; Proof of relative in Canada; Approved job offer; Police clearances; Medical certificate- some in Canada applicants can use an old Canadian immigration medical examination.

Canadian Experience Class Explained: Your 2026 Guide

Name: Canadian Experience Class
Start: 2026-01-01T13:56:25+00:00
End: 2026-12-31T13:56:29+00:00
Location: Canadian Experience Class

By Indira Duarte

Updated 5 days ago

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Welcome to your comprehensive 2026 guide to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), a key immigration pathway for skilled workers and international graduates with Canadian work experience.

This guide is designed for temporary foreign workers, international graduates, and anyone who has gained skilled work experience in Canada and is seeking permanent residency. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the CEC, including eligibility requirements, the application process, advantages and potential disadvantages, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Whether you are a skilled worker, an international graduate, or a temporary foreign worker, this guide will walk you through eligibility, the step-by-step application process, the benefits and challenges of the CEC, and provide expert answers to your most pressing questions. The CEC matters because it recognizes the value of Canadian work experience and offers a streamlined route to permanent residency for those who have already contributed to the Canadian workforce.

What is Canadian Experience Class?

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the three immigration programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry system, alongside the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Express Entry is a points-based system that manages applications for permanent residence, inviting the highest-scoring candidates to apply in regular draws. The CEC specifically provides a pathway to permanent residence for those who have already gained valuable Canadian work experience, making it an essential route for those looking to build their future in Canada.

To secure your Express Entry invitation, you need the right resources.

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CEC Canada: Advantages

Applications to the Canadian Experience Class program require minimal documentation, leading to quick processing, typically within three to four months.
It is one of the best options for international students after graduation.
CEC applicants are not required to demonstrate proof of settlement funds, unlike FSWC and FSTC candidates.
The CEC does not require candidates to demonstrate proof of funds if they successfully obtain an immigration invitation.
The CEC program allows candidates to apply for permanent residence without needing a job offer.
Applicants can apply for the CEC while remaining in Canada or from outside Canada, as long as they submit their application within three years of leaving their job in Canada.
Thanks to the CEC program, more temporary foreign workers and international students are able to build their futures in Canada.

With these advantages in mind, it’s important to also consider some potential challenges you may face with the CEC program.

CEC Canada: Potential disadvantages

Even if you are eligible to apply under the CEC and are already in the Express Entry Pool, there is no guarantee that you will receive an invitation to apply if your CRS score is below the cut-off required. If your score is below 450, consult our guide on how to increase your CRS score.

Now that you know the pros and cons, let’s move on to the specific requirements and eligibility criteria for the Canadian Experience Class.

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Waiting for a CEC draw?

Are you on the look out for Canadian Experience Class Draws. Be the first to know when they happen by joining the Moving2Canada community. Sign up for our free newsletter to access all the information and resources you need for a successful Express Entry application.

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CEC Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry, you must meet the following requirements:

Be admissible to Canada: Be legally admissible to Canada and have a valid Status in Canada. If you have a criminal background or medical issue, you may be inadmissible to Canada. Consider booking a consultation with one of our recommended Immigration Consultants if you have concerns.
Skilled Work Experience: You must have at least one year or 1,560 hours of full-time (or equivalent part-time) Canadian skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years before you apply.
- Canadian skilled work experience is a key eligibility criterion and must be obtained in a skilled job classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- The one year of skilled Canadian work experience can be accumulated through multiple NOC codes, as long as all roles are skilled jobs and the work was legally obtained while in valid immigration status.
- You must obtain eligible work experience in Canada, meeting the required hours and job classifications as specified by the CEC pathway.
- Work experience gained through self-employment or while studying full-time (such as a co-op work term or internships) does not count towards the CEC requirement.
- Remote work can count towards qualifying experience for CEC, as long as the worker is physically in Canada and employed by a Canadian employer.
Plan to Live Outside Quebec: You must intend to live outside the province of Quebec. If you plan to live in Quebec, consider the Quebec Experience Class.
No Job Offer Required: You do not need a job offer to apply for the CEC.
Language Requirements: You must take an English or French language test designated by IRCC and meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement for your job’s TEER category. Check below for more information about the language test and requirements.

Language Tests Required For CEC

Canadian Experience Class candidates must meet the required language levels needed for the job for each language ability (speaking, reading, listening, and writing). These levels are outlined in the table below:

TEER Category	Minimum level for all four language abilities
TEER 0 or 1	CLB 7
TEER 2 or 3	CLB 5

The following are the IRCC-approved language tests:

CELPIP-General (English)
IELTS-General (English)
TEF (French)
TCF (French)

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Find out if you’re eligible for CEC

To find out if you may be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, head over to our Canadian Experience Class Points Calculator. You’ll discover your eligibility for all three federal economic immigration programs managed under Express Entry, including CEC, plus you’ll get an idea of your potential CRS score and competitiveness within Express Entry.

Use the Canadian Experience Class Points Calculator.

Documents Needed to Apply to the CEC program

To apply under the CEC program, applicants may need to provide the following documents:

Civil documents;
Identity and travel documents;
Proof of Canadian status;
Proof of Canadian tax documents;
Proof of language proficiency;
ECA report;
Post-secondary certificates and transcripts;
Work experience reference letters;
Proof of funds;
Proof of relative in Canada;
Approved job offer;
Police clearances;
Medical certificate- some in Canada applicants can use an old Canadian immigration medical examination.

Depending on individual credentials, applicants may need to show additional documents to those listed above.

Do I need an ECA report?

As education is not a requirement to be eligible for the CEC program, it is not essential to provide an ECA report however, an ECA report is required if an applicant wishes to claim CRS points for education completed outside of Canada.

Recommended

Do you need an ECA report?

An ECA report essential document to increase your chances of coming to Canada. Our partner, the World Education Service or WES is a leading ECA provider for those looking to immigrate to Canada.

Get your ECA report

How to Apply for CEC

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the Canadian Experience Class immigration program, including required work experience, language ability, and other requirements.

Step 2: Gather your documents

Collect all necessary documents, such as language test results, proof of Canadian work experience, and identification. Check here the full list of documents to apply for CEC.

Step 3: Take a language test

Complete an approved language test in English or French and obtain your results.

If you are already in Canada, you can Book you IELTS test here.

Step 4: Create an Express Entry profile

If you meet the eligibility criteria for the Canadian Experience Class, you must create an Express Entry profile on IRCC’s website. This is required to apply for the CEC.

Step 5: Receive a CRS score

Your profile will be ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills.

Step 6: Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your CRS score is high enough, you may receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

Step 7: Submit your application

After receiving an ITA, submit your complete application for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

How long do CEC applications take to process?

According to IRCC’s estimated processing times, CEC applications are currently taking 6 months to process from the time a full application is submitted. This does not include the time taken for the Express Entry profile to receive an ITA.

Canadian Experience Class Application Fees

When applying under the CEC program, applicants will need to pay government processing fees.

On applying, applicants must pay a Processing Fee for the main applicant and spouse included on the application and fees for each dependent child listed in the application.

Applicants must also pay a Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).

Please refer to the table below for the updated fees:

Program	Applicants	New Fee Starting April 30, 2026	Old Fee April 30, 2024
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$600 CAD	$575 CAD
Federal High Skilled (Express Entry) Provincial Nominee Program Atlantic Immigration Class Quebec Skilled Workers Most Economic Pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)	Principal applicant	$990 CAD	$950 CAD
	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$990 CAD	$950 CAD
	Accompanying dependent child	$270 CAD	$260 CAD

The Canadian Experience Class Draws

In addition to all-program draws and category-based Express Entry draws, Canada also holds program-specific draws, such as CEC draws.

During the pandemic, especially, IRCC held Canadian Experience Class draws to target candidates who were likely to already be in Canada. Some 90% of CEC candidates are already in Canada at any given time.

How many points do I need to qualify for the CEC program?

The CEC program is not points-based however once in the Express Entry pool, applicants will receive a CRS score like all other applicants. For this reason, applicants need to make sure they get the most CRS points available to them. In the last CEC program draw, the CRS score was 462 but the CRS cut-off for 2024 has been around 505.

To secure your Express Entry invitation, you need the right resources.

Get free access to news updates, events, and even job postings all designed to help you succeed in Canada

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Your CEC FAQs Answered

Do applicants need to show proof of funds under the CEC program?

No, if an applicant qualifies under the CEC program and receives an ITA under the CEC program, they do not need to demonstrate proof of settlement funds.

Can self-employed work experience be used to qualify under this program?

No, self- employed work experience does not count towards this program. Applicants with self-employed work experience acquired in Canada should look at their eligibility to the Federal Skilled Worker program.

Can work experience acquired on maintained status be used?

Yes, so long as the applicant was on valid maintained status as a worker, any work experience acquired during this time can be used in a CEC application.

Can Remote Work Be Used For CEC?

Yes, remote work can count towards CEC qualifying experience as long as the worker is physically in Canada and employed by a Canadian employer. Any remote work conducted outside Canada cannot be counted as CEC experience.

Do you need a job offer to qualify under the CEC program?

No, a job offer is not required to qualify under the CEC program; however an approved job offer will give applicants additional CRS points.

Can a spouse be included in a CEC application?

Yes, a spouse or common-law partner can be included in an CEC application. In fact, applicants can secure additional CRS points if spouses provides sufficient language results, ECA reports of for their own Canadian work experience.

Is there an age limit to the CEC program?

No, there is no age limit to qualify for the CEC program. Although, the older applicants are, the less CRS points they will get under the age factor. In this case, applicants will need to score higher in the other areas to boost their CRS score.

Can part-time work experience be used for the CEC program?

Yes. For work experience to count, it needs to be full-time or full-time equivalent (part-time) skilled experience. Full-time work experience is classed as 30 hours a week/ 1560 hours a year. Anything below this is considered part-time. To work out the full- time equivalent to part-time work, divide the number of hours worked a week by 30 and times by the number of months worked. This will give you the number of full-time equivalent months worked.

It is important to know that for the purpose of CEC, any hour worked after 30 hours a week do not count. For instance, if you have 10 months of experience but have worked over 1560 hours, you are only eligible for the CEC program once you have at least 12 months of experience.

Can work experience acquired as a student be used?

No, Canadian work experience acquired as a student in Canada cannot be used under the CEC program. In this case, check your eligibility under the FSW program

Get help with your CEC Application

Do you need assistance in preparing an application for Canadian permanent residence? If so, view our Book an Immigration Consultant page to see Moving2Canada’s list of recommended, accredited representatives who can assist you in your goals. Moving2Canada and its recommended consultants are committed to providing as much assistance as possible throughout the consultation and application process, ensuring you receive comprehensive support every step of the way.