Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program

Immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker or an international graduate/post-graduate student through the CEC Express Entry. Here is a step-by-step guide to the Canadian Experience Class.

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

The government of Canada recognises the deep pool of talented workers already working in Canada, and wants them to become permanent residents. These are individuals and families who have set down roots and made plans for the future in Canada

What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC?

Candidates with recent Canadian work experience who want to stay in Canada permanently should apply for the Canadian Experience Class Pathway. CEC is also one of the quickest paths to permanent residence in Canada, requiring only 3 to 4 months to complete. Here is a step-by-step process for the Canadian Experience Class Program of the Express Entry system.

How to Immigrate to Canada through the CEC?

IRCC introduced the CEC in 2008 to help meet the challenges faced by the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. The Canadian Experience Class is managed under the Express Entry system. Only applicants who meet the cut-off score requirements in the latest CEC draws receive invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Canadian Experience Class Requirements
Eligible Occupations under the CEC
Step-by-Step Process for the CEC Express Entry
CEC Processing Time
CEC Proof of funds
CEC Application Processing Fees

Eligibility Requirements for CEC Program

In order to be eligible for Canadian Experience Class Express Entry, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Minimum Work Experience

An applicant must have at least 12 months of full-time work experience or an equal amount of part-time work (1,560 hours) in the last three years.
Work experience must be in one or more occupations listed in TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2 or TEER 3 categories of the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
Any work experience gained while a full-time student is NOT valid under this program.
Self-employment does not count toward work experience.
Applicants must have performed the actions described in the lead statement and a substantial number of the primary duties listed in the NOC description of the occupation under which they are applying.

2. Language Requirements

At least CLB Level 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs
At least CLB level 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs
Language test results must not be more than two years old at the time of application.
Language proficiency tests must be in one of Canada’s two official languages, English and French.
A designated institution approved by IRCC must conduct language skills tests.

3. Education Requirements

There is no minimum education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class.
Applicants can claim CRS points for education under the CEC Express Entry to increase their scores.
A Canadian post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree or a completed foreign credential with an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by IRCC.
The ECA must be less than five years old on the date of application.

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4. Admissibility

The applicants will be allowed to settle in Canada through the CEC only if:

They have not been convicted of a crime in Canada
They have not been convicted of a crime outside Canada, which is also considered a crime in Canada.
They have not committed a crime according to the laws of another country that would also be punishable in Canada.

Eligible Occupations under the Canadian Experience Class

You need at least one year of work experience in a TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2 or TEER 3 job to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program. Please review the list of all eligible occupations below:Show 102550100 entriesSearch:

TEER Category	NOC Code	Occupation Category
0	10010	Financial managers
0	10011	Human resources managers
0	10012	Purchasing managers
0	10019	Other administrative services managers
0	10020	Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers
0	10021	Banking, credit and other investment managers
0	10022	Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
0	10029	Other business services managers
0	10030	Telecommunication carriers managers
0	20010	Engineering managers
0	20011	Architecture and science managers
0	20012	Computer and information systems managers
0	30010	Managers in health care
0	40010	Government managers – health and social policy development and program administration
0	40011	Government managers – economic analysis, policy development and program administration
0	40012	Government managers – education policy development and program administration
0	40019	Other managers in public administration
0	40020	Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training
0	40021	School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
0	40030	Managers in social, community and correctional services
0	40040	Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services
0	40041	Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
0	40042	Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces
0	50010	Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers
0	50011	Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
0	50012	Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
0	60010	Corporate sales managers
0	60020	Retail and wholesale trade managers
0	60030	Restaurant and food service managers
0	60031	Accommodation service managers
0	60040	Managers in customer and personal services
0	70010	Construction managers
0	70011	Home building and renovation managers
0	70012	Facility operation and maintenance managers
0	70020	Managers in transportation
0	70021	Postal and courier services managers
0	80010	Managers in natural resources production and fishing
0	80020	Managers in agriculture
0	80021	Managers in horticulture
0	80022	Managers in aquaculture
0	90010	Manufacturing managers
0	90011	Utilities managers

Step-by-Step Process for Canadian Experience Class

Follow these steps to apply for the Canadian Experience Class category of the Express Entry system.

Step 1: Get a Canadian Work Permit

The most basic Canadian Experience Class eligibility requirement is to have at least one year of work experience inside Canada. To achieve this, the applicants need must get a Canadian work permit. This work permit can be either an open work permit, an LMIA work permit or an LMIA-exempt work permit.

Step 2: Meet Minimum Work Experience Requirements

Applicants need at least one year of Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency under the CEC Express Entry program.

Step 3: Language Proficiency Test (IELTS or Equivalent)

To obtain Canadian Experience Class points based on your Language Proficiency, you must take authorized tests such as IELTS, CELPIP or equivalent French language tests.

Step 4: Express Entry Profile Creation

After that, the applicants can start the registration process for their Canadian Experience Class profile in the Express Entry system online.

Step 5: Receive ITA

IRCC invites you to apply for high-scoring candidates in the Latest CEC Draws. Once successfully receiving an Invitation to Apply, candidates must prepare and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (PR) within 60 days.

Step 6: Medical Exam and Police Verification (PCC)

All the CEC Program candidates must have a medical exam document and police clearance certificate to move to the next application processing phase.

Step 7: Application Processing Phase

A visa officer assesses the Canadian Experience Class application and informs the candidates to provide any missing documents (if any) or revisions in the submitted documents.

Step 8: Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)

IRCC makes the final decision on your CEC application, and you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) via email.

Step 9: Get the PR Card

Once getting a CoPR, the candidates can apply for your PR card. This card comes in handy to prove your PR status in Canada.

Canadian Experience Class Processing Time

The Canadian Experience Class Processing time is between 4-6 months, but due to the Covid-19 crisis, the processing times can go up to 19 months. The candidates can check the latest CEC processing time here.

Proof of Funds for the Canadian Skilled Worker Program

The best thing about the Canadian Experience Class category of the Express Entry program is that the applicants don’t have to show any proof of funds. They can apply for Canadian Experience Class solely based on the skilled worker experience obtained inside Canada.