The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a federal Express Entry program for people who have already worked in Canada. If you have one year of skilled Canadian work experience gained legally with work authorization, you can apply for permanent residence (PR) through the CEC. You don't need to show proof of funds, and the program has no education requirement.

In 2026, IRCC regularly holds draws only for CEC candidates — about every two weeks. That makes the CEC one of the main pathways to PR for people who already live and work in Canada on a work permit or after their studies (PGWP).

Who can apply under the CEC

Requirement What you need
Canadian work experience At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of paid work in the 3 years before you apply
Skill level TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Experience can be in more than one job or occupation
Language At least CLB 7 for TEER 0–1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2–3 jobs, in each of the 4 abilities
Education Not required, but earns CRS points
Proof of funds Not required
Where to live Any province except Quebec

What work experience counts

Your experience counts if you:

  • worked in Canada while you had temporary resident status and were authorized to work (a work permit, including a PGWP or an open work permit);
  • were paid wages or commission;
  • performed the main duties of your occupation's NOC description — the lead statement and most of the listed duties.

You can reach 1,560 hours in different ways: 30 hours a week for 12 months at one or more jobs, or part-time, for example 15 hours a week for 24 months. Remote work counts only if you were physically in Canada and working for a Canadian employer.

What doesn't count:

  • work while you were a full-time student, including co-op terms;
  • self-employment (with an exception only for some physicians);
  • volunteer work and unpaid internships;
  • work without authorization.

Problems most often come from reference letters whose duties don't match the chosen NOC code, or from miscounted hours. It's worth checking both before you create your profile.

Language tests and credential assessment

You need a language test for your profile: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core for English, or TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. Results must be less than 2 years old both when you create your profile and when you submit your PR application. Higher results mean more CRS points — language remains the main way to raise your score.

Formally, the CEC has no education requirement. But without an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) you won't get CRS points for education completed outside Canada, so in practice almost everyone needs one. Canadian credentials don't need an assessment.

What CRS score CEC draws require

Over the past year, the cut-off in draws only for CEC candidates has stayed at roughly 507–534 points. Draws take place about every two weeks.

If your score is lower, CEC candidates can also be invited in other draws: category-based draws (healthcare, trades, transport, French and others) and through provincial nominee programs, where a nomination adds 600 points. For people working in Ontario, that mainly means the OINP. IRCC publishes all draw dates and scores on its rounds of invitations page.

How the process works

  1. Take a language test and, if your diploma is from outside Canada, get an ECA.
  2. Find the NOC code for each job and count your hours.
  3. Create an Express Entry profile. It is valid for 12 months.
  4. Receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in a draw.
  5. Within 60 days, submit a complete PR application with documents and pay the fees.
  6. Complete the medical exam and biometrics. The IRCC service standard for Express Entry is 6 months.

If your work permit is expiring while your application is processed, you may be able to apply for a bridging open work permit (BOWP) once IRCC confirms your PR application is complete (acknowledgement of receipt, AOR). If you applied to extend your permit before it expired, you are on maintained status and can keep working under the same conditions until a decision is made.

How much it costs

Since April 30, 2026, the IRCC permanent residence fee is $1,590 for the principal applicant and the same for a spouse, $270 for each child, and biometrics cost $85 per person or $170 per family. On top of that come the language test, credential assessment, medical exam and police certificates.

In spring 2026, IRCC consulted on merging the three federal Express Entry programs into one. For now this is only a proposal: the CEC works under the current rules described above.

How can ViBK IMMIGRATION CONSULTING help you?

We check whether your experience counts for the CEC, choose the right NOC codes, count your hours and CRS points, prepare employer reference letters, create your Express Entry profile and support your case through to permanent residence.

Book a consultation — we will review your situation in detail and find the right program for you.

Canadian Experience Class — PR in Canada for people with Canadian work experience

Want to get PR through the CEC?

Start with a free assessment. Then, during a consultation, we will review your situation and suggest a plan — and we will handle your case all the way to IRCC's decision.

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Canadian Experience Class: frequently asked questions

1How much work experience do I need for the Canadian Experience Class?
At least 1 year of paid work in Canada — 1,560 hours — in TEER 0–3 occupations within the 3 years before you apply. You can combine several jobs or work part-time, for example 15 hours a week for 24 months.
2Does work during my studies count?
No. Work while you were a full-time student, including co-op terms, does not count for the CEC. Experience after graduation, for example on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), does count.
3Do I need proof of funds for the CEC?
No. Canadian Experience Class candidates don’t need to show proof of funds. That requirement applies only to the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs.
4Do I need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for the CEC?
Formally, the CEC has no education requirement. But without an ECA you won’t get CRS points for education completed outside Canada, and without those points it is very hard to be invited. In practice, almost everyone with a non-Canadian diploma needs one.
5Can I apply under the CEC if I have already left Canada?
Yes. Your experience must be gained in Canada within the 3 years before you apply, but you don’t have to live in Canada when you apply. What matters is that the experience still falls within that 3-year window.
6Does TEER 4 or 5 experience count?
No. Only experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 occupations counts for the CEC. TEER 4–5 workers should consider provincial programs, such as Ontario’s Workforce Priority stream.
7Can I combine experience from different occupations and employers?
Yes. Experience can be in several NOC occupations and with several employers, as long as they are all TEER 0–3. If the occupations are at different levels, the minimum language level is set by the occupation in which you have the most experience.
8What CRS score do CEC draws require?
Over the past year, the cut-off in CEC-only draws has stayed at roughly 507–534 points. Draws take place about every two weeks. IRCC publishes current results on its Express Entry rounds of invitations page.
9What if my work permit is expiring?
If you applied for an extension before it expired, you are on maintained status and can keep working under the same conditions. If your PR application has been submitted and you have received an AOR letter, you can apply for a bridging open work permit.
10Does Canadian experience guarantee permanent residence?
No. Experience makes you eligible for CEC draws, but invitations go to candidates at or above the cut-off score, and IRCC makes the final decision. Every case is individual. In a consultation, we will review your situation and suggest how to improve your chances.