Hours and multiple jobs
You can reach 1,560 hours through full-time work, an equivalent amount of part-time work, or more than one eligible TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job within the 3-year window.
Canadian Experience Class Eligibility & Requirements 2026
Check the 2026 CEC work, NOC TEER, language, and funds rules before creating an Express Entry profile.
| Work experience | 1 year / 1,560 hours in Canada within the last 3 years |
|---|---|
| Eligible jobs | NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 |
| Language | CLB 7 for TEER 0–1; CLB 5 for TEER 2–3 |
| Education and funds | No education minimum or settlement funds |
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a primary immigration program managed under Express Entry. It allows eligible temporary foreign workers and former international students with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence. CEC applicants do not need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) or proof of settlement funds to meet the program minimums.
To meet the Canadian Experience Class requirements, applicants need at least 1 year of paid, authorized Canadian work experience (1,560 hours) within the three years before they apply. This work must be in an occupation classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. You must also meet the minimum language scores and plan to live outside Quebec. IRCC aims to process most complete Express Entry applications within six months or less, but that service goal is not a guaranteed CEC processing time and individual cases can take longer.
CEC requirements answer
Canadian Experience Class eligibility checks before you create your profile
Searchers reaching this page are usually checking whether their Canadian work experience, NOC TEER level, language score, and fees line up with current IRCC rules. Use these answers as the fast eligibility read before preparing an Express Entry profile.
Authorized work in Canada
The work must be paid, authorized under temporary resident status, and performed while you were physically in Canada. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count.
Self-employment and student work
Work gained while studying full-time does not count. Self-employment generally does not count, but IRCC has a temporary public-policy exemption for qualifying self-employed physicians.
Language results must stay valid
Approved English or French results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.
Education and settlement funds
CEC has no minimum education requirement and no settlement-funds requirement. Education can still increase your CRS score when you claim Canadian credentials or an ECA.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canadian Experience Class?
- Applicants who meet the Canadian Experience Class requirements with at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work experience in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation within the last 3 years
- Applicants who accumulated the hours through full-time work, an equivalent amount of part-time work, or more than one eligible job
- International graduates who completed studies in Canada and then gained qualifying Canadian work experience on a post-graduation work permit
- Workers currently living in Canada on a valid work permit, or those who previously worked in Canada and are now living abroad
- Applicants meeting minimum language scores: CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 and 1 occupations; CLB 5 for NOC TEER 2 and 3 occupations
- Applicants whose approved language-test results are less than 2 years old when they create their Express Entry profile and submit their permanent residence application
- Those with work experience gained through authorized, paid employment while physically in Canada; unpaid work, volunteer work, and work gained while studying full-time do not count
- Applicants intending to live outside the province of Quebec (Quebec has its own immigration programs)
- Spouses or common-law partners and dependent children can be included as accompanying family members
Work gained while studying full-time, as a volunteer, or through unpaid work does not count. Self-employment generally does not count, although IRCC has a temporary public-policy exemption for qualifying physicians.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canadian Experience Class?
- Education Requirement: No formal education requirement (ECA not required, but assessed credentials can boost CRS score)
- Language Test Required: IELTS General Training, CELPIP, TEF Canada, TCF Canada, or PTE Core
- Minimum Language Score: CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 and 1; CLB 5 for NOC TEER 2 and 3
- Language Test Validity: Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your Express Entry profile and apply for permanent residence
- Canadian Work Experience: 1 year (1,560 hours) of eligible work in Canada within the last 3 years in one or more NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations
- Work Experience Type: Paid and authorized work performed while physically in Canada. Full-time, equivalent part-time, and hours from multiple eligible jobs may count. Work gained while studying full-time does not count; self-employment generally does not count, subject to IRCC's physician exemption
- Job Offer Required: Not required. As of March 25, 2025, Express Entry no longer awards additional CRS points for job offers
- Proof of Funds: Not required for CEC applicants
- Where You May Live: You must plan to live outside Quebec, which selects its own economic immigrants
- Medical Exam Required: Yes - by an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Police Clearance Required: Yes - from every country where you lived 6+ months since age 18
- Biometrics Required: Yes - fingerprints and photograph at a designated collection centre
- Processing Time: IRCC aims to process most complete Express Entry applications within 6 months or less, but actual CEC processing times vary
- Government Fee: CAD 1,590 per adult (CAD 990 processing + CAD 600 RPRF)
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 (individual); CAD 170 (family of 2+)
Documents
What are the documents required for Canadian Experience Class?
- Identity and travel documents (passport, birth certificate, national ID) for all applicants
- Language test results (IELTS General Training, CELPIP, TEF Canada, TCF Canada, or PTE Core) demonstrating required CLB scores
- Canadian work experience documentation: employment letters on company letterhead, pay stubs, T4 tax slips, and Records of Employment (ROE)
- Work permits (current and past) showing authorised employment status in Canada
- Educational credentials and ECA report (optional but recommended for CRS points)
- Job offer letter and LMIA (if applicable - not required for CEC)
- Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Police clearance certificates from every country where you lived for 6+ months since age 18
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated collection centre
- Proof of relationship for spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children (marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc.)
Application Process
How to Apply for the Canadian Experience Class Through Express Entry
01
Check Basic Eligibility
Verify you meet the minimum IRCC requirements for the CEC. You need at least 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation within the last 3 years. You also need CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2/3) in English or French.
02
Take a Language Test
Book and complete an approved language test. For English: IELTS General Training, CELPIP, or PTE Core. For French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and submit your permanent residence application.
03
Gather Canadian Work Experience Proof
Collect employment letters from your Canadian employer(s) on company letterhead, specifying your job title, NOC code, duties, hours worked, and dates of employment. Also gather pay stubs, T4 tax slips, and Records of Employment.
04
Create Your Express Entry Profile
Submit your online profile through your IRCC secure account. Enter personal information, Canadian work experience, language scores, and education details. IRCC calculates your CRS score and places you in the Express Entry pool. Your profile is valid for 12 months.
05
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Wait for an invitation round. IRCC schedules rounds at varying intervals, and program categories and CRS cutoffs can change. If you receive an ITA, you then have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.
06
Prepare and Upload Documents
Gather all supporting documents including passport, language results, Canadian work experience proof, work permits, police clearances, and any optional documents like ECA reports or job offer letters.
07
Pay Government Fees and Provide Biometrics
Pay processing fees (CAD 1,590 for principal applicant) and biometrics fee (CAD 85). Complete a medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician and provide biometrics at a designated collection centre.
08
Application Review and Decision
IRCC reviews your application and may request additional information. You can track your status through the IRCC portal. IRCC aims to process most complete Express Entry applications within 6 months or less, but this is not a guaranteed CEC timeline. If approved, you receive a COPR and, when required, a PR visa.
Understanding the Canadian Experience Class requirements is essential to avoid delays or refusals. Your profile is evaluated on Canadian work experience, language proficiency, and NOC occupation classification. Any gap in eligibility or documentation can affect the outcome.
Review every requirement carefully before submitting your Express Entry profile. This improves your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore PR Visa FAQs guide to know the answers of all your questions.
Last updated September 20, 2026
Official IRCC sources used for this CEC
Updated for current IRCC CEC guidance
Source-backed by Canada.ca and IRCC fee pages
Immigration rules and processing times change often. Use these official pages as the final authority before paying fees or submitting documents.
Editorial reviewer
Prabu Rajasekaran
Study-Abroad Expert
Prabu Rajasekaran is a study-abroad writer and mentor with 12+ years of experience creating student guidance, test-prep resources, and Canada education/admissions content.
FAQ
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) FAQs
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an Express Entry immigration program that allows temporary foreign workers and international graduates with at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency.
To meet the Canadian Experience Class eligibility, your work experience must be in an occupation classified under NOC TEER 0 (management), TEER 1 (professions usually requiring a university degree), TEER 2 (occupations requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship), or TEER 3 (occupations requiring a college diploma, apprenticeship, or 6+ months of training). You must have at least 1,560 hours of paid work in one of these categories.
You can gain qualifying Canadian work experience by working in Canada on a temporary work permit, such as a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), a Working Holiday Visa, or an employer-specific work permit. The work must be authorized, paid, and performed while physically in Canada. Work gained while studying full-time does not count. Self-employment generally does not count, although IRCC has a specific temporary public-policy exemption for qualifying physicians.
You need at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled, paid, and authorized Canadian work experience within the 3 years before you apply. This can be full-time (30 hours/week for 12 months) or an equal amount in part-time work. Unpaid internships, volunteer work, and work experience gained while you were a full-time student do not count toward CEC work experience requirements.
Related Resources
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