Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 2026 Guide

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.

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.

Find out your eligibility and points total here.

Documents Needed to Apply to the CEC program

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

1. Civil documents;
2. Identity and travel documents;
3. Proof of Canadian status;
4. Proof of Canadian tax documents;
5. Proof of language proficiency;
6. ECA report;
7. Post-secondary certificates and transcripts;
8. Work experience reference letters;
9. Proof of funds;
10. Proof of relative in Canada;
11. Approved job offer;
12. Police clearances;
13. 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.

How to apply Step by Step 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.

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. 

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.

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 

Are there any government fees due to apply under the CEC program?

Yes, when applying under the CEC program, applicants will need to pay government processing fees. On applying, applicants must pay a processing fee of CAD $950 for the main applicant and spouse included on the application and CAD $260 for each dependent child listed in the application. Applicants must also must pay a Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) of CAD $575 per adult.

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.