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Canadian Experience Class
CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS
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Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the most popular immigration pathways under the Express Entry system. Designed specifically for individuals who have already gained professional work experience in Canada, it provides a seamless transition from temporary status to permanent residency.
The Canadian government recognises that individuals with Canadian work experience have already adapted to the local labour market, culture, and lifestyle. These candidates typically integrate faster into the economy and communities, making the CEC an ideal option for skilled workers who have built a life in Canada and wish to remain permanently.
Whether you’re an international graduate with post-graduation work experience or a skilled worker holding a Canadian job, the CEC offers a fast, flexible, and highly efficient route to Canada PR.
What Is the Canadian Experience Class?
The Canadian Experience Class is a federal economic immigration program under Express Entry designed for skilled individuals who have gained at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience. Unlike the FSWP and FSTP, the CEC focuses on workers who have already demonstrated success in the Canadian job market. This makes it one of the most accessible immigration programs for temporary residents, international graduates, and foreign workers currently employed in Canada.
CEC applicants compete in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), but they benefit from unique advantages, simplified requirements, and faster approval timelines.
Why Choose the Canadian Experience Class?
Ideal for International Students & Temporary Foreign Workers
Graduates who completed their studies in Canada and gained work experience through Post-Graduation Work Permits often find the CEC to be the most accessible path to PR. Similarly, foreign workers with employer-specific or open work permits can transition smoothly from temporary status to permanent residency.
Canadian Experience Class Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the CEC, candidates must meet several program-specific requirements. These criteria ensure applicants can successfully establish themselves as permanent residents in Canada.
1. Canadian Skilled Work Experience (Minimum 12 Months)
Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of skilled work experience in Canada, obtained within the last three years. This experience can be gained through:
- Full-time employment,
- Equivalent part-time work
The work must fall under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, and must be performed under a valid work permit.
Important note: Work experience gained through self-employment or work performed while completing a full-time academic program does not count toward CEC eligibility.
2. Meet Language Requirements for Your Occupation Level
Candidates must show adequate proficiency in English or French:
- CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs
- CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs
Language ability is assessed through approved tests such as IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF. Stronger language scores also provide higher CRS points.
3. Plan to Live Outside the Province of Quebec
Applicants must intend to reside in any Canadian province or territory outside Quebec. Quebec has its own skilled worker immigration programs.
4. Must Have Gained Experience Under Legal Work Authorisation
Applicants must have held valid work permits during all periods of work experience being claimed. This ensures that their employment was legally recognised and compliant with Canadian regulations.
Advantages of CEC Over Other Express Entry Programs
- No need to show financial settlement proof, removing financial strain
- No strict educational documentation requirement, although providing proof of education boosts CRS
- Canadian work experience is heavily rewarded under CRS, increasing ITA chances
- Highly suitable for individuals already adapted to Canadian life
- Work permit holders can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) after ITA, ensuring continued employment
- Low documentation workload, making the application smoother and less stressful
Because CEC candidates have already demonstrated their ability to work and integrate in Canada, the government often prioritises their profiles during Express Entry draws.
Step-by-Step Application Process for the Canadian Experience Class
Step 1: Obtain a Valid Work Authorisation in Canada
You must first have a legal work permit to gain the required skilled experience. Many applicants qualify through:
- Employer-specific LMIA-backed work permits
- Intra-company transfer permits
- Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
- Open work permits for spouses of skilled workers or international students
Without legal authorization, work experience cannot be counted.
Step 2: Complete One Year of Skilled Work Experience
You must complete at least 12 full months of eligible skilled work. Even 11.5 months does not qualify, so tracking accurate dates and hours is essential. This experience must be recent and relevant, showing that you have actively contributed to the Canadian workforce.
Step 3: Meet Language & Eligibility Requirements
Take your language exam and ensure you meet the CLB threshold for your occupation level. Verify:
- Your work experience meets NOC requirements
- You performed substantial duties of the occupation
- You intend to reside outside Quebec
If your spouse has strong language ability or education, include those documents to boost your CRS score.
Step 4: Create Your Express Entry Profile
Submit your profile through the IRCC portal. You will provide:
- Work history details
- Education information
- Language test results
- Identity documents
- Proof of legal work status
Once accepted into the pool, you will receive your CRS score.
Step 5: Improve Your CRS Ranking
Even CEC candidates with strong experience can miss cutoffs if their CRS score is not competitive. Improving your score may include:
- Adding an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to claim up to 150 points for education
- Boosting language scores for higher CRS point allocation
- Gaining additional Canadian work experience
- Exploring Express Entry–aligned Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) → A PNP nomination gives an additional 600 points, guaranteeing an ITA
CEC applicants often overlook education points, which can dramatically improve their CRS ranking.
Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Once your CRS score meets the required threshold for a draw, IRCC will issue an ITA. You then have 60 days to submit your complete PR application. During this stage, if your work permit is close to expiring, you may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) to allow continued employment while your PR application is being processed.
Step 7: Submit Medicals, Police Records & PR Application
Submit your electronic application along with:
- Medical exam results from an IRCC-approved physician
- Police clearance certificates from all countries where you lived 6+ months since age 18
- Employer reference letters
- Pay stubs or records of employment
- Identity and civil documents
Because the timeline is tight, preparing background checks and reference letters ahead of time is highly recommended.
Step 8: IRCC Review Process
A visa officer evaluates your application, verifies your eligibility, and ensures you meet Canada’s admissibility criteria. If additional documents are required, you will be notified.
Step 9: Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
- At a Canadian port of entry,
- At an IRCC office, if you are already inside Canada
Step 10: Receive Your PR Card
After landing, your PR card will be mailed to your Canadian address. This serves as proof of permanent residency for re-entry into Canada during international travel.
Continued below…
Who Should Apply for the Canadian Experience Class?
The CEC is ideal for:
- International graduates with PGWP experience
- Temporary foreign workers employed in skilled occupations
- Individuals who want faster processing compared to other PR programs
- Candidates who do not want to show settlement funds
- Workers who have already integrated into Canadian society
- Skilled professionals seeking long-term stability and opportunity in Canada
If you have built your career in Canada, the CEC provides the most natural and efficient route to PR.
The bonus this is certainly biggest of trying to get permanent residency through the Canadian knowledge course is the fact that you will find fewer needs to be considered. The less necessity indicates less paperwork, which indicates quicker application processing this is certainly visa. Not just is there no certain needs which are academic you don’t have to show evidence of settlement resources while you would when it comes to Federal Skilled Worker and Trades programs.
Competent work knowledge beneath the Express Entry system needs to be compensated work. Including compensated earnings or attained percentage, and does not consist of volunteer work or internships which are outstanding. Qualifying work experience includes as much as 30 hours per for one year or corresponding to 12 months of full time or 1,560 hours few days. Hours will never be counted in the event that you work a lot more than 30 hours each week.
Part-time work knowledge matters because it results in 1,560 hours in the event that you worked for pretty many 15 hours per week for as long. It is possible to work one or more job this is certainly part-time accumulating the amount of hours needed seriously to use.
Qualifying scores for Express Entry programs rely completely regarding the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ratings of various other candidates in your draw share. On average, qualifying CRS scores when it comes to CEC course attracts ranged between 357 and 462. According to CRS results from 2021 draws, scoring at the least 407 would allow you to get an invite to try to get permanent residency.
Becoming considered entitled to enter Canada; you need to be in a position to show that you will be in a healthy body that will have to supply a certification this is certainly health.
Questions regarding the Canadian Experience Class – Immigration System? Contact our Canadian immigration Global for the assessment this is certainly no-cost.
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Start Your Canadian Experience Class Journey Today
The Canadian Experience Class is one of the strongest and most efficient pathways to Canadian PR, especially for those who already understand Canadian workplace culture and have proven themselves in the job market.Canada Immigration Global can help you:
- Assess your CEC eligibility
- Improve your CRS score
- Prepare your Express Entry profile
- Assist with document collection and PR submission
- Explore PNP options for additional points
- Secure a Bridging Open Work Permit if required