12 months of Canadian experience.
One pathway to PR.
The Canadian Experience Class is the fastest federal pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers already in Canada. 1,560 hours of TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 work and you may already qualify.
Month 12
Eligible for Express Entry
Month 3
First T4 logged
Month 6
BOWP eligibility
Month 9
CRS score ready
Month 3
First T4 logged
Month 6
BOWP eligibility
Month 9
CRS score ready
Month 12
Eligible for Express Entry
Program Guide
Is the Canadian Experience Class right for you?
A complete guide to eligibility, qualifying work, and the path to permanent residence.
What is the Canadian Experience Class?
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of three federal economic streams managed through Express Entry. It is designed for foreign nationals who already have skilled work experience in Canada and want to convert that experience into permanent residence.
Unlike FSW, CEC requires no education credential, no settlement funds, and no proof of foreign experience. Canadian work experience itself is the qualifying factor, which makes CEC the most direct path to PR for international students with a PGWP, temporary foreign workers, and IMP holders already working in Canada. IRCC's service standard is to process complete CEC applications within approximately 6 months, though actual processing times vary.
Who qualifies?
Before entering the Express Entry pool, candidates must meet four minimum requirements. Failing any of these disqualifies the application.
Canadian work experience
At least 12 months of full time skilled work in Canada (1,560 hours), gained within the last 3 years.
Language proficiency
CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1 occupations, CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3. Proven with IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF taken in the last 2 years.
Skill level
Work must be in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. TEER 4 and 5 occupations do not qualify.
Outside Quebec
Candidates must intend to live in any province or territory except Quebec, which runs its own selection program (PEQ).
Applicants must also be admissible to Canada, meaning no criminal inadmissibility, security concerns, or serious medical conditions.
What counts as Canadian work experience?
The most common reason CEC applications are refused is misunderstanding what experience qualifies. IRCC applies strict definitions and many applicants disqualify themselves without realizing it.
What counts
- Paid work performed in Canada under valid work authorization
- Full time hours (30 or more per week) or equivalent part time totaling 1,560 hours
- Work in a single TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 role, or a combination
- Experience gained under a PGWP, LMIA work permit, or open work permit
- Probationary periods, when paid
What does not count
- Self employment, freelance, or independent contractor work
- Volunteer work or unpaid internships
- Hours worked while enrolled full time as a student (including co-op and on-campus jobs)
- Work performed without authorization, even if paid and reported to CRA
- Remote work for a foreign employer, even while physically in Canada
- Work in TEER 4 or 5 occupations such as cashiers, food service, or general labour.
Job duties, not job titles, determine the NOC code. IRCC compares your employer reference letter against the official lead statement and main duties for each occupation. A misclassified NOC is one of the leading causes of refusal.
The application process
CEC applications run exclusively through Express Entry. The process has four distinct stages:
01
Eligibility and profile
Confirm you meet CEC minimums and have valid language results. Submit an Express Entry profile online and stay in the pool for up to 12 months.
02
Express Entry pool
IRCC assigns a CRS score that ranks you against all candidates. CEC specific draws in 2026 have ranged between 507 and 515 points. Category based draws may set lower thresholds.
03
Invitation to Apply
Highest ranked candidates receive an ITA through regular IRCC draws. You then have 60 days to submit a complete PR application with reference letters, T4s, and police clearances.
04
Permanent residence
IRCC's service standard is to process 80 percent of complete applications within 6 months and issue a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
CEC for Latin American applicants
Latin American professionals reach CEC eligibility through different pathways depending on their country. Chilean and Costa Rican citizens can use the IEC working holiday program (Mexico's IEC agreement is suspended). Mexican professionals often qualify through CUSMA work permits or LMIA based work permits. Other Latin American applicants typically reach CEC through Canadian study programs followed by a PGWP, intra-company transfers, or LMIA work permits. Once 12 months of qualifying TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 experience is accumulated, CEC is generally the most direct path to permanent residence. Megrez provides bilingual representation in English and Spanish throughout the CEC and Express Entry process.
Why hire an RCIC?
Under Canadian law, paid representation before IRCC is restricted to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), lawyers, and Quebec notaries. RCICs are licensed and regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Megrez Immigration Consultants is a CICC licensed firm and has operated in Vancouver since 1996.
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