Express Entry
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class is a permanent residence program under the Express Entry system for foreign nationals who have obtained qualifying skilled work experience in Canada and have demonstrated the ability to economically establish themselves in the country. It is specifically intended for individuals who are already working in Canada on temporary status and does not require proof of settlement funds or foreign work experience. Eligibility is assessed strictly on qualifying Canadian work experience, language proficiency, and compliance with immigration laws administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
How CEC works within Express Entry
CEC operates exclusively through the Express Entry system, meaning applicants must first create an Express Entry profile and be found eligible under CEC before being placed into the pool of candidates. Being eligible for CEC only allows entry into the pool and does not permit submission of a permanent residence application unless the applicant receives an Invitation to Apply. Invitations are issued based on CRS score cutoffs determined by IRCC for each draw, and applicants below the cutoff cannot apply even if they fully meet CEC eligibility requirements.
Minimum Canadian work experience requirement
Applicants must have accumulated at least 12 months of qualifying Canadian work experience, equal to 1,560 hours, within the three years immediately before the date of application. The experience must be paid, continuous or non-continuous, and obtained while holding valid work authorization in Canada. IRCC calculates experience based strictly on hours worked, not calendar duration, and any miscalculation results in refusal. Overtime can count if paid, but unpaid overtime does not count toward the required hours.
Eligible TEER categories under CEC
Only Canadian work experience performed in TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3 occupations qualifies under CEC. Work performed in TEER 4 or TEER 5 occupations does not qualify under any circumstances. The work must substantially match the lead statement and a majority of the main duties of the selected NOC, and IRCC does not rely on job titles when assessing eligibility.
Work experience that does not qualify
The following experience is excluded and cannot be used toward CEC eligibility: self-employment in Canada, work performed while studying full time in Canada even if the applicant held a work permit, unpaid work or volunteer work, unauthorized work, and work performed after a loss of status. Including ineligible experience can result in refusal or misrepresentation if it affects eligibility or CRS score.
Language requirements under CEC
CEC applicants must meet minimum language requirements in English or French based on the TEER level of their qualifying work experience. For TEER 0 or TEER 1, the minimum requirement is CLB 7 in all four abilities. For TEER 2 or TEER 3, the minimum requirement is CLB 5 in all four abilities. Language test results must be valid on both the date the Express Entry profile is submitted and the date the permanent residence application is submitted. If results expire at either stage, the application will be refused.
Accepted language tests and required scores
IRCC accepts IELTS General Training and CELPIP General for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. Academic versions of language tests are not accepted. For IELTS General, CLB 7 requires Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0, while CLB 5 requires Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0. For CELPIP General, CLB 7 requires a score of 7 in each ability and CLB 5 requires a score of 5 in each ability.
NOC selection and duty alignment
NOC selection is determinative under CEC. IRCC assesses whether the applicant performed a substantial number of the main duties of the claimed NOC, including the lead statement. Copying NOC language into reference letters without reflecting actual duties is a frequent cause of refusal. If the duties align better with a different NOC than the one claimed, the application will be refused even if the applicant worked in Canada for the required period.
Employer reference letter requirements
Each period of claimed work experience must be supported by an employer reference letter printed on company letterhead and signed by an authorized representative. The letter must include exact employment dates, job title, number of hours worked per week, wage or salary, employment status, and a detailed description of duties. Missing information, vague duties, or inconsistencies between letters and pay records routinely result in refusal.
Express Entry profile accuracy and legal consequences
All information entered into the Express Entry profile is a legal declaration. Employment dates, hours, NOC codes, education, and language scores must exactly match the documents later submitted. Any discrepancy that affects eligibility or CRS score can result in refusal and potentially a misrepresentation finding carrying a five-year ban from Canada.
CRS score calculation under CEC
CEC applicants are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System, which assigns points for age, education, official language proficiency, Canadian work experience, and additional factors such as Canadian education or a provincial nomination. There is no minimum CRS score for eligibility, but applicants must meet the cutoff score for the specific draw in which they are invited.
Category based and CEC targeted draws
IRCC may conduct category based draws that prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience or specific occupational backgrounds. These draws can lower CRS cutoffs for CEC candidates, but eligibility for a category draw does not guarantee selection and draw criteria change without notice.
Status in Canada during a CEC application
Applicants must maintain valid temporary resident status in Canada while pursuing CEC unless applying from outside Canada. Gaps in status, unauthorized work, or overstays must be assessed before applying, as they can lead to refusal even where eligibility criteria are otherwise met.
Bridging open work permit (BOWP) eligibility
CEC applicants may apply for a bridging open work permit only after submitting a complete permanent residence application following an Invitation to Apply. The applicant must currently hold a valid work permit that expires within four months and must be physically present in Canada. Applying outside these conditions will result in refusal.
Common refusal reasons under CEC
Common refusal reasons include incorrect NOC selection, insufficient or generic reference letters, miscalculation of work hours, reliance on ineligible work experience, expired language tests, inconsistencies between profile information and documents, and undisclosed status issues.
What permanent residence through CEC grants
A successful CEC application results in permanent resident status, allowing the individual to live and work anywhere in Canada without employer restrictions and to access public healthcare and most social benefits. Permanent residence also allows eligibility for Canadian citizenship once physical presence requirements are met.
Government fees and processing realities
IRCC charges fixed government fees for permanent residence applications under Express Entry, payable directly to the government. Processing times vary widely depending on background checks, document completeness, and volume of applications, and are not guaranteed even for strong cases.
Our CEC legal services
Our services include eligibility and risk assessment, NOC analysis, CRS strategy, Express Entry profile preparation, employer letter drafting and review, document consistency review, legal submissions, response to IRCC procedural fairness letters, and full management of the application until a final decision is issued.
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