Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Complete reference to the eligibility criteria, skilled work requirements, and draws for the CEC pathway.
The CEC is currently the most popular stream within Canada's Express Entry system. Because draws targeting CEC candidates exclude applicants residing overseas, they typically have lower CRS cutoff points, favoring temporary residents already working in Canada.
CEC Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you must satisfy three baseline requirements:
- Skilled Canadian Work Experience: Have at least **one year** (12 months) of full-time skilled work experience in Canada within the 3 years before you apply. The work must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- Hours Requirement: You must have completed at least **1,560 hours** of paid employment. Self-employment and work experience gained while enrolled full-time as a student (such as on a co-op placement) do not count.
- Language Benchmarks (CLB): Meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) threshold. You need **CLB 7** for jobs in TEER 0 or 1, and **CLB 5** for roles in TEER 2 or 3.
What Work Experience is Eligible?
IRCC checks your work history details to verify compliance:
- Full-Time Equivalents: Part-time work counts toward the 1,560 hours (e.g. 15 hours/week for 24 months), but you cannot accumulate the 1-year requirement in less than 12 months, even if you work 60 hours a week.
- Legal Status: You must have held valid temporary resident status and work authorization (such as a PGWP or an LMIA work permit) when the hours were accumulated.
- Excluded Work: Self-employed experience, volunteer hours, unpaid internships, and work experience gained while studying full-time are completely excluded.
How the Express Entry Pool Works
The CEC is processed through the federal Express Entry registry:
- Submit Profile: Create an online profile. The system automatically registers you under the CEC stream based on your Canadian work experience.
- Receive CRS Score: You enter the pool and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score out of 1,200 points.
- Receive ITA: If your score is above the cutoff during a CEC draw, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residency, allowing you to submit your final application within 60 days.
This guide compiles official Express Entry guidelines and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility parameters sourced directly from:
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) CEC Guide: canada.ca/cec-eligibility
• IRCC Work Experience Requirements for CEC: canada.ca/cec-work-rules