Quick Facts
Program overview
How the pathway operates
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is tailored specifically for temporary foreign workers and international student graduates who have accumulated at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. Because candidates have already integrated into the Canadian workforce, the program has no proof-of-funds requirement and offers dedicated program-specific selection rounds.
Managed under Express Entry, CEC candidates enter the general candidate pool. Throughout 2026, IRCC has held dedicated CEC draws alongside category-based rounds, offering candidates in Canada a direct mechanism to transition from work permits (such as PGWP or LMIA-backed permits) to Canadian Permanent Residence.
Key Eligibility Requirements
- At least 12 months (1,560 hours) of full-time (or equal part-time) skilled work experience in Canada within the 36 months prior to applying.
- Work experience must be in one or more NOC 2021 TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations.
- Work must have been performed legally with valid Canadian work authorization (e.g. PGWP, LMIA work permit, intra-company transfer).
- Language proficiency: minimum CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 and TEER 1 roles; minimum CLB 5 for NOC TEER 2 and TEER 3 roles.
- Plan to live and work outside the province of Quebec.
- Exclusions: Self-employment experience in Canada and work experience gained while registered as a full-time student (including co-op work permits) DO NOT count toward CEC eligibility.
Application roadmap
Step-by-Step Process to Permanent Residence
From initial qualification and profile creation through to final COPR landing.
Audit Canadian Hours & TEER
Confirm at least 1,560 hours of legal skilled employment across T4 tax slips, pay stubs, and employer verification letters.
Complete Language Examination
Take IELTS General, CELPIP-G, or PTE Core meeting CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2/3).
Obtain ECA (Optional but Recommended)
Get an ECA for foreign degrees to claim valuable education points on your CRS score.
Submit Express Entry Profile
Register your CEC profile in the candidate pool without needing to deposit settlement fund certificates.
Receive CEC or Category ITA
Secure an invitation during dedicated CEC rounds, category-based rounds, or provincial nominations.
Submit e-APR & Transition Status
Lodge your PR application and, if eligible, apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
Virtual Landing / e-COPR
Complete in-Canada PR confirmation via the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal.
Government Fees & Document Checklist
Review official IRCC fee tables, RPRF rules, police clearance guidelines, and full document checklists on the central Canada PR hub.
Candidate profile
Is this pathway right for you?
Who This Pathway Suits
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders who have completed 1+ year in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 position in Canada.
- Temporary foreign workers on LMIA or LMIA-exempt work permits with skilled Canadian employment history.
- Candidates in Canada wanting exemption from foreign settlement fund requirements.
Who Should Explore Other Routes
- Applicants with only overseas/foreign work experience.
- Workers whose Canadian experience was in TEER 4 or 5 roles (food counter attendant, cashier, general labourer).
- Individuals whose Canadian experience was acquired solely during full-time post-secondary study.
Frequently asked questions
Common Questions About CEC
No. Work experience gained while enrolled in full-time studies in Canada—even on an off-campus work permit or co-op work permit—does not count toward CEC eligibility. It can only count toward CRS points if foreign, not toward CEC qualification.
No. Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program which requires 1 continuous year, CEC work experience does not need to be continuous. It can be accumulated through multiple employment periods within the 3 years preceding your application date.
No. CEC applicants are completely exempt from IRCC settlement fund requirements, regardless of family size.
Yes. Once you submit an Express Entry profile, receive an ITA, and submit your full PR application (e-APR), you can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) to maintain legal work status in Canada while your PR application is processed.
An ECA is not mandatory to qualify for CEC. However, without an ECA, you cannot claim CRS points for your foreign diplomas or degrees, which could significantly lower your competitive ranking in the Express Entry pool.
Explore alternatives
Related Canada PR Pathways
Important Regulatory Notice
MovesEdu Immigration Pvt. Ltd. is a private educational and migration advisory consultancy, not a government body. Program rules, nomination allocations, settlement fees and intake windows change frequently — always verify current criteria on the official government portals linked on this page. All nomination, endorsement and permanent residency decisions rest exclusively with provincial/territorial authorities, participating communities, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). MovesEdu does not provide job placements, recruitment services, or arrange employment contracts.