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Canadian Work Experience
You generally need at least one year, or 1,560 hours, of qualifying Canadian work experience gained during the three years before your application.
IMMIGRATE
Canadian Experience Class
A permanent residence pathway for skilled workers who have gained qualifying work experience in Canada.
Assess Your CEC EligibilityCANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS
What Is the Canadian Experience Class?
The Canadian Experience Class, commonly known as CEC, is one of the federal economic immigration programs managed through Canada's Express Entry system.
It is designed for skilled workers who have gained qualifying work experience in Canada and want to become permanent residents.
CEC can be an important pathway for eligible temporary foreign workers and former international students who later obtain qualifying Canadian work experience.
Meeting the minimum CEC requirements allows an eligible candidate to enter the Express Entry pool, but it does not guarantee an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.
ELIGIBILITY
Key Canadian Experience Class Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the program's minimum requirements before they can qualify under CEC.
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Skilled Occupation
Your qualifying Canadian work experience must be in an occupation classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
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Authorized Work
The qualifying work experience must have been gained in Canada while you were authorized to work under temporary resident status.
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Language Ability
You must meet the required minimum English or French language level for the TEER level of your qualifying occupation.
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Intention to Live Outside Quebec
CEC applicants must intend to live outside Quebec. Qualifying Canadian work experience may still have been gained in Quebec if the applicant can demonstrate an intention to settle elsewhere in Canada.
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Express Entry Eligibility
After meeting the CEC requirements, candidates must create an Express Entry profile and compete within the Express Entry selection system.
WORK EXPERIENCE
What Work Experience Can Count?
Not every period of employment in Canada can necessarily be used to meet the CEC work experience requirement.
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Paid TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 Work
Qualifying Canadian work experience must generally be paid work in an occupation classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
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Full-Time or Equivalent Part-Time
The required experience can generally be accumulated through full-time work or an equivalent amount of qualifying part-time work.
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More Than One Eligible Job or NOC
Qualifying Canadian work experience may generally be accumulated across more than one eligible job or NOC, provided the combined experience meets the applicable CEC requirements.
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Recent Canadian Experience
The qualifying experience must fall within the required three-year period before the CEC application.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS
Work Experience That Does Not Normally Count
Correctly determining what work experience qualifies is an important part of a CEC assessment.
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Work While a Full-Time Student
Canadian work experience gained while you were studying full-time does not count toward the minimum CEC work experience requirement.
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Unauthorized Work
Work performed without the required authorization does not qualify as eligible Canadian work experience.
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Ineligible Occupations
Work outside NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 does not satisfy the CEC minimum skilled work experience requirement.
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Self-Employment
Self-employed work generally does not count toward the minimum Canadian work experience required for the Canadian Experience Class. Certain physicians providing publicly funded medical services may qualify under a special public policy.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Your Minimum Language Level Depends on Your Occupation
CEC applicants must demonstrate ability in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French using an approved language test.
For qualifying work experience in a TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation, the minimum level is generally CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in each language ability.
For qualifying work experience in a TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupation, the minimum is generally CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in each language ability.
Approved Language Tests
IRCC accepts designated English and French language tests for Express Entry. Test results must meet the applicable CEC language requirement and be valid when required by IRCC.
Review My EligibilityADDITIONAL FACTORS
Education and Job Offers
Neither education nor a job offer is required to meet the minimum CEC eligibility requirements, but other factors can still affect your Express Entry ranking.
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No Minimum Education Requirement
CEC does not have a minimum education requirement for program eligibility. However, qualifying education may contribute to your CRS score.
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Job Offer Not Required
You do not need a job offer to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class.
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CRS Still Matters
Once you enter the Express Entry pool, your profile is ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System.
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Other Pathways May Be Available
Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for a provincial nomination or another permanent residence pathway.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How the CEC Process Works
Canadian Experience Class applications are managed through Express Entry.
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Review Your Experience
Confirm that your Canadian work history meets the CEC requirements.
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Complete Language Testing
Obtain valid test results that meet the minimum language level for your occupation.
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Create Express Entry Profile
Submit your profile and enter the Express Entry pool if you meet the requirements.
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Compete for an Invitation
Candidates are ranked in the Express Entry pool and may receive an Invitation to Apply in an applicable invitation round.
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Apply for Permanent Residence
If invited, submit the complete permanent residence application and required supporting documents.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Canadian Work Experience Must Be Assessed Carefully
Having worked in Canada does not automatically mean that the experience qualifies for the Canadian Experience Class.
Your occupation, NOC classification, job duties, dates of employment, hours worked, authorization to work and whether you were studying can all be relevant when determining eligibility.
Your employment documentation should also accurately support the work experience claimed in your Express Entry profile and permanent residence application.
Do You Have Canadian Work Experience?
AddPlus Immigration Solutions Inc. can review your Canadian employment history, assess potential CEC eligibility and help you understand how your experience may fit within the Express Entry system.
Contact UsYOUR CANADIAN EXPERIENCE MAY BE YOUR NEXT STEP
Explore Your Path to Permanent Residence
Tell us about your Canadian work experience, immigration status and language results, and our team can help you assess your potential eligibility under the Canadian Experience Class.
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