Express Entry : Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program

2025 Trends: CEC continues to be a key focus within the Express Entry system, with IRCC prioritizing candidates who have recent Canadian work experience. Draws targeting CEC applicants have resumed more regularly, often with lower CRS thresholds compared to general draws, reflecting Canada’s need to retain skilled workers already integrated into the labour market. This trend aligns with the broader 2025 Express Entry strategy emphasizing retention and transition of temporary residents to permanent status.

 

2025 ITAs issued: As of July 24, 2025, IRCC has issued 18,850 Invitations to Apply through CEC-specific Express Entry draws this year—making it the top category in 2025 with seven CEC rounds so far

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About the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), introduced in 2008, offers a pathway to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers with skilled, professional, or managerial experience gained in Canada. By prioritizing applicants who have already adapted to Canadian life and the labour market, the program supports long-term integration and helps retain talent with proven success in the country. Since its inception—alongside the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) programs—CEC has become one of the most popular routes to permanent residency for foreign workers already living in Canada.

With the launch of the Express Entry system in January 2015, all CEC applications began to be processed electronically through this platform. Notably, since 2024, IRCC has made the Canadian Experience Class a clear priority within Express Entry, frequently issuing targeted draws for in-Canada applicants, especially those with prior work or study experience, further reinforcing its role as a key economic immigration pathway.

CEC may be your best pathway to PR if you are…

Skilled Foreign Worker with Work Experience in Canada

You must have at least 12 months of work experience in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) within the past 10 years, obtained in Canada.

Proficient in English or French

You must know at least one of Canada’s official languages CLB/NCLC 5 in for candidates with work experience in TEER 2 or 3 and CLB/NCLC 7 in TEER 0 or 1.

How to Immigrate to Canada through Express Entry

Express Entry is the application management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to select skilled immigrants for permanent residence. It handles applications under three key federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Since its launch in 2015, Express Entry has become the most streamlined and competitive pathway for skilled foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada. In recent years—especially since 2024—IRCC has placed greater emphasis on in-Canada applicants through the CEC and category-based draws, further enhancing Express Entry’s role in meeting labour market needs.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Eligibility criteria

Program you must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements, laid out in s.87.1(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)

To qualify under the CEC program, applicants must meet the following conditions:

  • Work Experience:
    • A minimum of 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years prior to submission of the electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
    • The work experience must be classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
    • The experience must be paid and lawfully obtained with proper authorization (i.e., valid work permit).
    • Experience gained during full-time studies (including co-op placements and internships) is not eligible.
  • Language Proficiency:
    • For NOC 0 or A jobs: minimum CLB 7.
    • For NOC B jobs: minimum CLB 5.
  • Residence Intent:
    • Applicants must intend to reside outside the province of Quebec.
  • Admissibility:
    • Applicants must be admissible to Canada. This includes clear criminal background checks and passing medical examinations.

IRCC says...

“In 2025, category-based selection will continue to focus on candidates with experience in critical sectors and those already in Canada to help address ongoing labour market needs and reduce processing times.”
— IRCC News Release, February 27, 2025
Source: Canada.ca – Express Entry: Category-based selection

This reflects IRCC’s ongoing policy priority to retain skilled workers who are already living and working in Canada—particularly through the Canadian Experience Class.

Eligible Work Experience

To be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you must have at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years before applying. The work must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC), be lawfully obtained (e.g., on a valid work permit), and involve duties matching the lead statement and main responsibilities of the NOC code.

  • Full-Time Work:
    • 30 hours/week for 12 months (totaling 1,560 hours).
  • Part-Time Work:
    • May be combined across multiple positions as long as the total is at least 1,560 hours within the past 36 months.

Only work under NOC categories TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 is eligible.

NOC Category

Description

Examples

NOC 0

Managerial roles

Project Manager, Restaurant Manager

NOC A

Professional roles (degree)

Engineer, Accountant, Doctor

NOC B

Technical/Skilled Trades

Chef, Electrician, Plumber

Work under NOC C or D (e.g., general labourers, retail clerks) is not eligible.

To support a CEC application, the following documentation is required:

  • Employment Reference Letters:
    • On official letterhead
    • Include job title, dates of employment, hours per week, main duties (aligned with NOC code)
  • Pay Stubs and Employment Contracts:
    • To verify paid legal employment
  • Tax Documents:
    • T4 slips or Notice of Assessment from CRA (if applicable)

Consistency across all documents is essential. Job duties must align with the declared NOC.

Ineligible Work Experience

The following types of work do not count toward CEC eligibility:

  • Self-Employment:
    • Work as a contractor or business owner is not accepted.
  • Unauthorized Work:
    • Experience obtained without a valid work permit or after permit expiry is ineligible.
  • Work Completed During Full-Time Studies:
    • Includes internships and co-op terms tied to education programs.

How long does it take to get PR through Express Entry?

IRCC aims to process most complete Express Entry applications within six months. However, in practice, processing can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on the volume of applications and individual case complexities.

An Express Entry profile remains valid for 12 months. If no Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued within that time, the profile will be automatically removed from the pool. Candidates may create a new profile and re-enter the pool, as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the Express Entry programs.

How does the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program work?

To apply for Canadian Permanent Residence under the Canadian Experience Class Program, you must go through a complex and lengthy process. In general, the process for immigrating to Canada through the CEC consists of 5 steps:

Step 1 – Check your eligibility for the CEC program.

Once you hit the one year of skilled employment in Canada and obtain your language test results you can create an Express Entry Profile.

Step 2 – Create an Express Entry Profile.

Once you create the Express Entry Profile, you will be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System score (also known as a CRS score). The CRS score is a different system used by IRCC to rank your profile against other eligible candidates. The CRS score is based on a number of factors including your age, post-secondary education, English or French language skills, foreign and Canadian work experience, marital status, adaptability factors, and provincial nomination. You can get a maximum of 1200 CRS points in the Express Entry System.

Step 3 – Wait for the Invitation to Apply (ITA).

All applicants with a valid Express Entry profile are automatically added to a pool of candidates and are ranked based on their CRS score. Several times per month IRCC issues an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to the highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool.

Step 4 – Prepare and submit an Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

Once you receive an Invitation to Apply you must prepare and submit an Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). You will have only 60 days to collect all supporting documents, complete the immigration application forms, and submit your eAPR.

Step 5 – Receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and complete your landing in Canada.

If and when your application for Permanent Residence in Canada is approved, you will need to complete your landing process in Canada. For Citizens of countries that require a visa to come to Canada, and are outside Canada, you must be issued a PR Visa in your passport before you can travel to Canada. Only after officially completing your landing procedure will you obtain Permanent Resident status in Canada.

Documents Checklist

The full package of documents typically required for applying through Express Entry under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program in Canada.

The process involves two major stages:

  1. creating your EE profile and
  2. submitting your eAPR (electronic Application for Permanent Residence) after receiving an ITA (Invitation to Apply).

The documents vary by stage.

1. Documents for Creating Express Entry Profile (CEC)

You need these documents to enter the EE pool:

  • Valid passport
  • Travel document
  • Permits
  • Birth Certificate for minors
  • Marriage / Divorce Certificates
  • IELTS General Training or CELPIP (English)
  • TEF Canada or TCF Canada (French)

Minimum language requirements:

  • TEER 0-1 : CLB 7 / 7 / 7 /7
  • TEER 2-3 : CLB 5 / 5 / 5 / 5

Must be less than 2 years old

 

  • Required for foreign education (outside Canada)
  • Must be issued by a designated organization (e.g., WES, ICES, CES, IQAS)

Valid for 5 years from issue date

  • Job title, duties, dates, and salary
  • Should match NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
  • Reference letters not needed yet but information should match what will be submitted later
2. Documents for e-aPR Application for PR 

 

These documents must be uploaded within 60 days of receiving an ITA.

You need these documents to apply for Permanent Residence:

  1. Passport(s): All pages with stamps, visas, and biodata
  2. Language Test Results
  3. ECA Report – Education (if claiming points for education)
  4. Work Experience Reference Letters for each relevant job:
    • Printed on company letterhead
    • Includes: Job title, duties, salary, employment dates, hours per week, and supervisor contact
    • Preferably signed by HR or immediate supervisor
  5. Police Certificates:
    • From every country you’ve lived in for 6+ months since age 18
    • Must be issued within 6 months before submission
  6. Digital Photo: Meeting IRCC specifications
  7. Medical Exam (optional upfront but can be submitted if done): Panel physician receipt or eMedical info sheet
  • Marriage Certificate (if married)
  • Birth Certificates (for accompanying children)
  • Adoption papers, custody papers (if applicable)
  • Death Certificate (if a spouse or former partner is deceased)
  • Divorce/Separation Papers
  • Legal Name Change Documents
  • Canadian employment reference letter (if claiming Canadian experience)
  • Provincial Nomination Certificate (if nominated)
  • Use of a Representative Form (if applicable)
3. Optional, but Recommended to have

For any document that needs clarification or explanation

if claiming CRS points

if have extensive travel history

sometimes requested, even if the Applicant has ECA

to support employment (if reference letters are weak)

The main benefits of the Express Entry system…

Point-Based System: Understand Your Chances Before You Apply
Express Entry allows you to assess your likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence before submitting your application or paying any processing fees.

Fully Digital Process: No Paper Submissions
When applying for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry, the entire process—from profile creation to final submission—is completed online.

Expedited Processing: True to Its Name
Applications under CEC and other Express Entry-managed programs are typically processed within six months, making it one of the fastest routes to permanent residency in Canada.

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FAQ about the Canadian Experience Class program

CEC is a federal immigration program managed under Express Entry, allowing those with Canadian work experience to become permanent residents.

Eligible candidates must have at least one year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within the past three years and meet language requirements.

Qualifying work experience must be classified as TEER 0 (management), TEER 1 (professional occupations), TEER 2 (technical occupations), or TEER 3 (skilled trades and intermediate occupations).

No. Work experience obtained while studying full-time on a study permit in Canada does not count for CEC eligibility.

No. Self-employed experience in Canada does not qualify under the CEC program.

Applicants need at least CLB 7 for occupations under TEER 0 or TEER 1, and CLB 5 for occupations under TEER 2 or TEER 3.

No, having a valid job offer is not mandatory for applying under the CEC program.

No formal education requirement exists, but providing Canadian education credentials or an ECA for foreign education can boost your CRS score.

Yes, you can apply for the CEC program from inside or outside Canada, provided you meet all eligibility criteria including a skilled work experience obtained in Canada

Yes. If international students gain at least one year of skilled work experience after graduation (e.g., through a Post-Graduation Work Permit), they can qualify under CEC.

Yes. You may combine work experience gained in different qualifying TEER categories (0, 1, 2, or 3) to reach the minimum requirement of 1,560 hours.

It’s acceptable. For CEC the Canadian skilled work experience doesn’t have to be continuous or with a single employer, as long as it totals one year (1,560 hours).

No. Applicants under the CEC program do not need to show proof of funds, regardless of whether they have a job offer.

Yes, if you’re invited under FSW, you must provide proof of funds. If invited under CEC, proof of funds isn’t required. When you are qualified for both FSW and CEC, CEC is priority, meaning your ITA will come for CEC

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