Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Requirements and How to Apply
Already working in Canada? The Canadian Experience Class turns your Canadian work experience into permanent residence. No proof of funds and no education requirement. Here is exactly who qualifies.
- Study in CanadaFinish an eligible program at a Canadian school
- Post Graduate Work PermitAn open permit to work for almost any employer
- 1 year of skilled work1,560 hours in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job
- Express Entry profileGet invited in a CEC or category draw
- Permanent residenceLive and work anywhere in Canada
- Canadian experience
- 1 year in 3 years
- Minimum language
- CLB 5 or CLB 7
- Proof of funds
- Not required
- Education
- Not required
What work experience counts
Does my work count for the CEC?
Only some Canadian work counts toward the one year you need. Check where yours fits.
Counts
- Paid work on a valid work permit
- Work on a Post Graduate Work Permit
- Work on maintained status after applying to extend your permit on time
- Part time skilled work that adds up to 1,560 hours
- Work in different TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 jobs
Does not count
- Self-employed work
- Work while you were a full time student, including co-op terms
- Work without authorization
- Unpaid work or volunteering
- Work outside Canada (it can still add CRS points)
What is the Canadian Experience Class?
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for people who have already worked in Canada and want to stay permanently. It is one of the three programs managed through Express Entry.
Because you have already shown you can work and live in Canada, the rules are simpler than other programs. There is no education requirement and no proof of funds. This is the most common route to permanent residence for international graduates and temporary foreign workers.
Canadian Experience Class requirements
- Canadian work experience: at least one year of skilled work in Canada (1,560 hours) in the three years before you apply. It can be full time (30 hours a week for 12 months) or the same amount of part time work.
- Skill level: the work must be in a job at TEER level 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Legal status: the work must be paid and done while you were authorized to work in Canada, for example on a work permit.
- Language: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs, in all four skills.
- Where you will live: you must plan to live outside Quebec.
| Your job level | Examples | Minimum language score |
|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | Managers, accountants, software engineers, registered nurses | CLB 7 |
| TEER 2 or 3 | Cooks, electricians, administrative assistants, medical lab assistants | CLB 5 |
From study permit to PR through the CEC
Many international students follow the same path to permanent residence:
- Study at a Canadian schoolComplete an eligible program at a Designated Learning Institution.
- Get a Post Graduate Work PermitAn open work permit that lets you work for almost any employer.
- Gain one year of skilled workWork in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job. Keep pay stubs and get a reference letter.
- Create an Express Entry profileYour Canadian experience and education both add CRS points.
- Apply after your invitationSubmit your application within 60 days.
Watch your permit dates. Plan early so your work permit does not expire before you get your invitation. If you have already applied for permanent residence, you may be able to apply for a bridging open work permit to keep working while you wait.
CEC draws and your chances
IRCC regularly holds draws only for Canadian Experience Class candidates, and many people already in Canada also qualify for category based draws in fields like healthcare, education and trades. Recent policy has focused on helping people already living in Canada move to permanent residence.
Your Canadian work experience also earns more CRS points than the same experience abroad, especially when combined with strong language scores or Canadian education.
Proposed change. In April 2026, the government proposed replacing the Canadian Experience Class with a new federal high-skilled class. This is still a proposal and the current CEC rules still apply.
Documents you will need
- Valid passport and copies of all Canadian work and study permits
- Language test results less than two years old
- Reference letters from each Canadian employer with job title, duties, hours, salary and dates
- T4 slips, pay stubs or notices of assessment that show your Canadian earnings
- Police certificates from each country where you lived for six months or more since age 18
- Medical exam by an IRCC panel physician
- Educational Credential Assessment, if you want points for education from outside Canada
Frequently asked questions
Does work while studying count for the Canadian Experience Class?
No. Work done while you were a full time student, including co-op or internship terms, does not count. Work after you finish your studies, for example on a Post Graduate Work Permit, does count.
Does self-employed work count?
No. Self-employment and contract work as an independent business owner do not count toward the one year of Canadian experience for this program.
Do I need proof of funds for the CEC?
No. Canadian Experience Class applicants do not need to show settlement funds. You still need to meet all other requirements.
Can I apply if I have already left Canada?
Yes. You can apply from outside Canada as long as your one year of skilled Canadian work experience is within the three years before you apply.
What happens if my work permit expires while I wait?
If you applied to extend your permit before it expired, you may be on maintained status and can keep working under the same conditions. After you apply for permanent residence, you may also qualify for a bridging open work permit. Speak to us before your permit expires.
Can I combine two part time jobs?
Yes. Part time work can be combined to reach 1,560 hours, as long as it is all skilled work at TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 and within the last three years.
About this guide. This page is written by 4Ways Canada Immigration, a team of licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) based at 2250 Bovaird Drive E, Unit 418, Brampton, ON. It is based on official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and was last updated in October 2026.
Immigration rules change often. This page is general information, not legal advice. Contact us or check the official sources below before you apply.
Official sources: IRCC: Canadian Experience Class, IRCC: Express Entry